Tunnels, Pools, and Ghosts: Exploring Space at St. Catherine UniversityMain MenuIntroductionBrief History of St. Kate'sTimeline of Buildings and PresidentsExplore buildings on campus in the order they were builtDerham Hall Building Overviewfrom the only building to a base for the UniversityWhitby Hall: Building Overviewit only took 98 years for students to move outChapelplace of prayer and celebrationMendel HallBasements and the Cold WarCoeur de Catherine, St. Joseph's Hall and the Libraryhow two spaces became oneThe FutureLegend or History?unpacking the truth behind the storiesCommunity ContributionThank YouSources and Further ResearchVeronika Paprockacb4a0de9a6d07f54b0abc8050984ad45ad67a2bdVeronika Paprocka
Chapel Interior
12017-01-04T16:05:35-08:00Veronika Paprockacb4a0de9a6d07f54b0abc8050984ad45ad67a2bd124601Box 397b, file 10b, photo 5138, St. Catherine University Archives and Special Collectionsplain2017-01-04T16:05:36-08:00Veronika Paprockacb4a0de9a6d07f54b0abc8050984ad45ad67a2bd
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12017-01-04T16:12:09-08:00Chapel Mysteries8gallery2017-03-28T18:27:24-07:00The 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.