About Immaculate Conception Chapel at SFU · Loretto, Pennsylvania
Immaculate Conception Chapel is the Catholic chapel of Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, situated within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. It is staffed and served by Franciscan friars of the Third Order Regular (T.O.R.), who have shepherded the university since 1847. The chapel exists primarily to serve the sacramental and spiritual needs of the SFU campus community, offering daily Mass, weekly Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, and fellowship opportunities. While it functions as a university chapel rather than a territorial parish, the University is normally permitted to celebrate the sacrament of matrimony for alumni and members of the University community with permission from the rector of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, the local parish.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Stephen Waruszewski, T.O.R. (Director of Campus Ministry)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception Chapel welcomes everyone — students, faculty, alumni, and residents of the local Loretto community — to daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Reconciliation, and rich opportunities for prayer and fellowship. As the spiritual heart of Saint Francis University, the chapel is grounded in the Franciscan Catholic heritage of the T.O.R. friars who have served this campus since 1847, and offers daily Mass Monday through Friday, two Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration multiple times each week, Tuesday Night Praise and Worship, and ministries such as FOCUS, CRU, and Christian-Athlete Outreach. Campus Ministry staff are dedicated to meeting students wherever they are on their faith journey, supporting them through life's greatest decisions, and helping them deepen their relationship with God.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception Chapel at SFU
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday at 11:00 AM
- Sunday at 9:00 AM
- Sunday at 7:00 PM (except in summer)
- Tuesday at 8:30 PM (during Tuesday Night Praise and Worship)
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
- Tuesday and Thursday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM (Praise and Worship with Adoration in the Chapel)
About Immaculate Conception Chapel
Immaculate Conception Chapel was established to serve the sacramental and spiritual needs of the Saint Francis University community. Staffed by Franciscan friars of the Third Order Regular (T.O.R.), the chapel offers daily and weekend Mass, weekly Reconciliation, daily and extended Eucharistic Adoration, and a full slate of fellowship opportunities through Campus Ministry. While it functions as a university chapel rather than a territorial parish, the University is normally permitted to celebrate matrimony for alumni and members of the University community with permission from the rector of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel.
- All are welcome — students, teachers, and local community residents
- Part of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
- Rededicated December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) at the close of SFU's 175th anniversary
Chapel Schedule
The chapel's published schedule includes daily and Sunday Masses along with multiple weekly opportunities for Reconciliation and Adoration. (Note: Sunday 8:00 PM Mass and 7:00 PM confessions are typically suspended in the summer.)
- Daily Mass Monday–Wednesday–Friday at 12:00 noon
- Daily Mass Tuesday–Thursday at 12:15 PM
- Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM
- Confessions Friday 11 AM, Sunday 9 AM, Sunday 7 PM (except summer)
- Confession during Tuesday Night Praise and Worship at 8:30 PM
History of the Chapel
Saint Francis University's Franciscan T.O.R. friars have served the Loretto campus since 1847, when six friars from the Archdiocese of Tuam in Ireland arrived to clear land and build what would become the first Franciscan college in the United States. An earlier chapel of Mary Immaculate on the campus was destroyed by fire in 1942, and the current Immaculate Conception Chapel was dedicated in 1957 after a slow rebuilding process. A second fire damaged the chapel on May 17, 1996. Many original design concepts remained unfinished for decades until the 175th-anniversary renovation, led by Father Matthew Simons, T.O.R., then Director of Mission Integration.
- 1832 — Original Chapel Building of Prince Demetrius A. Gallitzin built in Loretto
- 1942 — Earlier chapel of Mary Immaculate destroyed by fire
- 1957 — Current Immaculate Conception Chapel dedicated
- May 17, 1996 — Fire damaged the rebuilt chapel
- December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) — Chapel rededicated at the close of SFU's 175th anniversary, with new liturgical lighting, stained glass, and mosaics
Architecture & Recent Renovation
For the university's 175th anniversary, the chapel underwent a comprehensive renovation designed to serve Mass, weddings, funerals, and occasional concerts. Rambusch Lighting of Jersey City developed a layered liturgical lighting system with preset scenes for each use, including a custom-made canopy concealing downlights over a suspended crucifix, altar, and chancel, plus uplights grazing the open ceiling peak with indirect light. Rambusch also designed and fabricated new stained glass windows for the narthex wall and the adjacent Agape Chapel, depicting Franciscan T.O.R. saints standing within vines in the Garden of Eden under a starry sky.
