The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Our Lady of Grace Chapel

Click on image titles for larger views.

Our Lady of Grace Chapel (side view), Briar Cliff University

Our Lady of Grace Chapel (entrance), Briar Cliff University

Our Lady of Grace Chapel (rear view), Briar Cliff University

Institution Name: Briar Cliff University
Original/Historic Place Name: Our Lady of Grace Chapel
Location on Campus: SE on campus proper, Rebecca St.
Date(s) of Construction:

1959	original construction Byrne, Barry

Designer: Barry Byrne
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Other (Glossary)
Significance: architecture
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: brick

Roof: flat

Function:

1959-present (2006)

chapel

Narrative:
The Our Lady of Grace chapel was designed by Barry Byrne and completed in 1959. In 1902, Byrne started his architectural studies at the Frank Lloyd Wright studio in Chicago. A large part of Byrne's practice was in church architecture, and he was the first American to design a Catholic church outside of the United States. Byrne is associated with the American Prairie School of architecture.

The Style and design of the chapel is very compatible with the other buildings on campus. Adjacent to the chapel is a small courtyard dedicated to St.Francis which contains a statue of Francis and Anthony. The chapel originally had a tower which had to be removed because of structural damage.

References:

Architectural and landscape master plan collection. Archives, Bishop Mueller Library, Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, IA.