The chapel is beautiful and it will no doubt serve as a special place on the campus for generations to come. The history of this building together with the hope that the new chapel brings for the future really made me feel like something very important has been accomplished by everyone who participated in making it a reality." —Bill Bouten, Class of 1984
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ulfilling a vision that began with Carroll College’s founding in 1909, the college community gathered for the dedication and formal opening of All Saints Chapel on November 1, 2017. The ceremony marked the culmination of 18 months of construction which transformed the north wing of St. Charles Hall into the spiritual center of campus. Carroll’s founder, Bishop John Patrick Carroll, envisioned an institution of higher learning that balanced intellectual and spiritual life. At the laying of the college’s cornerstone in 1909, Bishop Carroll stated, “The aim of [this] college will be to give the young [people] of Montana a thorough, liberal education which will fit them for leadership in any vocation they may choose and at the same time, so surround them with a religious atmosphere that they will ever follow conscience as their king. Knowledge and virtue are the armor with which [this] college shall strive to equip students.” With its completion, All Saints Chapel now provides a sacred and welcoming place for Carroll College to worship together 109 years after its inception. Carroll’s growing faith community had outgrown other locations on campus, and the new building, in addition to the 13,310 square foot chapel, includes space for campus ministry programs and fellowship, along with areas that promote personal reflection, prayer and spiritual growth.
Building All Saints Chapel was important to both of us because of the academic and spiritual growth opportunity at Carroll College. Seeing the chapel our first time affirmed our desire for not just academics but the Catholic spiritual guidance that is required. From this, we receive much inspiration." —Dr. James & Joan Schneller, Classes of 1956 & 1957
The new chapel had been identified as a priority in the Campus Master Plan and was a signature project in the MIND BODY SPIRIT Campaign, Carroll College’s largest capital campaign to-date. Construction of the chapel was made possible by generous donations from alumni, friends and supporters of the college, most notably, Dr. Earl Heller, class of 1958, Dr. James and Joan Schneller, classes of 1956 and 1957 and Bill Bouten, associated with the class of 1984. “We are incredibly thankful for the countless sacrifices made by many individuals which allowed the chapel to be built,” said Carroll College Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Marc Lenneman. “People gave a lot of gifs that were tangible in terms of dollars but people also gave a lot of gifs that were intangible in terms of prayer and sacrifice and the way they have lived the unique gif they received here at Carroll College out in the world. We are profoundly grateful to all the people who were involved, are involved, and will be involved.“ Upon reflecting on his vision for the new chapel, Fr. Marc shares that he hopes students will find a home for their spiritual life in All Saints Chapel, and that they feel there is now a place set aside for them to grow in their faith. “I want them to understand that the ultimate home they are experiencing is the home they have in God’s heart which they encounter through prayer in a sacred place, and that He, in turn, has a home in their heart,” said Fr. Marc.
No amount of money can compensate Carroll College for all of the benefits bestowed on me as a result of attending Carroll. However, I am making this donation with the intention of honoring those who have worked so hard to make Carroll such a great place of learning. I’m hopeful my gift will encourage others to become donors and that a new chapel will serve as a memorial to those who have dedicated their life to Carroll." —Dr. Earl Heller, Class of 1958