The Chapel Program at Salisbury has been the spiritual and worship foundation of the School since its founding in 1901 and is an integral and distinctive aspect of the School’s program.
Services
Chapel services are held every Tuesday and Friday morning before classes and include organ and piano accompaniment, a speaker, community prayers, prayer concerns, a hymn, and the responsive reading of a psalm each day.
Music
Music in the Chapel often includes performances by the Salisbury Gospel Choir, the Jazz Ensemble, and other talented student and faculty singers and musicians.
Ecumenical and Episcopal
The Chapel services provide an ecumenical, respectful, and inclusive experience in the Episcopal tradition. Students and faculty alike are encouraged to explore, discern, and develop their individual spirituality and relationship with God. The opportunity to participate in a community Eucharist is offered to the entire Salisbury community on a regular basis in connection with weekly Chapel services.
Sensitive to the Needs of Non-Christians
Salisbury is sensitive to the worship needs of non-Christians and regularly provides chapel speakers and services to honor those interests. In addition to faculty, administration, and student speakers, outside speakers are invited to speak on a wide range of contemporary and non-Christian issues and traditions including, but not limited to the Jewish, Islamic, and Buddhist traditions. Martin Luther King’s birthday is recognized each year with Chapel services dedicated to honoring Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement.
Traditions
Additional Salisbury worship traditions include a Hanging of the Greens Service and pageant, and a traditional Anglican Service of Nine Lessons and Carols held just before Winter Break each year.
The Chapel program also provides a confirmation service with one of the Bishops of Connecticut presiding.
Vestry
In addition to attending chapel, students have the opportunity to participate in the Chapel program by joining the Vestry which oversees Chapel services in general, and by assisting in various ways throughout the year in other chapel services as leaders, readers, presenters, musicians, singers, acolytes, and ushers.
The Chaplain
The school chaplain is also available for pastoral care and counseling, and spiritual direction. Alumni, faculty, staff and students may also request the school chaplain to perform baptisms, weddings, and funerals in the School chapel.