Cannon Chapel
The University Chapel for Emory University is Cannon Chapel, located on the main academic quad of Emory's Atlanta campus. Every week, it hosts at least 20 diverse religious and philosophical gatherings, including Protestant Worship, Catholic Masses, Muslim Jumu'ah Prayer, Hindu Aarthi, and Buddhist Meditation. It also hosts other special events such as Jewish High Holiday Observances, university ceremonies, concerts, weddings, and memorial services.
It was built to be intentionally interfaith with no permanent religious symbols in the interior, and flexible seating in the round. United States President Jimmy Carter was present at the groundbreaking, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama dedicated a living mandala garden near the building's front door. The sanctuary is open for prayer and quiet meditation throughout the week.
The chapel was designed in the Brutalist style to resemble a transit station by internationally-acclaimed architect Paul Rudolph, the son of one of Emory's Candler School of Theology's first graduates. It was named for William R. Cannon, a Candler dean and later Methodist bishop. Ground was broken on August 30, 1979, and the chapel was dedicated on September 30, 1981.
Cannon Chapel houses the Office of the University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life and staff, Candler School of Theology's Assistant Dean for Worship and Music and colleagues, a large multifaith chapel, several prayer rooms, a classroom, and meeting and fellowship spaces.
HOURS OF OPERATION AND RESERVATIONS
The normal hours of operation for Cannon Chapel during the academic year are:
- Sunday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, closed unless otherwise scheduled
Chapel spaces are reserved through the Site Operations Manager. If your program is scheduled to begin earlier or end later than the normal hours of operation, please confirm this with the Site Operations Manager.
