About University of Saint Thomas - Chapel of St. Basil · Houston, Texas
The Chapel of St. Basil is the heart of Catholic worship on the campus of the University of St. Thomas (UST), a private Catholic university in Houston's Montrose neighborhood founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1947. Completed in 1997 as the architectural capstone of the university's Academic Mall, the chapel was designed by the renowned architect Philip Johnson and named for St. Basil the Great, a fourth-century bishop and Doctor of the Church. It serves as the daily liturgical center for the UST community, offering Mass in English, Spanish, and Latin (Novus Ordo) throughout the academic year, celebrated by Basilian Fathers and priests of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
- Established
- 1997
- Patron
- St. Basil the Great
- Rector
- Fr. Eduardo Rivera, CSB (Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
The Chapel of St. Basil is a daily-liturgical Catholic chapel at the heart of the University of St. Thomas, offering the Eucharist every day in English, Spanish, and Latin (Novus Ordo) by Basilian Fathers and Archdiocesan priests. The campus community gathers there for weekday confession, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, retreats, RCIA and Adult Confirmation preparation, liturgical ministry, music ministry, and small-group faith formation. The chapel itself — an award-winning Philip Johnson landmark facing the Doherty Library across the Academic Mall — is a visible expression of the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Basilian charisms of goodness, discipline, knowledge, and community.
Mass times at University of Saint Thomas - Chapel of St. Basil
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 11:20 AM (during academic year)
- Tuesday 11:20 AM (during academic year)
- Wednesday 11:20 AM (during academic year)
- Friday 11:20 AM (during academic year)
- By appointment (call 713-525-3589 or email [email protected])
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration with Exposition and Benediction, during the academic year)
- Weekly Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (academic year)
- Students invited to commit to a weekly 30-minute prayer time during Exposition
Chapel of St. Basil — A Philip Johnson Landmark
Designed by the late architect Philip Johnson and completed in 1997, the Chapel of St. Basil is the architectural capstone of the University of St. Thomas Academic Mall. Its exterior is composed of three pure geometric forms — a 50-foot white stucco cube, a sphere for the gold-leafed dome, and a black granite plane that slices through both. The chapel stands in deliberate visual contrast to the rose-colored St. Joe brick of Johnson's original 1950s campus buildings (Strake, Jones, and Welder halls). The Chapel and Doherty Library anchor opposite ends of the Academic Mall, embodying the university's perpetual dialogue between faith and reason.
- Architect: Philip Johnson (final Houston project)
- Completed and dedicated June 7, 1997, by Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza
- Construction cost approximately $6 million
- Seating for about 225
- Exterior: white stucco cube + gold dome + black granite plane
Liturgical Life and Daily Mass
Mass is offered every day during the academic year — twice daily Sunday through Thursday and daily on Friday — by the Basilian Fathers and priests of the faculty and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The schedule intentionally includes Mass in English, Spanish, and Latin (Novus Ordo) to serve the diverse UST community. A summer Mass schedule of Sundays at 10:30 AM and weekdays at 12:20 PM is in effect during summer and academic breaks.
- Sunday: 10:30 AM (English); 7:30 PM (English)
- Monday: 7:30 AM, 12:20 PM (English)
- Tuesday: 12:20 PM (English); 5:30 PM (Spanish)
- Wednesday: 7:30 AM, 12:20 PM (English)
- Thursday: 12:20 PM (Spanish); 5:30 PM (English)
- Friday: 12:20 PM (Latin Novus Ordo)
Campus Ministry Team
Campus Ministry, located on the first floor of Crooker Center in the Student Life Center, supports the spiritual life of the entire UST community through liturgy, prayer, retreats, small groups, service opportunities, and pastoral care — welcoming students of all faith traditions. The current chaplain is Fr. Eduardo Rivera, CSB, a UST alumnus who assumed the role in 2025. He succeeded Fr. Paul English, CSB, who was elected to the Basilian General Council.
