About Our Lady of Grace - Briar Cliff University · Sioux City, Iowa
The Chapel of Our Lady of Grace is the Catholic chapel of Briar Cliff University, a private Franciscan university in Sioux City, Iowa. Designed in the Prairie School style by Chicago architect Barry Byrne and dedicated in 1959 by Bishop Joseph Mueller, the small chapel has served the Briar Cliff community of students, faculty, staff, and neighbors for more than 60 years. It hosts the university Sunday evening Mass, weekday Masses, Reconciliation, Morning Prayer, Bible study, retreats, and a variety of academic, musical, and liturgical events during the academic year. It is one of two Jubilee pilgrimage sites designated by the Diocese of Sioux City for Pope Leo XIV's Year of St. Francis (2025–2027), the other being St. Francis of Assisi Church in Rockwell City.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- Our Lady of Grace
- Rector
- Fr. Brad Pelzel (Sacramental Minister)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City
Why belong here
Our Lady of Grace is the spiritual heart of Briar Cliff University and welcomes students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding Sioux City community to worship and serve together in the Franciscan tradition. The chapel hosts a Sunday evening 'Sundays on the Cliff' Mass with Adoration and Reconciliation beforehand, weekday Masses, ecumenical Bible study, Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer, retreats (Newcomers, Busy Person's, Antioch), and OCIA for those becoming Catholic or preparing for Confirmation. Whether you are a Charger looking to grow deeper in faith, a neighbor seeking a weekday Mass, or a pilgrim visiting one of the Diocese of Sioux City's two Jubilee Year of St. Francis sites, Our Lady of Grace offers a small but lively place to pray, serve, and belong.
Mass times at Our Lady of Grace - Briar Cliff University
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 6:15 PM (per Briar Cliff Campus Ministry page)
- Sunday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (per CatholicMassTime.org)
- Sunday 6:00 PM – 6:50 PM (per Discover Mass)
Adoration times
- Sunday 5:30 PM – 6:20 PM
About Our Lady of Grace Chapel
The Chapel of Our Lady of Grace is the Catholic chapel of Briar Cliff University, a private Franciscan university in Sioux City, Iowa. For more than 60 years it has served as a dedicated place of worship for students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding Sioux City community. The chapel hosts Masses, the sacraments, academic and religious ceremonies, music concerts and recitals, retreats, Bible study, and other gatherings during the academic year. Summer and holiday breaks affect the regular schedule, so the campus ministry office encourages visitors to call ahead.
- Franciscan tradition — 'we serve others, care for each other and creation, and we are open to all'
- Welcomes individuals from every faith background and belief system
- Public access during the academic year for private prayer, Mass, and Reconciliation
History of the Chapel
The chapel was completed in 1959, a year that also saw the addition of the Bishop Mueller Library to the Briar Cliff campus. It was dedicated by Bishop Joseph Mueller of the Diocese of Sioux City under the patronage of Our Lady of Grace — a Marian title that, in the chaplain's words, refers to Mary's 'close relationship with Christ her son and the salvation of the world by the Grace of God.' In 2026 the Diocese of Sioux City designated Our Lady of Grace as one of two Jubilee pilgrimage sites for the Year of St. Francis proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV to mark the 800th anniversary of St. Francis's transitus.
- 1959 — Chapel completed and dedicated by Bishop Joseph Mueller
- 2016 — Möller pipe organ refurbished thanks to a late alumni's estate gift
- Original bell tower removed after structural damage
- 2025–2027 — Designated Jubilee pilgrimage site for the Year of St. Francis
Architecture & Features
The chapel was designed by Barry Byrne of Chicago in the Prairie School style — what the campus ministry director calls 'the first truly American architectural style.' Byrne was the first American to design a Catholic church outside of the United States. The design has been preserved for more than 65 years. A three-manual, 25-rank pipe organ with 27 stops, built in 1959 by M. P. Möller (Opus 9270), anchors the chapel's liturgical music and was fully refurbished in 2016.
