Princeton University Chapel - Current Use

Current Use

The chapel operates within university's Office of Religious Life. It is overseen by the Dean of the Chapel. The current Dean of the Chapel is Alison Boden, who is also Dean of Religious Life at Princeton.

The Office of Religious Life calls the chapel "the home of regular religious services for many of the university's faith groups, including the 264-year-old ecumenical Christian worshiping community that founded Princeton in 1746." Though the university was once closely associated with the Presbyterian Church, it has never been affiliated with any religious denomination. In keeping with this tradition, the chapel hosts ecumenical Christian services each Sunday. Roman Catholic mass is celebrated daily.

The chapel also hosts several annual special events.

• Opening Exercises: The ceremony marking the beginning of the university's academic year has been held in the chapel since 1929.
• Service of Remembrance: On Alumni Day, the chapel hosts a service remembering members of the Princeton University community who died during the preceding calendar year.
• Westminster Choir College: The nearby conservatory holds many major performances and ceremonies each year in the chapel. These events include the annual Evening of Readings and Carols in December and the Westminster commencement ceremonies in May.
• Baccalaureate: Princeton University's graduating senior class attends an interfaith baccalaureate service in the chapel on the Sunday prior to Commencement.

The Princeton Chapel Choir rehearses, provides music for the weekly service, and performs occasional concerts in the chapel.