- Layered liturgical lighting with preset scenes for Mass, weddings, funerals, and concerts
- New stained glass in the narthex and Agape Chapel (Rambusch, Jersey City)
- Mosaics adorning the chapel walls
- New Immaculate Conception Chapel bell and tower (unveiled as a separate project)
Campus Ministry Staff
The chapel is served by Campus Ministry, whose staff is dedicated to supporting and meeting students wherever they are on their faith journey. Offices are located in Saint Francis Hall.
- Fr. Stephen Waruszewski, T.O.R. — Director of Campus Ministry (St. Francis Hall Rm. 6) — 814-472-2750 — [email protected]
- Fr. Chris Dobson, T.O.R. — Director of Liturgy (St. Francis Hall Rm. 4) — 814-472-3219 — [email protected]
- Fr. Will Shee — Campus Minister (St. Francis Hall Rm. 3) — 814-472-3439
- Mrs. Denise M. Farabaugh — Administrative Assistant, Campus Ministry & Center for Community Engagement (St. Francis Hall Rm. 2a) — 814-472-3172 — [email protected]
Fellowship Opportunities
Campus Ministry seeks to care for and nurture the spiritual needs of all students, regardless of denomination or faith tradition, and invites the campus community to learn about and become involved in the many spiritual opportunities offered.
- FOCUS
- CRU — meets Mondays at 7:00 PM in the Immaculate Conception Chapel
- Tuesday Night Praise — praise, worship, Eucharistic Adoration, and confession Tuesdays 8:30–9:30 PM in the Chapel
- Christian-Athlete Outreach (CAO) — Wednesdays at 9:00 PM in Stokes Hall
Sacraments
The chapel celebrates the Eucharist daily and offers Reconciliation on a published weekly schedule. The University is normally allowed to celebrate the sacrament of matrimony for alumni and other members of the University community, with permission from the rector of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel. During Holy Week, the chapel may also celebrate the sacraments of initiation — baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist — when there is sufficient student interest and preparation. Infant baptisms and funerals are rarely celebrated here, as the proper place for these liturgies is a parish.
- Eucharist — daily and Sunday
- Reconciliation — Friday, Sunday, and during Tuesday Praise and Worship
- Matrimony — for alumni and University community with parish rector's permission
- Initiation sacraments during Holy Week (when interest and preparation allow)
- Infant baptisms and funerals — deferred to local parishes
Places to Worship on Campus
Loretto is home to a rich spiritual history, and SFU offers several places on and near campus for prayer and reflection amid the busyness of college life.
- Immaculate Conception Chapel — daily Mass, two Sunday Masses, weekly Reconciliation, Adoration
- Acutis Chapel — intimate space near the Immaculate Conception Chapel used for quiet reflection, prayer, Bible studies, and small-group faith sharing
- Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
- Mount Assisi Gardens at Schwab Estate
- In the Community — including the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel
Giving & Contact
Sunday offertory contributions are restricted and used to pay for ongoing and future capital improvements to the Immaculate Conception Chapel. Checks payable to 'Saint Francis University' are processed by the Advancement Office and acknowledged by letter for tax purposes. For general inquiries, the Campus Ministry office can be reached by phone or email.
- Phone: 814-472-3172
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 132 Franciscan Way, Loretto, PA 15940
- Offertory checks payable to: Saint Francis University
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Christian Oravec, T.O.R.
Recipient of 1995 correspondence about proposed chapel improvements
- Fr. Thomas Carapella, T.O.R.
Wrote 1995 proposal letter to Fr. Christian Oravec regarding chapel improvements; author of 'Philadelphia's Catholic History in Loretto'
- Fr. Carl Szura, T.O.R.
Sent letter to Physical Plant Manager with inventory of items lost in the May 17, 1996 chapel fire
- Fr. Joe Chandler
Received report on damage and cause of the May 17, 1996 chapel fire
- Fr. Alfred Schendel, T.O.R.
Built the chapel pipe organ; wrote 1988 letter documenting its destruction during renovation; wrote to Fr. Christian in July 1992 about his contribution
- Fr. Matthew Simons, T.O.R.
As Director of Mission Integration, spearheaded the chapel renovation for the university's 175th anniversary
- Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R.
University President at the time of the chapel's rededication on December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)