Fine art in college chapels is often representative of the faith and charism of a school. Generally speaking, the purpose of art in any chapel, first and foremost, glorifies the faith and beliefs of that religion. However, when chapels are built for schools, the fine art is designed as inspiration to the students, with stories of the faith built into the artwork or the ministry of the school illustrated through the lives of the saints, symbolism, or important events in the faith. For example, if a religious order is associated with the school, the chapel may feature artwork honoring the founder of that order. Further, the overall design of a university chapel can offer students, who are generally overwhelmed with coursework, a sanctuary away from their busy schedules and a place of both contemplation as well as inspiration.
Culinary Institute of America repurposed this former chapel, preserving its artistic beauty and integrity, to function as a dining hall for special events
As time passes, it can happen that school campuses change hands and/or the original chapel requires modification to suit the needs of the new school administration or student body. This requires a careful approach in order to remain respectful of the building’s historic integrity but also modify the construction to better serve the present and future generations. In our experience, our work in chapels has involved straightforward conservation and restoration, conversion of a religious space to a public use space, and new design that more expressively represents the faith and mission of the school.
In regards to chapel construction, design, and fine art, the focus is the same as any other church: to honor the Divine and precepts of the faith. When a campus chapel is at the center of community life, it acts as a kind of heartbeat for the school. In this case, the decoration and fine art are often designed with a twofold nod to both the faith and the mission of the school. In this manner, the chapel is crucial to the community’s identity. The new chapel design at Thomas Aquinas College in Northfield, Massachusetts (below), required the conversion of a beautiful, country gothic protestant interior to one uniquely catholic and representative of the college. This particular chapel is an excellent example of how a chapel is designed to reflect the mission and focus of the school; all campus life is bound up with the chapel at the center, and the chapel itself relays this relationship in the fine art and symbolism.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College Chapel, Northfield, MA
The college chapel is often designed with purposes beyond religious services since the large hall lends itself to numerous other types of school-related events. In this way, the use of a chapel may be used for lectures or concerts in addition to sacred purposes. Christ Chapel at Hillsdale College, completed in 2020, was designed with this multi-use intent. In the case of interiors like Battell Chapel or the Culinary Institute of America chapel converted dining hall, the school administration no longer required religious services but wanted to preserve the history of the construction. These interiors are beautiful examples of how religious spaces can be preserved, modified, and used if a school no longer requires a chapel.
Left: Battell Chapel Right: Hillsdale College Chapel
Having a quiet place on campus for reflection, silence, meditation, or prayer can be a sanctuary in and of itself. The peaceful setting of the chapel, surrounded by beautiful artwork and symbolism, is often a beloved haven for students. Further, the silent beauty inspires curiosity through the beloved art of storytelling. Stained glass windows, fine art paintings, and symbols all contribute to conveying the teachings and traditions of faith and often the school as well. For example, the chapel designed by Maginnis and Walsh for Newton Country Day School, a 19th-century girls’ school, featured stained glass windows with the lives of renowned female saints intentionally selected for the intrigue and inspiration of the young students. (Image to the Right: Stained Glass window depicting Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat at Newtown Country Day School)
At school, a student will have hundreds of choices of how to create a path, build their future, and ideally, make their world a little better. There will be thousands of voices directing and instructing, but in the end, it is up to each individual to shape their life. In that sense, peaceful reflection is invaluable. And since it is possible that beauty is the most powerful force for good, moving the heart to inspire wisdom and perseverance, it is reasonable that so many schools reserve a beautiful place on campus for prayer, reflection, and silence.
