Tunnels, Pools, and Ghosts: Exploring Space at St. Catherine University

Chapel Mysteries

The chapel features stunning architecture and design when the chapel was built beautiful chandeliers were installed. These clearly are not present in the chapel today and have remained the largest mystery of my research. I've spent countless hours trying to uncover their past and learn why they were removed. Sadly they have disappeared without a trace. The disappearance of the chandeliers does give an insight into human nature when these chandeliers were installed countless documents were saved in the archives. There are sketches, receipts and orders saved to preserve the installation of the chandeliers, however, the chandeliers were removed without a trace left behind for the future. These chandeliers show our excitement about the new and lack of caring for the old, which sometimes interferes with the preservation of the past.

These chandeliers have disappeared without a trace and have created a peculiar memory of the chapel. With their disappearance, some of Sr. Antonia's original vision of the chapel disappears. The disappearance of the chandeliers also connects to the change in the use of the chapel. On the surface little has changed in the chapel most of the chapel looks identical to when it was built. However how we use the chapel and the way it is lit has changed. The chapel is no longer a daily gathering place of the college community and the immaculate chandeliers no longer hang from the ceiling. Remembering the chandeliers in the chapel connects to the chapel's past as a daily gathering place and a time when students and sisters shared a common faith.

Recently developments have been made in the search for the chandeliers. After disappearing without a trace for decades they may have suddenly been found. The St. Catherine University Department of Public Safety has helped me gain access to many spaces. After hearing about the missing chandeliers Mark Johnson, Director of Public Safety, has sent out a call to his staff. He's encouraged them to look for the chandeliers on their rounds around campus. Recently a box was found that contains globes that resemble those from the chandeliers. This is a very exciting development as for decades it seemed like these chandeliers disappeared without a trace. 

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