Chapel House

Chapel House is a quiet place of retreat nestled in the woods on the campus of Colgate University. Built with a gift from a donor who asked that her identity never be revealed, Chapel House provides a serene, quiet space for contemplation, meditation, and study, and immersion in nature via the Japanese meditation garden and adjacent walking trails. We welcome visitors from all parts of the world and all religious traditions, or none. Designed by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, Chapel House opened its doors in 1959 and is an example of late international-style modernism. Our Meditation Hall is open 24/7. Our Retreat House is home to over four thousand books, a thousand music recordings, and a hundred pieces of artwork reflecting spiritual practices across the world and throughout the centuries. Day visitors are invited to explore these collections when the Retreat House is open. Reservations are not required for day visits but please check open hours at www.colgate.edu/about/campus- facilities/chapel-house/visit-chapel-house or call 315-228-7675 before visiting. A reservation is required for an individual seeking an overnight retreat (two-night minimum), and can be requested by contacting our house manager Kathy Keyes at kkeyes@colgate.edu or 1-315-228- 6087. Communal vegetarian meals are served to overnight guests during their retreats. You can learn more about overnight retreats at Chapel House by visiting www.colgate.edu/about/campus- facilities/chapel-house/overnight-guests. We recommend that retreat reservations be made at least two weeks in advance to help ensure availability.