The Fish Interfaith Center is located in the heart of the campus and is dedicated
to supporting the spiritual wholeness of the the Chapman community. The staff are
committed to helping students connect with groups that can enhance their lives and
to offer spiritual care and support.
Whether you're seeking community, religious or spiritual reflection, or practical
support for your group activities, Fish Interfaith Center invites you to connect,
share, and seek deeper meaning in your academic and personal journey.
Check out this video for a look at what students do every day at Fish Interfaith Center.
Explore Fish Interfaith Center
See Fish Interfaith Center for yourself with this 360-degree virtual tour.
Fish Interfaith Center facilities and spaces
The Fish Interfaith Center has several unique spaces that foster spiritual, intellectual
and social community.
These include:
Wallace All Faiths Chapel
A designated space for worship, reflection, and special events for the Chapman community
of all religious beliefs, including those who identify as atheist or agnostic.
The distinctive architecture highlights four universal spiritual inspirations: light,
cosmos, nature, and water.
Prayer and meditation room
A place for you to pray, meditate, or sit quietly with meditation cushions, prayer
rugs, and a wudu/washing station.
Dee’s Garden of the Senses
A sculpted outdoor garden adorned with art installations, a fountain, lush foliage,
and comfortable seating areas that provide a peaceful environment for students to
meditate or find quiet.
Peterson Conference Room (reservation required)
A conference room that may be reserved for group meetings.
Unless otherwise noted, all locations listed above are open Monday through Friday
from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
The Wallace All Faiths Chapel
Serving as the primary area for worship activities on campus, the four-level chapel
is bathed in natural sunlight and its ceiling appears to float, creating an impression
of the infinite.
Prayer and meditation room
Tucked away in a concealed hallway to the side of the main chapel, the prayer and
meditation room offers a serene escape for meditation, prayer, or a quiet reflection
away from daily school life.
Dee's Garden of the Senses
True to its name, Dee's Garden of the Senses caters to every sense, serving as a soothing
refuge for students, particularly during the stressful periods of midterms and finals.
Peterson Conference Room
The Peterson Conference Room doubles as a private area for meetings and houses the
center’s reference library for campus religious groups to use. It also showcases a
painting by Carlson Gladson and a section of the Ocean Wave Sculpture.
Events
Below is a regularly updated calendar featuring religious and spiritual events organized
by the staff of Fish Interfaith Center.
You can reserve a room or schedule an event at Fish Interfaith Center by reaching
out to the Manager of the Wallace All Faiths Chapel at interfaith@chapman.edu.
Explore the profiles of each Fish Interfaith staff member and their respective roles
on the Meet the Staff page.
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to commonly asked questions about the Fish Interfaith Center and
matters related to religion and spirituality at Chapman.
If you can’t find the answer to your question, contact Fish Interfaith Center at interfaith@chapman.edu or (714) 628-7260.
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Is Chapman a Christian school?
Chapman was founded by a denomination called the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
and is still a recognized Disciples school by the United Church of Christ. Chapman
is a school for persons of all faith and spiritual understandings as well as those
who are secular.
With the help of the chaplains who work at Fish Interfaith Center, Chapman promotes
interfaith knowledge and understanding as part of our work to create global citizens.
What do chaplains do at the Fish Interfaith Center?
Chaplains play a crucial role in providing religious, spiritual, and emotional support
to Chapman students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their religious or spiritual
affiliations.
You can get involved with Fish Interfaith Center by joining a Religious or Spiritual student group or becoming a student docent working at Fish.
To learn more about the process of becoming a student docent, email interfaith@chapman.edu.
What is the difference between spirituality and religion?
Spirituality can be defined as gaining peace within, pursuing a spiritual quest, caring
about others, and developing an understanding of all of humanity, including cultures,
religions, and how we are all connected.
Religion is an established spiritual path through which a community with shared history,
practices, beliefs, and culture gathers for worship, education, and celebration.
The Fish Interfaith Center is dedicated to helping students connect with a community
of persons in their religion or to connect with a group that fosters their spiritual
growth.
Do you have support for students who are spiritual but not religious?
Chapman emphasizes spiritual exploration as part of our core values, so there are
many avenues of support for spiritual students.
Chapman offers academic accommodations in accordance with students' religious beliefs
and traditions. Faculty are encouraged to support students who request to miss a class
due to religious observance.
To see a complete breakdown of the religious accommodations offered to students, visit
the Religious Accommodations page.