Chapel of Christ the Teacher, Bell Tower and Marian Garden
Chapel of Christ the Teacher
The Chapel of Christ the Teacher was dedicated on the 5th of October 1986. The name of the chapel expresses an essential theme of University life, as is explicitly stated in the 2001 brochure: “The Chapel of Christ the Teacher is the University’s mission encapsulated: a space for teaching and learning, for prayer and spiritual journey, and for service to others – which, of course, is active prayer.”
Fun Facts
- Chapels located in the individual residence halls served the religious needs of the campus community until St. Mary’s dual use as Student-Union by (week) day and University Chapel over the weekend began in 1965.
- The Chapel of Christ the Teacher was the University's first building designed and dedicated as a chapel.
- The Muslim Prayer Room was first fitted out around 1977.
- Each oak column of the front portico is engraved with the symbol of one of the four evangelists, LeRoy Setziol, artist.
- The Chapel of Christ the Teacher was designed by Oregon architect, Pietro Belluschi.
Bell Tower, 2009; Marian Garden, 1996 and 2009
The Bell Tower stands at 106 feet, the tallest structure on campus. The Marian Garden is the garden space between the Bell Tower and the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. Formally the Galati Memorial Marian Garden, the Garden was modified and incorporated into the Bell Tower Plaza.
Fun Facts
- The two principal bells were christened for Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau, CSC and for Saint Andre Bessette, CSC. The Blessed Basil Moreau bell rings the note of G. The Saint Andre Bessette bell rings the note of A.
- Early Sketches of ‘Proposed Campus Growth’ include multiple campus bell towers: 1927 plans housed the bells in the central arch of a hoped-for gothic chapel; in 1957 the plans show a dedicated campanile beside a proposed chapel.
- Campus bells began ringing with the 1948 installation of a carillon (which was subsequently destroyed in the 1969 fire which razed the University theater and music buildings where Mago Hunt Center is today). In 1969 a new set of bells were again heard on campus when a 25-bell Coronation Carillon was installed in St. Mary's Chapel. The speakers on the roof of St. Mary’s sent the sound of ringing bells across the campus.
- Visitors to the Marian Garden Plaza follow the colored bolts along the path of the rosary walk. The seven color rays extending out from the Bell Tower symbolize the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The living ray encapsulates Mary.
- Four basalt stone plinths listing the mysteries of the rosary frame a rosary walk within the garden.
Chapel of Christ the Teacher, Bell Tower and Marian Garden
Chapel of Christ the Teacher
The Chapel of Christ the Teacher was dedicated on the 5th of October 1986. The name of the chapel expresses an essential theme of University life, as is explicitly stated in the 2001 brochure: “The Chapel of Christ the Teacher is the University’s mission encapsulated: a space for teaching and learning, for prayer and spiritual journey, and for service to others – which, of course, is active prayer.”
Fun Facts
- Chapels located in the individual residence halls served the religious needs of the campus community until St. Mary’s dual use as Student-Union by (week) day and University Chapel over the weekend began in 1965.
- The Chapel of Christ the Teacher was the University's first building designed and dedicated as a chapel.
- The Muslim Prayer Room was first fitted out around 1977.
- Each oak column of the front portico is engraved with the symbol of one of the four evangelists, LeRoy Setziol, artist.
- The Chapel of Christ the Teacher was designed by Oregon architect, Pietro Belluschi.
Bell Tower, 2009; Marian Garden, 1996 and 2009
The Bell Tower stands at 106 feet, the tallest structure on campus. The Marian Garden is the garden space between the Bell Tower and the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. Formally the Galati Memorial Marian Garden, the Garden was modified and incorporated into the Bell Tower Plaza.
Fun Facts
- The two principal bells were christened for Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau, CSC and for Saint Andre Bessette, CSC. The Blessed Basil Moreau bell rings the note of G. The Saint Andre Bessette bell rings the note of A.
- Early Sketches of ‘Proposed Campus Growth’ include multiple campus bell towers: 1927 plans housed the bells in the central arch of a hoped-for gothic chapel; in 1957 the plans show a dedicated campanile beside a proposed chapel.
- Campus bells began ringing with the 1948 installation of a carillon (which was subsequently destroyed in the 1969 fire which razed the University theater and music buildings where Mago Hunt Center is today). In 1969 a new set of bells were again heard on campus when a 25-bell Coronation Carillon was installed in St. Mary's Chapel. The speakers on the roof of St. Mary’s sent the sound of ringing bells across the campus.
- Visitors to the Marian Garden Plaza follow the colored bolts along the path of the rosary walk. The seven color rays extending out from the Bell Tower symbolize the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The living ray encapsulates Mary.
- Four basalt stone plinths listing the mysteries of the rosary frame a rosary walk within the garden.