The Chapel of Christ the Teacher
The Chapel of Christ the Teacher is the spiritual center of campus and is open all day for quiet prayer. Check out a chapel-360 tour of the Chapel of Christ the Teacher.
First opened in 1986 and dedicated on October 6 of that year, the Chapel of Christ the Teacher is a central part of the University of Portland's Catholic identity. Serving as the worshiping home for the campus community, the Chapel is in use on a daily basis to provide a space for common prayer, quiet reflection, and a spiritual anchor.
Designed by world renowned architect Pietro Belluschi, the Chapel of Christ the Teacher features a set of intricate doors that are covered in a sun-burst radial design that is surrounded by Christological symbols from a variety of cultures. The lintel above and around the door is engraved with vines and branches, emanating from the ancient symbol of the Chi-Ro, which are the first two letters in Greek for "Christ". This image is a reference to the passage from the Gospel of John in which Jesus teaches that he is the vine, and we are the branches.
Upon entering the Chapel, the baptismal font greets the faithful. The font is filled with holy water, and is used at the Easter Vigil Mass for baptisms. The steps down into the font and back up refer to the theology of baptism as presented by Romans 6 in St. Paul's writings where a person dies with Christ in baptism and then rises to new life with him.
The main worship space in the Chapel includes the pews for the congregation and the sanctuary with the altar where the sacrifice of the Mass is offered. When filled by the community, the Chapel of Christ the Teacher is a vibrant and beautiful place to worship. The UP community is blessed to have such an incredible place in which to worship and give thanks to God!
Although each dorm has its own Mass throughout the week, the student body comes together on Sunday to worship as one community at the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. This chapel is an exquisite example of Northwestern architecture, providing a beautiful space for the campus to gather for worship and prayer.
Check out this brief tour of the Residence Hall chapels.
THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHAPEL
On October 4, 2026, a special Mass will be celebrated in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher to honor the 40th anniversary of the Chapel's dedication. An important part of the university's wider 125th anniversary celebrations, the Chapel of Christ the Teacher's milestone is a significant time that points to UP's commitment to being a strong, vital, and visible Catholic presence in the Archdiocese of Portland and the wider Pacific Northwest.
The anniversary Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Sunday, October 4th. The Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, will preside and preach at the Mass. The Holy Cross community will be present to celebrate this important moment in the life of the university and the local church.
For more information about the 125th anniversary celebrations at University of Portland, please visit this page.
The Chapel of Christ the Teacher, designed by renowned Northwest architect Pietro Belluschi, is the spiritual center of campus. Said Belluschi at the Chapel's dedication: "A church is much more than a building. It is people coming together to evoke God's harmony."
The Chapel doors are made of the salvaged wood from storm-damaged walnut trees. Their intricate design depicts a sunburst, symbolizing the life of Christ and the beauty of creation.
A reminder of one’s baptismal promise to live in Christ, the Chapel's font is in the shape of a cross and reflects light through a skylight above it. Around the font are words from the baptistery of St. John Lateran: “One faith, one font, one spirit make one people; no barrier can divide where life unites.”
In his creation of the Chapel crucifix, Dick Helzer hoped that a strong representation of Christ would reveal his background as a carpenter and the heavy walking that his ministry included.
Inside the Chapel's reconciliation room is another crucifix. This gift to the University is made of ivory and approximately 100 years old.
Outside of the reconciliation room is a mosaic of Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, patroness of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Also to the right of the font is the Chi-Rho cross, a symbol fashioned from a 3rd century sarcophagus. It contains the first two Greek letters of "Christ" and was used previously at the front of liturgical processions.
The Chapel's marble tabernacle holds the consecrated Eucharist. All are welcome to spend time in quiet prayer with the Eucharist throughout the day.
Stations of the Cross wind around the second floor of the Chapel, depicting the way of Jesus' crucifixion. Created for the Holy Cross Community, the stations originally hung in St. Mary's before moving to the Chapel.
