STEUBENVILLE — The Franciscan University of Steubenville completed a major renovation of Christ the King Chapel, unveiling it on Sunday after 15 months of work. This chapel has long been a central part of campus life, and the updates aim to enhance its role as a spiritual haven.
The renovation project, which cost $16.5 million, nearly doubled the chapel’s seating capacity from 325 to 590. New features include an altar, tabernacle, sacred art, and stained-glass windows. These changes reflect the university’s commitment to its growing community.
The chapel’s renovations were part of the larger Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign, which raised over $126 million for various campus initiatives. During a Mass of Solemn Blessing led by Bishop Edward M. Lohse, relics of saints were placed in the new altar, emphasizing the chapel’s connection to a rich spiritual history.
Bishop Lohse spoke about the importance of sacred spaces, noting that they should direct people’s hearts to Christ. He reminded attendees that the beauty of the chapel should mirror the faith of the community worshipping inside it. “Heavenly realities will commingle with those of earth,” he said. The chapel aims to be more than a building; it’s a place where many find transformation and encounter God.
Originally built in 1969, the chapel has a long history of spiritual service, including vocations and confessions. It has witnessed countless moments of spiritual growth. Rev. Dave Pivonka, the university’s president, highlighted the significance of continuing to build upon the past, much like St. Francis did with his chapels in Assisi. Pivonka expressed that what happens at Franciscan University resonates globally, as many lives have been touched by its mission.
Every aspect of the renovation was deliberately designed to teach faith and emphasize Franciscan principles. For example, visitors will notice a mural of Christ the King at the entrance, painted by an alumna. Other highlights include a baptismal font made from Egyptian marble and an expanded sanctuary featuring a starry ceiling symbolizing heaven.
The renovations also include three new side chapels dedicated to Mary, St. Joseph, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, as well as confessionals and spaces for private prayer. The chapel is growing not just in size but in its capacity to serve the spiritual needs of students and visitors alike.
This renovation reflects a broader trend among educational institutions to invest in meaningful spaces that foster community and personal growth. A recent survey shows that over 70% of students value spiritual resources on campus, indicating how vital these spaces are for personal and communal development.
As the campus shapes its future around this newly revitalized center of worship, it aims to cultivate saints who carry Christ’s grace into the world. “May this chapel always be a place of encounter and conversion,” Pivonka said, emphasizing the hope that the chapel will inspire faith for years to come.
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