St. Francis Chapel

About St. Francis Chapel

The Oratory of St. Francis of Assisi—known on campus as St. Francis Chapel—is the freestanding Catholic chapel of the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the visual and spiritual center of that Catholic Franciscan campus. Built in 2018 after a 54-year wait, it rises 76 feet above the east shore of Mirror Lake and hosts daily Mass, Confessions, Eucharistic Adoration, Praise and Worship nights, and the diocese's televised Sunday Mass. Operated by the Office of Campus Ministry under the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, it serves roughly 2,200 students, faculty and staff and welcomes members of the surrounding Fort Wayne community.

History & Dedication

A standalone chapel was a long-held dream of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration dating to 1964, when they relocated Saint Francis College from Lafayette to the John Bass estate in west-central Fort Wayne. For decades Mass was celebrated in a small chapel in the lower level of Trinity Hall. In 2017, as part of USF's $22.7 million Faith and Reason capital campaign, the university committed $4.7 million to build the new chapel. On Oct. 3, 2018 Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend blessed the new chapel and dedicated its altar, sealing a relic of St. Francis of Assisi into the altar's stone top. USF President Sister M. Elise Kriss, OSF, called the day 'a dream come true,' and longtime supporter Don Schenkel said, 'It's a dream come true for all of us, especially the Sisters.'

• 1964: Sisters move Saint Francis College from Lafayette, Ind. to Fort Wayne
• 2016: USF institutes 'Sacred Time,' pausing university activities for daily Mass
• 2017: $4.7 million chapel funded within USF's $22.7 million Faith and Reason capital campaign
• Oct. 3, 2018: Bishop Rhoades blesses chapel, incenses altar, seals relic of St. Francis of Assisi
• 2018–onward: Weekly televised Sunday Mass continues from the oratory for the diocese

Architecture & Sacred Art

Designed by liturgical architect William Heyer with Design Collaborative as architect of record, the Oratory of St. Francis of Assisi uses sacred geometry to fuse a Greek-cross plan, octagonal cupola and temple-like porticoes into a contemporary interpretation of Romanesque and Byzantine monumentality. At roughly 6,000 square feet and 250–300 seats, it is intentionally the tallest structure on USF's campus, visible from Spring Street, Leesburg Road and nearly any point on the grounds. Its centerpiece is a 35-foot-tall octagonal cupola ringed by eight stained-glass windows each over 10 feet tall.

• Greek-cross plan with octagonal cupola and temple-like porticoes
• Clerestory windows and cupola windows bathing the altar in natural light
• Color palette of green, tan and blue evoking a contemplative atmosphere
• Large San Damiano cross behind the altar (a Franciscan symbol of St. Francis's call to rebuild the Church)
• Choir loft and dedicated adoration space inside the 76-foot-tall structure
• Custom liturgical furnishings and custom windows throughout

Leadership & Service

Campus Ministry stewards a network of formation programs, student leadership roles and service trips that flow out of the chapel. 'Leadership' and 'service' are intentional synonyms at Saint Francis: every program is designed to build community while deepening the students' relationship with Christ. Students can serve as Student Missionaries helping to plan worship events and lead Bible studies and prayer groups, or apply to the four-year Assisi Program for Discipleship & Leadership, which pairs formation with a Catholic Leadership minor and a $6,000-per-year Room & Board scholarship for up to ten first-year students annually.

• Student Missionaries (open to sophomores, juniors and seniors)
• Spiritual Leadership Formation Program (year-long: human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral formation)
• Assisi Program for Discipleship & Leadership — four-year cohort, Catholic Leadership minor, scholarships
• Christian Appalachian Project (annual spring break service trip)
• Formula for Life (annual service trip to Haiti)
• U Can Crush Hunger (Community Harvest Food Bank)
• MLK Service Events
• March for Life trips (Fort Wayne and Washington, D.C.)

Worship & Liturgical Arts

In keeping with the charism of the sponsoring Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, the Oratory of St. Francis of Assisi is 'a campus community infused with the joy of the Eucharist.' Beyond the daily schedule, the chapel houses a choir loft, an adoration space and custom liturgical furnishings; Sunday evenings include Rosary, silence and Evening Prayer.

Chaplaincy & Clergy

The chapel is served by a diocesan priest appointed by the Bishop of Fort Wayne–South Bend as Chaplain of the University of Saint Francis. Fr. Patrick Hake has served as chaplain in recent years, presiding at the May 2025 baccalaureate Mass and continuing as chaplain while in residence at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The diocese has announced Rev. Oscar Duarte as the next chaplain, effective Sept. 1, 2026. Sr. Mary John Pultorak coordinates the chapel's roster of official adorers; Adoration appointments can be arranged by emailing [email protected].

• Rev. Patrick Hake — Chaplain ([email protected])
• Sr. Mary John Pultorak — Adoration coordinator ([email protected])
• Rev. Oscar Duarte — incoming Chaplain, effective Sept. 1, 2026

Franciscan Identity & Core Values

All USF students take core classes that teach them the values of St. Francis and how to use them in their lives. These values are drawn from the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration and are at the heart of why the chapel exists: to make the Catholic, Franciscan mission visible at the center of campus.

• Reverence for the dignity of each person
• Encouragement of a trustful, prayerful community of learners
• Service to each other, society and the Catholic Church
• Working for peace and justice
• Respect for creation