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3802 Yoakum
The Chapel of St. Basil, with its stunning gold dome and seven-foot cross towering 70 feet above the academic quadrangle, dominates the campus and provides a quiet place for prayer and reflection. The Chapel architecture includes three basic geometric shapes: a cube for the body of the church, a sphere for the dome and a granite plane connecting these shapes. The tent flap façade is open and inviting, reminiscent of the Old Testament Tent of Meeting.
Designed by Philip Johnson, who received an honorary degree from UST in 1992 for creativity in architecture, the Academic Mall symbolizes the nature of our University.
Inside the Chapel, light and shadow interplay to create dramatic effect. A 14th century figure of Christ adorns the cross inset in the wall, and the organ features 1000 pipes. There is an icon of St. Basil the Great, for whom the Basilian Fathers are named, and a Shrine of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom. The bells strike every half-hour and Mass is celebrated here one time a day on weekdays during the school year, with a Saturday Vigil and two Masses on Sunday, Saturday and Friday each week during the school year.
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