The Connor Chapel of Our Lady
Built in 1966, The Connor Chapel of Our Lady lives at the heart of the College's Roman Catholic tradition. It is here where the community gathers to celebrate and share in its continued renewal of faith.
Prior to The Chapel's existence, the College celebrated Mass in the gymnasium located in the basement of McDonough Hall, or in the small chapel on the second floor of Mercy Hall. In 1964, college administrators recognized the need to build a permanent place of worship and launched a fund-raising campaign. Joseph and Jane Cullen Connor, neighbors and friends of Saint Joseph College, expressed immediate interest in planning and funding a campus chapel. The project moved forward and the cost escalated to $900,000; the Connors agrees to contribute the entire amount. As Jane described it at The Chapel's dedication, the Connors saw their gift as the opportunity to give "beauty back to God."
Throughout the planning phase, Joseph struggled with his health. Only two weeks before the ceremonial groundbreaking, he passed away. On July 16, 1965, Jane broke ground on the long-awaited Chapel. As she dug the shovel into the earth, Jane murmured a prayer: "May all who enter this Chapel be saved." To this day the words exist, inscribed on the narthex floor inside the main doors. Since its completion over 40 years ago, The Chapel has continuously served the liturgical, academic and spiritual needs of all who enter.
