Our Spaces
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The Chapel + Cultural Center
The Chapel + Cultural Center (C+CC) is owned and operated by the Rensselaer Newman Foundation and serves as the home of the Catholic Chaplaincy at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
Since opening in 1968, the C+CC has provided a place where worship, education, culture, and community come together. Designed as a multi-purpose facility, the building was created to unite the sacred and the secular, hosting religious services alongside concerts, lectures, theatrical performances, exhibitions, meetings, and social events.
Recognized for its innovative architecture, the building received national attention when it was constructed and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011, becoming one of the youngest buildings in the country to receive that designation.
Today, the C+CC serves not only the Catholic community at RPI through the University Parish of Christ Sun of Justice, but also welcomes students, faculty, staff, community organizations, artists, and people of all faith traditions.
A Place for Campus and Community
The Chapel + Cultural Center was envisioned as a meeting place for both campus and community, a center that reflects human dignity, creativity, and the pursuit of understanding.
For more than five decades, the building has hosted worship services, performing and visual arts programs, educational initiatives, student activities, and community gatherings. Its flexible design allows the space to adapt to the diverse needs of the RPI community and the wider Capital Region.
Building Features
The C+CC includes:
- A flexible multi-purpose auditorium and chapel with seating for up to 200 people
- A sanctuary for worship and smaller gatherings
- A lounge and meeting space accommodating up to 30 people
- A fully equipped kitchen serving the lounge area
- A professional sound, lighting, projection, and livestreaming system
- A 25-foot cinema screen with 10,000-lumen laser projection
- Outdoor terrace spaces for gatherings and performances
- Historic liturgical furnishings, artwork, and musical instruments
Our facilities are available to RPI students, faculty, staff, community organizations, and outside groups.
Spaces Within the Chapel + Cultural Center
The Auditorium.
The Main Hall is a flexible, multi-purpose space designed to support worship, performances, lectures, film screenings, receptions, and social events. Movable seating and modular staging allow the room to be configured for a variety of uses, accommodating up to 200 guests.
The auditorium features professional sound and theatrical lighting systems, digital projection capabilities, and livestreaming technology. The space is also home to a historic 11-rank mechanical pipe organ and a Boston grand piano, both of which contribute to the hall’s exceptional acoustics for musical performances.
The Lounge & Meeting Space
The lounge and conference area provides a comfortable setting for meetings, discussions, receptions, and small events. A retractable wall allows the space to be divided into two rooms, while an adjacent kitchen supports hospitality and community gatherings.
The lounge opens onto outdoor terraces that can be used during warmer months for informal gatherings, performances, and special events.
THE Sanctuary
The Sanctuary serves as the primary worship space for daily and weekend Catholic liturgies. The area can be separated from or opened into the auditorium, allowing the building to function as either an intimate chapel or a larger setting.
Built-in seating surrounds the central altar, emphasizing community and participation in worship while preserving the flexibility that defines the building’s original vision.