FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A dream come true. The message rang almost universally through the arched oratory of the new Saint Francis Chapel, dedicated Wednesday to serving the spiritual needs of the University of Saint Francis and local community.
The dream spans 54 years, from the time the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration moved Saint Francis College from Lafayette, Ind. to the John Bass estate in west-central Fort Wayne in 1964.
A capacity crowd of alumni, friends, and supporters packed the new chapel located at the center of campus on the east side of Mirror Lake, eager to witness and celebrate the project’s success and impact.
“We’ve been waiting a long time, so it’s awesome to be finally dedicating our new chapel,” said USF President Sister M. Elise Kriss, OSF. “I’m looking forward to what it does to our campus, enriching students’ intellectual and spiritual lives.”
“It’s a dream come true for all of us, especially the Sisters,” said Don Schenkel, Interim President of PHP, retired bank executive and former USF Vice President of University of Relations.
For years, a small chapel had occupied the southwest lower level of Trinity Hall. A free-standing place of worship had long been desired. “It’s a dream come true to have a dedicated building for the worship of God,” said Sister M. Anita Holzmer, Assistant Vice President of Mission Integration.
Vice President of Institutional Advancement Dr. Matt Smith called the chapel “a dream of many years,” and spoke of its iconic nature. “It will profoundly affect campus in representing our mission and values,” he said. “You can see it from Leesburg Road and Spring Street, a beacon of faith and reason.”
The inviting new chapel incorporates soothing colors of green, tan and blue, a succession of arches leading to the altar, clerestory windows and a cupola with windows showcasing moving clouds.
Seating for 250 persons, a central location and adjacent parking off Leesburg Road will bring the sorely needed space and convenience to the worship experience. A 360-degree view of campus will provide aesthetic views and invite contemplation.
The chapel will serve as a foundation for the university’s Campus Ministry offerings for students. Worshippers may enjoy Mass in the new chapel daily at 11:30 a.m. and on Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
Most Reverend Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, performed dedication ceremonies and read from scripture. “This will truly be the dwelling place of the Lord,” he said. “His body and blood will be celebrated and preserved. This oratory is God’s dwelling, A house of prayer and home for his spirit.”
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 70 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the School of Health Sciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership and School of Creative Arts. In addition to its traditional programs, USF designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the university’s business and music technology programs while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis campus experience includes 16 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships, and is recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution. Approximately 2,200 students from a broad geographic region attend USF.