Father Dave Pivonka, TOR '89 President | Franciscan University website

Franciscan University of Steubenville reopened Christ the King Chapel on August 17 after a 15-month renovation and expansion. The project nearly doubled the chapel’s seating capacity from 325 to 590 and included a new altar, tabernacle, sacred art, and stained-glass windows.

The $16.5 million renovation was part of the university’s Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign, which raised $126.1 million for academic programs, scholarships, outreach efforts, and campus buildings.

A Mass of Solemn Blessing marked the reopening. Bishop Edward M. Lohse, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Steubenville, presided over the Mass that featured anointing and consecration of the new altar as well as deposition of relics from several saints.

In his homily during the ceremony, Bishop Lohse said: “The beauty of this sacred edifice should reflect the even greater beauty of the community which gathers here to worship,” adding that “Here, at this altar, heavenly realities will commingle with those of earth. We will bring forth the work of human hands, bread and wine, and we will receive back the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.”

He also stated: “The true temple is Christ himself, and the faithful are called to become ‘living stones built into that temple, which is Christ.’”

Bishop Lohse concluded by entrusting care for the chapel to Franciscan University’s community: “May Christ the King Chapel be a place where heaven and earth meet in worship and grace.”

Christ the King Chapel was originally built in 1969. Its renewal comes as student enrollment has grown at Franciscan University. The project was led by Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of Franciscan University.

Father Pivonka commented on global interest in what would happen with Christ the King Chapel: “What we do here at Franciscan University matters. People all over the country and all over the world pay attention to what’s happening here because so many lives have been transformed here. There are countless men and women who encountered the Lord in this chapel, and their lives were never the same… I believe the Church and this country needs this little chapel…”

He added: “It was never beautiful by worldly standards… But it was holy. Students encountered Christ there. Many like me heard the Lord’s call to priesthood or religious life within those walls.”

Rather than demolish it for new construction, university leaders chose to preserve much of its original structure while expanding upon it—a decision inspired by churches in Assisi associated with St. Francis.

Father Jonathan St. André TOR spoke before opening chapel doors Sunday morning: “Just over 800 years ago… St. Francis experienced…the Holy Spirit touching his life in a deeper way… We… felt inspiration…to renovate Christ the King Chapel.” He said he hoped all present would experience God’s presence there through worship.

Renovation features include a mural painted by alumna Amber (Pitts) Knorr; a Tau cross embedded in stone; an Egyptian marble baptismal font; expanded sanctuary space with blue ceiling adorned with gold stars; stained-glass windows designed by alumnus Carl Fougerousse together with students from Gaming Austria; restored rose window from Pittsburgh; three side chapels dedicated to Blessed Mother Mary, St Joseph & Our Lady Guadalupe; four confessionals; private prayer areas; music ministry rooms; home for Schola Cantorum Franciscana & pipe organ.

Outside renovations are ongoing—statues gardens personalized bricks—and expected later this fall.

Father Pivonka expressed gratitude toward donors supporting these efforts: “Our greatest hope is that this chapel will form saints—men & women who will love Christ follow him & carry his grace into world…”