Completed in 2014 this chapel is the heart of the school. The architecture and artful details within the chapel are reminders that we are to be “contemplatives in action.”
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF MONTSERRAT
Entitled “Journey,” this piece located in Our Lady of Montserrat Chapel recalls the physical journey of St. Ignatius and represents the spiritual journey of our students at Seattle Prep. Together with the statue of La Virgen de Madonna and the tapestry of St. Ignatius, it tells a story: On pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Ignatius sojourned to the town of Montserrat, in the Northeast of Spain. In the church of the Benedictine Abbey, he kept a vigil of arms for one whole night before the altar of Our Lady of Montserrat. There, he resolved to lay aside his worldly garments to don the armor of Christ. This pivotal moment is when St. Ignatius, S.J. commits to a life of service and the seeds of the Society of Jesus are planted. Artist: Edward Arnot
BAPTISMAL POOL
This baptismal pool welcomes people into the serene space of the Chapel as well as welcomes the faithful into the Church through baptism. The stone in the middle of the pool serves as a baptismal bowl while allowing the water to trickle down on four sides to create a rippling effect. Three glass wall panels in front of the pool can slide into a wall pocket to create a private yet open space for baptism.
CRUCIFIX
This crucifix, housed in Our Lady of Montserrat Chapel, is a gift from the Seattle Prep Filipino American community. It captures the central concept of Christian faith – the Paschal Mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The work depicts an in between, yet intertwining, moment when Christ is dying and rising at the same time. Artist: Trung Pham, SJ. Bronze casting: Two Ravens Studio
LA VIRGEN DE MADONNA
This painted wooden statue, also known as the Black Madonna, was bought in Montserrat, Spain itself. It is located in Our Lady of Montserrat Chapel, next to the stained-glass window but provides a different praying experience by allowing one to pray by touching the statue.
ST. IGNATIUS RELIC
Seattle Prep received a St. Ignatius Loyola relic from the Layman family. Dr. James Layman, class of 1941, acquired the bone relic in 1959 as thanks for the medical care that he provided for the Jesuits at no cost. Dr. Layman, who received the Seattle Prep Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1986, served as the primary internist for the Jesuits in Seattle for over 50 years and was the team physician at Seattle Prep for over 20 years. The Chapel also proudly displays a wood carving by Fr. Robert Pospicil, S.J. in the Fr. Joe Small, S.J. Reflection room thanks to the generosity of the Layman family. (Dr. & Mrs. James Layman Jr. ‘41, Dan Layman ’73, Pat Layman ’65, Sarah Layman, Sean Layman ’68 and Justin Speyer ’98).
ALTAR
This altar, designed by Francis Nguyen, S.J. celebrates Prep’s gratitude to our communities, both past and present. The wood used for the altar in the Chapel is reclaimed from the original Adelphia Hall. The altar uses two color tones to convey its depth and symbolize the unity of past and present communities. Below the altar is the relic of St. Ignatius. The Ambo and Tabernacle were also designed by Francis Nguyen, S.J. using reclaimed wood from Adelphia Hall. Father Nguyen is a former Seattle Prep faculty member.