“Gothic Gem” is how the Jesuits describe St. Mary’s Chapel. This chapel is contained within St. Mary’s Hall. Let’s step inside this historic building on Boston College’s Chestnut Hill campus.
St. Mary’s Hall is one of the oldest buildings here. Only Gasson Hall is older. The Jesuits founded Boston College in 1863. St. Mary’s Hall opened in 1917. It originally served as a residence for the Jesuit faculty. Today, it continues to be a Jesuit residence. Several academic departments also call St. Mary’s Hall home.
Soon after New Year’s in 1917 the Jesuits took formal possession of St. Mary’s Hall. It was the second building constructed on campus. The north end houses St. Mary’s Chapel.
The chapel is beautiful. It boasts a marble altar, oak pews, and a carved oak ceiling. A choir loft completes the scene. In 1930, a southern wing was added. This provided a covered cloister walk. It runs north and west enclosing a small garden.
St. Mary’s Chapel was named after St. Mary’s Church in Boston. The connection between the church and the Jesuits goes back to 1847. The chapel was the original place of worship for the Jesuit community here.
Over the years, St. Mary’s Chapel has undergone restoration. This preserved its beauty. Conservators cleaned years of accumulated grime. They removed smoke from the stone in the chapel. They also applied Dutch metal gilding in the sacristy. Cracks were repaired. Damaged blocks were replaced with newly replicated ones.
The restoration even involved the intricate woodwork on the ceiling. Conservators used solvent-based cleaning solutions and cotton cloths. This gently removed surface grime. The marble altars with gilded lettering also received careful cleaning.
Painted plaster surfaces were also conserved. Canvas murals and decorative paint received attention. Conservators developed custom cleaning solutions. Sponges and cotton swabs gently lifted dirt.
The revived colors of the painted decoration are stunning. The brightened stone truly transformed the chapel’s appearance. It returned the space to its original splendor.
Today, St. Mary’s Chapel still holds daily Mass at 8 a.m. There is also a noon Mass Monday through Friday when students are in session. Reconciliation is available before the noon Mass.
St. Mary’s Hall stands as a testament to history. It is a place of residence, academics, and worship. Its “Gothic Gem,” St. Mary’s Chapel, welcomes all.