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.
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
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
Archbishop John Ireland commissioned the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas, which was completed in 1919 by famed architect Emmanuel Masqueray, who was also a friend of the St. Thomas founder. Masqueray also designed the Cathedral of St. Paul and the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.
The Chapel was dedicated on May 29, 1919. Monsignor James Reardon called the chapel “the last and best gift of Archbishop Ireland to his beloved college.”
Architect Emmanuel Masqueray’s design is based on a Latin cross, with a nave 95 feet long and 43 feet wide. In his 1997 book, “The Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas,” Monsignor James Lavin noted “the magnificent spaciousness and the pleasing relationship between the greater and lesser arches” of the Chapel.
Complementing the incredible architecture itself is the execution over several decades of the master plan within, designed by Father Walter LeBeau, a longtime St. Thomas faculty member and director of religion. Throughout the windows, walls and ceilings, “an artistic course in Catholic theology portraying nothing less than ‘the whole plan of God’s dealing with men’” can be seen.
With a focus on revitalizing the Chapel as a symbol of faith on campus, renovations completed in 2020 include:
Countless life-defining events—from weddings to funerals, to Masses and concerts—have taken place for members of the St. Thomas community within the Chapel’s sacred doors. In the century since its dedication, the Chapel has stood on the upper quad as the University of St. Thomas grew and evolved around it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Renowned artist Timothy Schmalz’s bronze sculpture of our patron saint 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.
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.
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.
St. Thomas offers multiple worship and prayer spaces and opportunities to worship on campus.