- Fr. Eduardo Rivera, CSB — Chaplain
- Pat Gunning, MA — Campus Minister
- Abi Bielstein '20 — Campus Ministry / Chapel Coordinator
- Kat Nguyen — Campus Life and Campus Ministry Coordinator
- Ana Alicia Collins Lopez, MEd — Assistant Dean of Campus Life
Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
Through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA / OCIA), Campus Ministry prepares students, staff, and faculty for the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, and for deeper study of the Catholic faith. Adult Confirmation Preparation is also offered separately. The chaplain and campus ministers are available for one-time and ongoing spiritual direction and pastoral care, and can share resources for additional spiritual support offered through religious communities within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA / OCIA)
- Adult Confirmation Preparation
- RCIA/Confirmation Sponsor Program
- Spiritual direction
- Pastoral care
- Theology of the Body
- Bible Studies
- Society of Mary / Mac small group
Liturgical Ministry and Music
Students serve in liturgical ministry roles — lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, sacristans, and hospitality ministers — and the Liturgical Ministry Interns help to create a prayerful worship environment. The chapel's pipe organ stands just east of the altar, supporting a vibrant music ministry led by Campus Minister Pat Gunning, whose passion is music ministry and leading students into a deeper relationship with Christ through community, outreach, and evangelization.
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar servers and sacristans
- Liturgical Ministry Internships
- Music ministry and pipe organ
Basilian Heritage and the University
The University of St. Thomas was founded in 1947 by the Congregation of St. Basil (Basilian Fathers) and is the only Catholic university in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Its motto, 'Crescamus in Christo' ('Let us grow in Christ'), reflects the Basilian charisms of goodness, discipline, knowledge, and community. The chapel's name honors St. Basil the Great, the fourth-century bishop and Doctor of the Church who inspired the founding religious order. The university gathers each fall for the campus-wide Mass of the Holy Spirit and each spring for the Mass of St. Thomas Aquinas, the university's patron.
- Founded 1947 by the Basilian Fathers (Congregation of St. Basil)
- Motto: Crescamus in Christo ('Let us grow in Christ')
- Only Catholic university in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
- Named for St. Basil the Great, fourth-century Bishop and Doctor of the Church
- Mass of the Holy Spirit (Fall) and Mass of St. Thomas Aquinas (Spring)
The Chapel Building — Interior Details
Inside, the chapel is bathed in natural light from the dome, a skylight over the altar, the statue of Our Lady on the east wall, and an asymmetrical glass cross on the west wall. The granite altar on the north wall features a ripple effect meant to represent the 'water of life' provided by Christ, with six candles inscribed 'Sanctus' (so each set proclaims 'Holy, Holy, Holy'). The crucifix's corpus is a centuries-old piece donated by the de Menil family. East of the altar stands the pipe organ; west is the tabernacle, inscribed with two angels whose wings form a flame, topped by an icon of St. Basil.
- Granite altar with 'water of life' ripple effect
- Six 'Sanctus' candles (three on each side)
- Centuries-old corpus donated by the de Menil family
- Pipe organ east of the altar
- Tabernacle with two angels and an icon of St. Basil
The Prayer Garden
Built during the 2005–2006 academic year, a prayer garden sits on the west side of the chapel. Its centerpiece is a labyrinth surrounded by plants and bushes, with a gravel walkway rimmed by crepe myrtles. Three fountains at the north end represent the Holy Trinity, and four benches mark the corners of the garden for prayer and reflection.
- Built 2005–2006 academic year
- Labyrinth centerpiece
- Three fountains representing the Holy Trinity
- Crepe myrtle-rimmed gravel walkway
- Four benches at the corners
Weddings, Funerals, and Private Masses
The Chapel of St. Basil is available to reserve for private Masses for both internal and external groups, with reservations handled by Campus Ministry Coordinator Abi Bielstein ([email protected]). Catholic weddings and funerals can be celebrated in the chapel for current students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members; inquiries should be directed to [email protected].
- Private Mass reservations: [email protected]
- Catholic weddings and funerals: [email protected]
- Available for current students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members
Visiting the Chapel
The chapel is open for private prayer and devotion during University business hours, and the campus is located in Houston's vibrant Montrose neighborhood — immediately adjacent to the Menil Collection and the Rothko Chapel, with easy access to the city's museums, restaurants, and music venues. The address is 1018 W. Alabama Street, Houston, TX 77006; the Campus Ministry office can be reached at (713) 525-3589 or [email protected].
- Address: 1018 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77006
- Phone: (713) 525-3589
- Email: [email protected]
- Open for private prayer during University business hours
- Campus Ministry offices: first floor of Crooker Center, Student Life Center
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Eduardo Rivera, CSB2025–present
Alumnus (B.A. Theology & Philosophy '14; M.Div. '20); native Houstonian; ordained 2020; previously Parochial Vicar at St. Anne's Parish, Houston.
- Fr. Paul English, CSBPrior to 2025
Elected to the Basilian General Council and reassigned to St. Anne's Parish.