As Muller Chapel approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life invites you to explore the newly digitized history of this Ithaca College landmark. This newly created history not only highlights the chapel’s nearly half-century of existence but also delves into some of the stories associated with the practice of religious and spiritual life at Ithaca College. Some current student organizations, such as the Ithaca College Catholic Community, can trace their roots back to the 1930s.
Religious and spiritual life at Ithaca College has a lengthy past, with several communities maintaining a continuous organized presence within our campus community long before the creation of the South Hill campus. The digitized history includes a record of the former I & E Coffee House in the basement of Rowland Hall—one of the earliest social spaces on the South Hill campus and the original home on the South Hill for the campus chaplains.
Readers can also explore excerpts of activities from former student organizations, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Pagan groups, alongside mention of other communities, including Bahá'í, Buddhist, and Mormon organizations that have had a documented, organized presence on campus. These stories reflect aspects of the diversity of our campus and the efforts of so many campus community members over the years.
Muller Chapel has been more than just a place of worship; it has been a site of weddings, a center for artistic expression, community dialogue, and service to others. It has also been a place of gathering during times of sorrow, hosting memorial services and vigils, and the space continues to adapt to meet the evolving needs of our campus community. Constructed in memory of Florence and Herman Muller, Muller Chapel is a testament to those who have worked to support the practice of religious and spiritual life at Ithaca College.
Join ORSL in exploring the rich history of Muller Chapel. Discover some of the people and stories that have shaped our community and continue to inspire future members of our campus community.
Read the digitized history of Muller Chapel linked here.
