Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel

Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel:

The Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel has been a long standing place of worship and gathering for the Gannon University family and community.  

The beginnings of a Christian church on the site go back to 1860, when the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church dedicated a brick edifice with a towering steeple. That original building was partially destroyed by a fire in 1920 and not fully restored until 1940. A second fire in 1944 completely destroyed the building.  

The present church was built in 1950. Its congregation merged with the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in January 1981 and is now the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant on West Sixth Street. Gannon University purchased the property that year with a view to continue the church as the University Chapel. The chapel was dedicated on Oct. 8, 1989.  

The renovated Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel was dedicated in April 2021, after nearly 2 years of planning and construction to fix a gas leak in the building. Your gift to the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel allows for ongoing improvements, ensuring we can continue to offer our students and community a welcoming, spiritual home on Gannon's campus.  

Current Needs: Pew Fronts & Bell Clapper Repair

The Chapel serves as the spiritual home of the University. Gannon seeks financial support to fix an integral part of the Chapel: the bell. Particularly for Catholic community members, having a bell to call us together for worship, to celebrate great moments such as baccalaureate, weddings, and baptisms, and to enter into prayer is symbolic and important. Additional pew fronts will increase overall participation during kneeling prayer in the front pews.

Please be sure to select Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel as your designation at check out.