Emmanuel Chapel gets a face-lift

Since the beginning of June, the Emmanuel Chapel below the Corpus Christi Cathedral has become a construction site. The chapel, where usually the weekday 7 am Mass is celebrated, is closed for renovation – new lighting, pews and flooring will be installed over the summer.

The rededication is planned for the week of September 11.

The new pews will leave space for an aisle in the middle, which makes the chapel more suitable for weddings or funerals. It will also get a new altar and ambo. While these are the most visible changes, other modifications are hidden: a new sound system and cameras will allow live streaming from the chapel.

The capacity will be 78 seats plus 12 priests or altar servers. Liturgical architect Michael Raia from io Studio designed the new chapel, which will contain a relief dedicated to saints who were priests.