Chapel + Cultural Center at Rensselaer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Sun of Justice |
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| University Parish of Christ Sun of Justice | |
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| Location | 2215 Burdett Avenue Troy, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Consecrated | 1970 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Albany |
| Province | New York |
The Chapel + Cultural Center at Rensselaer (often called "The C+CC") is a special building in Troy, New York. It's known for its unique design and serves many purposes. The C+CC is a place for performing arts, like music and plays, and also a spiritual space for different faiths.
It is owned and run by the Rensselaer Newman Foundation (RNF). Even though it's on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), it operates as its own organization. The "+" sign in its name is a symbol for the Christian cross. The C+CC is home to the Roman Catholic University Parish of Christ Sun of Justice. Its staff also helps support Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim communities at RPI.
Contents
How the C+CC Began
Early Days of Catholic Ministry
The Catholic community at RPI started small in 1907. It was a "Newman Association," which is a group for Catholic students at non-Catholic universities. These groups are named after Cardinal Newman. In 1914, a part-time priest was assigned to RPI. Then, in 1936, Monsignor William M. Slavin became the first full-time Catholic Chaplain. He helped the entire campus community. Reverend Thomas W. Phelan took over from him in 1959.
Finding a Permanent Home
By the early 1960s, the Catholic community needed a permanent place to worship. Their old chapel was sold to RPI. So, a group decided to create a non-profit organization to raise money for a new building. On November 22, 1963, the Rensselaer Newman Foundation (RNF) was officially formed.
The RNF's main goals were:
- To offer classes in religion and related subjects.
- To create extra programs for Catholic students at RPI.
- To provide scholarships and other help for students.
- To help Catholic students grow in their faith and participate in cultural and social activities.
Building the C+CC
In 1965 and 1966, the RNF started looking for land to build their new facility. They found a good spot on Burdett Avenue in Troy. By February 1967, the design for the C+CC was ready. It was created by the architectural firm Levatich and Miller. Construction began in June 1967. The building officially opened with a special festival in October and November 1968.
In September 1970, the University Parish of Christ Sun of Justice was officially established. Reverend Thomas W. Phelan became its first pastor. He served until 2001. Many other priests and staff members have served at the C+CC since then.
The C+CC Building Design
The C+CC was designed to be a very flexible building. It combines sacred and everyday uses, like religious services and performing arts events. It also hosts educational and social gatherings.
When it first opened, many national and international magazines wrote about the C+CC. They praised its unique design, which was simple but very useful. The building even received a top award for religious buildings from the Liturgical Conference.
A book called Community on Campus was published in 1971. It explained how the C+CC's multi-purpose design was a big step forward for the Catholic Church in America. It showed how the church was adapting to modern times.
Inside the C+CC
The C+CC has a large main auditorium that can hold up to 450 people. It has movable seats, so it can be set up in different ways for various events. There's also an altar chapel that can be connected to the auditorium or separated by sliding wooden doors.
Ade Bethune designed the special religious features in the chapel and auditorium. This includes a beautiful stained glass window called an oculus on the east wall. Father Edward Catich painted giant Greek, Roman, and Hebrew letters on the main auditorium floor.
The C+CC also has a collection of art. This includes a large piece of a crucifix carved by Eric Gill. There are also works by famous artists like Pablo Picasso and Tomie dePaola.
Other Spaces and Improvements
The building also features an art gallery in the hallway, a lounge, and a conference room. These spaces are used for art shows and community meetings. There's also a connected house called "Slavin House," where parish priests and staff live. It's named after Monsignor Slavin.
In 1994, a project began to improve the building and its grounds. This also made sure the C+CC followed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, making it accessible for everyone.
Honoring Reverend Phelan
In October 2003, a street in Troy was renamed "Tom Phelan Place." This was to honor Reverend Phelan for his many years of service to the community. Reverend Phelan passed away in April 2006. His funeral service was held at the C+CC.
In 2011, the C+CC building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
