New Chapel Rises from the Basement of Stritch

will begin construction on the new St Francis of Assisi Chapel in May that will hold 160 people, four times the number that can be supported now.

The new chapel will be in the southern wing of the second-floor hallway, in Bonaventure Hall.

Joseph Clarke of Groth Design Group, Inc., the firm that will complete the new facility, explained in his letter to the Fox Point Village Board that the new location is "grossly underused" and has "wonderful natural lighting and architectural appeal."

The original chapel was built in 1962 and was located in the university's basement. After years of decreasing attendance, a new chapel was built on the first floor in 2006, but was even smaller than the first. It was students who decided it was time for a bigger chapel. They presented a letter with 60 signatures supporting the need for something bigger to Interim President Kent Bergemann and the Board of trustees.

Stritch administrators agreed, and decided to build a new chapel in the underused second floor that overlooks the main entrance. So far, Clarke does not expect any outside changes to the building, only internal renovations.

"Cardinal Stritch University has the wonderful 'problem' of having out-grown their current chapel space," Clarke wrote. "The new location had the desired effect of making the various worship celebrations more visible, and has led to a steady increase in daily mass attendance."

The building plan is quick moving, with construction beginning in May and completion expected as early as this fall.

“It is fundamental to our identity as a Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition to not only encourage academic excellence, but also spiritual growth,” Bergemann said in a press release.

“Our new chapel will be a place where future generations of students, faculty, staff and visitors can gather to experience that vital spiritual core," he added.  "Our students’ hopes for a larger chapel renewed the inspiration and desire expressed by the sisters in 1962, and we thank them all for their vision.”