- Architect: Barry Byrne (Chicago)
- Style: Prairie School — 'the first truly American architectural style'
- Pipe organ: 3-manual, 25-rank, 27 stops — M. P. Möller Opus 9270 (1959, refurbished 2016)
- Original bell tower: removed after structural damage
Sisters of St. Francis Prayer Garden
Adjacent to the chapel is a small prayer garden dedicated to the Sisters of Saint Francis, the religious order that founded Briar Cliff in 1930. The garden contains a statue of Saint Francis and a statue of Saint Anthony. As visitors enter the courtyard they see a plaque listing the Sisters who have made an impact on the Briar Cliff community. Students and faculty are regularly found admiring the flowers and nature there throughout the year.
- Statues of St. Francis and St. Anthony
- Commemorative plaque honoring Sisters who shaped Briar Cliff
Mass, Sacraments & Devotions Schedule
The chapel's flagship liturgy is 'Sundays on the Cliff,' a Sunday evening Mass preceded by Adoration and Reconciliation. The chapel also celebrates weekday Masses Monday through Friday and offers Morning Prayer in two forms — a Christian prayer service on Mondays and Tuesdays and the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Ecumenical Bible study meets weekly, and a monthly 'Faith, Food, Friends' gathering brings the community together over a meal.
- Sunday Mass: 7:00 PM (Sundays on the Cliff)
- Sunday Adoration: 5:30 PM – 6:20 PM
- Sunday Reconciliation: ~6:00–6:30 PM
- Weekday Masses: Mon 8:00 AM, Tue 11:55 AM, Wed 8:00 AM, Thu 9:00 PM, Fri 8:00 AM
- Morning Prayer (Christian): Mon/Tue 8:30 AM
- Morning Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours): Wed/Thu 8:30 AM
- Bible Study: Mondays 8:00–9:00 PM
- Faith, Food, Friends: 1st Thursday, 11:00 AM
Campus Ministry & Faith Formation
Campus Ministry at Briar Cliff focuses on integrating faith and action through events, services, organizations, and volunteer opportunities. It runs the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for those discerning becoming Catholic or for baptized Catholics who have not yet been confirmed, along with three signature retreats and weekly Bible study.
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (contact Michael Horka)
- Weekly Ecumenical Bible Study
- Newcomers Retreat (student-led, start of fall semester)
- Busy Person's Retreat
- Antioch Retreat (student-led, digital 'unplug' weekend)
Jubilee Year of St. Francis Pilgrimage Site
Pope Leo XIV declared a Jubilee Year for St. Francis of Assisi to mark the 800th anniversary of the saint's death and transitus to heaven (10 January 2025 to 10 January 2027). The Diocese of Sioux City selected Our Lady of Grace Chapel at Briar Cliff University — along with St. Francis of Assisi Church in Rockwell City — as pilgrimage sites where the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence. To receive the indulgence, pilgrims must receive the sacrament of reconciliation within 20 days of the visit, attend Mass and receive the Eucharist, make a pilgrimage to the site while reciting the Creed, recite the Lord's Prayer, and pray for the Holy Father's intentions.
- Designated pilgrimage site for the Year of St. Francis
- Plenary indulgence available to pilgrims
- Pilgrims welcomed during academic year while classes are in session
Chapel Staff & Clergy
The chapel is served by Briar Cliff University's Campus Ministry team, working alongside a Sacramental Minister from the Diocese of Sioux City. Father Travis Crotty serves as chaplain and diocesan director of vocations, and Fr. Brad Pelzel serves as Sacramental Minister. The campus ministry team includes a Director, Associate Campus Minister, and supporting staff who organize retreats, OCIA, Bible study, and service opportunities.
- Fr. Brad Pelzel — Sacramental Minister
- Fr. Travis Crotty — Chaplain and Diocesan Director of Vocations
- Sr. Janet May — Director of Campus Ministry
- Dr. Michael Horka — Director of Campus Ministry
- Gil Ridenour — Associate Campus Minister
- Stella Nneji — staff contact ([email protected])
Visit & Contact
Our Lady of Grace Chapel sits on the clifftop Briar Cliff University campus at 3303 Rebecca Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51104. The chapel is open to the public for private prayer, Mass, and Reconciliation while classes are in session. Regular academic-year programming pauses during summer and holiday breaks.
- Address: 3303 Rebecca Street, Sioux City, IA 51104
- Campus Ministry phone: (712) 279-5227
- University main phone: (712) 279-5200
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: briarcliff.edu