Christ Chapel

Hillsdale, Michigan

Christ Chapel in Hillsdale, Michigan, front facade, showing the round portico entrance - brick and limestone

The brick and limestone facade stands 70 feet tall and terminates a new quadrangle at the center of campus. The entrance portico is a tholos formed by eight Doric limestone columns crowned with a 32-foot self-supporting brick dome. In the narthex are symbols such as the Chi-Rho, Holy Trinity, Ark of the Covenant, and the Dove of the Holy Spirit. The nave limestone columns are 28 feet tall and are integrated with the structure of the building. Over the ten arches of the nave are gold-leaf escutcheons with fruits of the Holy Spirit: Caritas, Gaudium, Pax, Patientia, Benignitas, Bonitas, Fides, Modestia, Continentia, Castitas.

Christ Chapel Clock Tower
Rear elevation of Christ Chapel in Hillsdale, Michigan, showing the serliana window and the rusticated base - ionic order, brick, limestone
Round portico of Christ Chapel in Hillsdale, Michigan, showing three doors and the front steps, people talking in front
Structural masonry brick dome of Christ Chapel, Hillsdale College, Michigan - brick, limestone, unreinforced masonry
Front entrances of Christ Chapel, Hillsdale, labeled 'Fides,' 'Spes,' and 'Caritas,' meaning faith, hope, and charity
Narthex of Christ Chapel, Hillsdale College, Michigan, showing grey doric pilasters and roundels with Christian symbols - inlaid marble floor
Nave of Christ Chapel, Hillsdale, Michigan, from the Grand Orgue in the Organ Loft, showing the sacristy
Grand Organ in Christ Chapel, Hillsdale College, Michigan - Doric columns, barrel vault, balcony, like Philadelphia