Rockefeller Chapel, Church building in Hyde Park, Chicago, US
Rockefeller Chapel is a Gothic Revival church building on the campus of the University of Chicago in Hyde Park, Chicago. Its tall limestone walls rise over 200 feet, with a wide nave that can hold around 1,700 people and colorful stained glass windows framing the interior.
Completed in 1928 as a gift from John D. Rockefeller, the building was intended to be the central feature of the University of Chicago campus. Architect Bertram Goodhue designed it in a modern take on Gothic style, using concrete piers instead of steel to support the heavy tiled ceiling.
Inside, the side chapels are set aside for different faiths, including Hindu and Muslim prayer rooms, so visitors may see people using the space for quiet reflection or meditation. The carillon in the tower rings melodies at intervals, and its sound is a familiar part of daily campus life.
Visitors can enter through the main doors facing the central campus and explore the nave and side chapels at their own pace. The bell tower has a spiral staircase, so comfortable shoes and a bit of energy help if you want the view from above.
The chapel ceiling is covered with more than 100,000 glazed tiles, a massive weight held up without any steel framework. The bell tower also houses a 72-bell carillon, one of the largest sets of its kind anywhere.
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