New Chapel Set for Fall 2010 Completion

By: Kaitlyn Boisvert
Posted In: News

As the new academic year begins at Salve Regina University, the campus is frequently bustling with student life during the day. Students walk to class, participate in activities and attend organized events. At some point during their regular routines, students walk past a construction site, located on Ochre Avenue between Ochre Court and McAuley Hall. The site contains bulldozers, a herd of diligent workers and a large sign promising the assembly of a new chapel. A few students may look and consider the work-in-progress development, while others may just glide right by it without a second glance. What they do not realize is that this growing edifice before them is a result of strenuous planning, and both the desire and courage expressed to bring a shared dream into reality.

After they founded Salve Regina University, the Sisters of Mercy allocated the wish of building a chapel for the campus. They envisioned a beautiful, spiritual building that could make people feel welcome and serene. Such a place would no doubt be a perfect addition for the overall pious and peaceful atmosphere of the Salve Regina campus.

In October 2008, the project made its first transition from thought into substance when it was proposed. A month later, members of the campus committee gathered upon the grounds of the future chapel to commemorate a formal ceremony, blessing the site. The long-occurring dream of the Sisters of Mercy had finally begun to flourish.

For this shared vision to truly succeed, a lot of cooperation and teamwork currently has to be executed among many of the Salve Regina committee. The Mercy Center for Spiritual Life is part of the vast entourage that contributes towards assisting Sister Therese, chancellor, and long-time supporter of the project, in planning the construction of the chapel. Philip M. Fiadino, the campus minister, along with the rest of the Mercy Center staff, make recommendations for new liturgical appointments and investments that shall be needed, such as candlesticks and communion cups. They also expressed opinions regarding the style of the Ambo (Pulpit), Baptismal Font and the Altar of Reservation for the Eucharist. Thankfully, the whole planning group shared the same image of the chapel.

All the funds of the new chapel project total to $7 million. According to Katherine Horoschak, the director of major gifts and planned giving, $4 million has already been raised. This may seem like a big investment; however, a beautiful monument offering peace and security will be worth every cent.

With the exterior designed by Robert A.M. Stern, honorary graduate and friend of the University, the future chapel will resemble an old-fashioned English cathedral, which will allow future Salve alumni to host their weddings within. The complete project will cover 5,300 square feet, and the interior, designed by local architect Richard Quinn, FAIA, will contain three major components: Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, an Interfaith Prayer Room and the Spiritual Life Center. The staff of the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life expresses much exhilaration upon their future relocation within the garden level of the new chapel. Their current location at Ochre Court does not provide adequate space. They feel that the new location will feel more spacious, along with making campus ministry and campus programs more accessible to students and faculty.

The Our Lady of Mercy Chapel will seat 242 people, an upgrade from Salve’s current chapel within Ochre Court, which can fit only 75 people. Horoschak hopes that the new chapel will also supersede the current one popularity-wise; for unfortunately, not many students use the present chapel. Hopefully the new, beautiful installation will attract more visitors. With multiple doorways protruding outside of it, inviting all people of all religions to come inside.

Perhaps the most interesting fact regarding the new chapel is the pieces of history that will be incorporated into its structure. Five renovated, 19th-century opalescent glass windows, created by noted artist John La Farge, will adorn an alcove within the Interfaith Prayer Room. His three largest creations feature Madonna, Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. These beautiful, explicit works will clearly captivate and inspire patrons, with their intriguing and explicit beauty. Another part of the chapel’s historic preservation is the three bells, dated from 1910, that used to call people to prayer at the Holy Trinity Church in Lawrence, Mass., and that will soon begin a new history at Salve.

This exciting project should be completed in the fall of 2010. The entire committee that had worked diligently towards its development feel exhilarated to witness its growth, and feel ecstatic at the thought of the final finished result, a lovely chapel that emits peace and hospitality, and that offers people a place for contemplation and spiritual enrichment.

On September 26, 2009, Katherine Horoschak shall provide a tour of the chapel site from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. She encourages students to attend. Bring your family and friends!