- St. John’s Chapel
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges
- 632 South Main
Street
Geneva, NY 14456
St. John's Chapel was the first campus building designed by the Upjohn family of New York City. The cornerstone was laid in 1862 and its first services were held in September, 1863. Originally, it was freestanding, built of Waterloo limestone with a slate roof in the English "parish church" style of Gothic architecture. The designer had planned a more elaborate edifice but Hobart College's poor financial status and the Civil War dictated a more modest structure. The sanctuary and altar were at the lake end of the building and collegiate stalls faced each other. A rose window was set in the west wall, which is the current altar area.
The interior was remodeled in 1961-the collegiate stalls were removed and conventional pews were added-and enlarged with the addition of St. Mark's Tower, which linked the Chapel to Demarest Hall. The tower is topped with a 128-foot spire. The 142-bell Louis M. Hirshson Carillon can be played from the organ in the chancel.
The chapel is one of the most architecturally interesting places on campus. The window at the east end is dedicated to Bishop Hobart and depicts St. John the Evangelist. The baptismal font and eagle lectern were part of the original chapel.
