Religious Life provides opportunities for spiritual growth, community-building, exploration of diverse faith traditions, advocacy for just communities, and civic engagement for students through worship, pastoral care, educational programs, sacred spaces, lobbying efforts, and involvement with student and religious organizations.
We have four designated sacred spaces: Rickly Chapel in University Hall seats 600 people; Herbster Chapel in Pfleiderer Hall seats 100 people; The upper floor of the Ubuntu House and the Dorothy Castanien Parsell Quiet Room in Campus Center is for private prayer and reflection.
- Matters of Faith is weekly music and message event at noon every Thursday in Herbster Chapel with guest speakers, students, staff, faculty.
- Campus Fellowship has a student-led Christian Worship service on Monday nights in Campus Center Great Hall.
- Catholic Newman Club sponsors a monthly Mass on Sunday nights in Herbster Chapel.
Heidelberg University is proud to be one of seventeen colleges and universities historically affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Founded in 1850, by German Reformed Church – a denomination which would later become part of the United Church of Christ, Heidelberg University from its inception has highlighted the importance of faith and faith exploration among its student body. Heidelberg University has through its years revered Reformed theology, and has tried to live out the Reformed axiom “in necessary things: unity; in doubtful things: liberty; in all things: charity.”
Simply put, Heidelberg University has traditionally aligned our values and our vision with the values and vision of the United Church of Christ. We are dedicated to deepening our faith through acts of social justice, meaningful worship, times of personal reflection and study, and engagement of people of diverse backgrounds. It means Heidelberg University is open and welcoming to people of all faiths – including people of no faith. It means that Heidelberg University encourages the wider campus (including students, faculty, and staff) to examine their values and wrestle with difficult questions. It means Heidelberg University affirms the importance of our spiritual walk as part of the basis for living a life of purpose with distinction.