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Interior of Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas

Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas

The Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas is a core element of the St. Paul campus of St. Thomas. Together with the Iversen Center for Faith, this is the spiritual heart of our campus.

Mass and Reconciliation are celebrated throughout the week.

We welcome all to the Chapel—our neighbors and others in the community, along with the students, faculty, and staff we are dedicated to serve.

Academic Year Chapel Hours

Monday–Friday: 6:45 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

*Summer Hours are subject to change

Chapel Use and Reservations

The Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas is available to the St. Thomas community (including alumni) for religious events, including:

Weddings
Funeral Masses and Memorial Services
Sacramental Preparation

Unique Features

In addition to the Chapel’s breathtaking architecture, the interior and exterior art is stunningly executed in wood, marble, paint and glass. Each piece of art, such as the Icon of Holy Thomas, is a unique treasure and was designed together to provide an artistic proclamation of Catholic faith.

Fr. Collins celebrates mass

Altar and Ambo

Archbishop Harry Flynn dedicated the new altar of the Chapel in March 2008. Designed by artist Alexander Tylevich, the altar is made of bronze and wood and incorporates the Tree of Life to recognize the altar as a symbol of the source of life.

Closeup of Crucifix

Crucifix

As a fulfillment of a gift of the class of 2004, St. Thomas commissioned artist Alexander Tylevich to fashion a new sanctuary crucifix. The 11-foot-tall crucifix, suspended above the altar, is made with polished bronze to reflect light from the stained-glass windows.

Symbolic gates in the chapel

Sanctuary Doors

Through the generosity of St. Thomas benefactors, the university commissioned Alexander Tylevich to design and create a sanctuary door, new altar and ambo, and inscribe into the sanctuary floor a hymn of the university's patron, Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Jacob Benda teaches organ to student

Organ

The large pipe organ, installed in July 1987, was built by Gabriel Kney of London, Ontario. The organ, housed in a classic Werkprinzip case, has 2,787 pipes. The case is made of red oak and the basswood pipe shades and grill over the Swell shutters were carved by Kney based on motifs in the paintings on the ceiling of the Chapel.

Statue of St. Thomas Aquinas

Statue of St. Thomas Aquinas (on the Northern Plaza)

Renowned artist Timothy Schmalz’s  features unseen wind that animates the figure’s clothing and carries the pages of his Summa Theologica skyward as they transform into a dove. Aristotle’s bust and Greek Ionic capitals give visual recognition to the range of Aquinas’ theology. This work symbolizes the pursuit of faith and reason.

Chapel arts logo over image of organ keys

Chapel Arts Series

The Chapel Arts Series is committed to facilitating opportunities to encounter the transcendent through meaningful engagement with artists and creators at St. Thomas and beyond. All events are free, open to the public, and held at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Chapel Arts Series
Outside view of Iversen Center for Faith

Iversen Center for Faith

The Iversen Center for Faith was built surrounding the chapel, retaining the majesty of the chapel while adding additional spaces for the university community to gather where faith can be celebrated and explored. The center is the home of Campus Ministry, the Hoedeman Gallery of Sacred Art, the Interfaith Meditation Room, Schoenecker Hall, and amphitheater.

Iversen Center for Faith

Other Places to Worship and Pray

St. Thomas offers multiple worship and prayer spaces and opportunities to worship on campus.