2008 Woodie Awards
Breaking ground
Chapel cememony marks start of a new campus, a new era
Jenna Rignanese
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: News
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The beginnings of a new spiritual landmark took off as Sacred Heart's community gathered to break ground on the new chapel.
On Tuesday, a large tent was set up in the middle of the quad for the event. Inside students, faculty, trustees and members of the community congregated for prayer and song, ringing in the newest addition to the campus.
Students that were able to attend the event spoke highly of the ceremony and the plans for the new addition.
"I think it's really nice that teachers, students, and the community came out to the event," said Kaitlin Mulquem, sophomore, York, Maine. "The chapel we have is really small, so it's great that we will finally have somewhere to gather together."
Along with the Sacred Heart president, Dr. Anthony Cernera, James T. Morley, Jr., the Vice Chairman of the Sacred Heart University Board of Trustees led the welcome address for the groundbreaking ceremony.
Morley spoke about the significance of the chapel to our community and stirred up some laughs when he jokingly mentioned his hopes for the finished product to be on time and under budget.
"The purpose of this new project is for the glory of God and for our well-being," said Cernera.
The design plans for the chapel place the future structure on the quad between the Administration Building and the Academic Building.
Sasaki associates, a world- class architectural firm, designed the project. They are known for their meticulous work on academic institutions such as Harvard University, Boston College, Johns Hopkins, MIT and Trinity College in Hartford.
Sasaki won first prize in the international design competition for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
The lay out of the chapel will seat 500 people and will also house a 50-seat Blessed Sacrament chapel. A bell tower with four unique bells and a large cross will suspend high in the air for all to see. The largest bell will weigh 1,500 pounds and will measure 41 inches in diameter; the smallest will weigh 447 pounds and be 27 inches in diameter. The bells will be made of steel and bronze and are intended to look as good as they sound.
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