Sesquicentennial Chapel

Sesquicentennial Chapel is a chapel at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.History and traditionIn its initial opening, Miami University held a required chapel service at 6:00 a.m. each day. Since Sesquicentennial Chapel was not built until 1959, this service was held elsewhere prior to its creation. Originally, there were two chapels in “Old Main” where the service congregated. This building has now been demolished, but in its place stands Harrison Hall. The chapel most often used for services was very large and elaborate. Some of its characteristics included elevated ceilings and stained glass windows. This building was referred to as “The Commons.” Church services were held here until 1909 when Benton Hall was built. The main auditorium in the building was known as the chapel-auditorium. Then, when Sesquicentennial Chapel was completed in 1959, the location of the daily service again relocated. This tradition no longer stands, but the building does.Building and descriptionSesquicentennial was built in 1959 to celebrate Miami University’s 150th anniversary. The building is 6,341 square feet and has a capacity of 218 people. Cellarius and Hilmer designed it with a Colonial Revival and Early American Georgian style in mind. Sesquicentennial Chapel is a one-story brick chapel (to blend in with the other buildings on campus) located at 551 East Spring Street in Oxford, OH. On the main floor there is a sanctuary, office, and choir loft, and in the basement there is a meeting room (seating 48), restrooms, and Sayles Memorial Room. The chapel contains two pianos and a digital organ.