After almost a full year without the historic and iconic Chapel, the scaffolding that was on the Chapel during the renovations has been removed, and students are now free to enter the building.

The historic college Chapel, built in 1827, was one of the first buildings on campus, reopened on Nov. 18 after a renovation period that had been going on since Mar. The building closed down to all members of the college community during the renovations, even those who usually work in the building. Services were temporarily being held in the Events Barn and Bristol Center, so the reopening of the chapel provides a central building for religious activities. Religious services, as well as Meditation Club and some performances, have now returned to the chapel.

The main changes in the renovations were to the steeple of the chapel, which is often used as a symbol of the College. These improvements are designed to preserve the aging chapel, along with the history behind it. Prior to the renovations, the wooden frame that held up the steeple was rotten and in poor condition. According to the College website, several color changes were made to the chapel as well, as “the formerly all-white steeple now has accents of gray and green, and the dome and the quill weathervane have gone from a bright new-penny copper to a shade of gold.” Several lights were also added in various parts of the chapel. Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects conducted the renovations, wit a total cost of $3.1 million.

Charlie Haberstock ’25 said that he looks forward to spending time in the chapel now that the renovations are finished.

“The chapel is really just a great space. It’s very peaceful, there’s a lot of comfy seating and it’s a very special place to be on campus,” he said.

College chaplain Rev. Jeffrey McArn said that while the chapel was historically associated with Christianity, more recently it has become a place that all members of the College community can enjoy, regardless of religious affiliation. He added that due to its housing of Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious offices, as well as other spiritual activities, the chapel is a special place on campus.“We try to make it an open space that can absorb different religious moments and experiences,” he said.

The versatility of the building is another aspect that makes it unique. The building’s first floor hosts religious services and events and the third floor is used as a study and meditation space.

“The space downstairs of course can seat a lot of people but it can also host an intimate gathering. Up on the third floor we really tried to make it seem like a home environment, the library, the couches, a kitchen make it a place to study and or just to be between classes,” McArn said.

While the steeple of the chapel was restored, minimal changes were made to the interior of the building. McArn hopes that in the future, the College adds elevators to the building in order to make the upper levels of the building more accessible for all students.

Haberstock said that he plans to study on the quiet third floor of the building, and many other students already do. These restorations of the Chapel ensures that the space is available for students to use now and in the future.