The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Alumni Hall/Chapel

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Alumni Hall and Chapel (general view), Niagara University

Alumni Hall and Chapel (detail, front facade), Niagara University

Institution Name: Niagara University
Original/Historic Place Name: Alumni Chapel
Location on Campus: NW side
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1874-1888	original construction Unknown
ca. 1898	rebuilt after fire Unknown
1913	destruction by fire Unknown
1919	reopened after fire Unknown
1980	restoration Gilsoul, Benoit

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: stone

Walls: stone

Roof: slate

Function:

1888-present (2007)	chapel
ca. 2004-present (2007)	administration

Significance: architecture, culture, education, history, religion
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
Construction of Alumni chapel was a 14-year project that began in 1874 and was finished in 1888. Niagara University's fourth president, Father Robert E. V. Rice, C.M., hoped to build the chapel and to establish a congregation apart from the seminary chapel. Lack of funds, however, stalled the project until an alumnus, the Rev. James O'Conor, started a successful fund-raising project among the alumni in 1887.

The chapel was destroyed twice by fire, once in 1898 and again in 1913. After the second fire, it did not reopen until 1919. The first floor of the building is used for administrative offices, including the president's. The chapel is located on the second floor. Belgian-born artist Benoit Gilsoul oversaw the most recent restoration in the 1980s.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

McKey, Joseph. History of Niagara University and Seminary of Our Lady of Angels 1856-1931. Niagara County, NY: Niagara University, 1931.

Niagara University Alumni Chapel History and Guide. Niagara, NY: Niagara University Office of Public Relations, 1995.

Niagaran Centennial Edition Yearbook. [Niagara, NY: Niagara University], 1956.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections, Facilities Management Office