SPRINGFIELD—For the first time in two years, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield’s Sacred Heart Convent Chapel will open to the public for self-guided tours, an exhibit, and a presentation by eminent architectural historian Anthony Rubano.

 

The Dominican Sisters will host the exhibit “Reading Light: Sacred Art & Architecture” in collaboration with the Liturgical Arts Festival of Springfield, 6-8 p.m., May 9. The convent chapel is at 1237 W. Monroe St. 

 

Doors open at 6 p.m. for self-guided tours of the chapel. Local architectural historian Anthony Rubano will discuss the architectural history of the mid-century modern chapel at 7 p.m. in Aquinas Center beneath the chapel. 

 

Aquinas Center will also hold an exhibit demonstrating the use of light and glass in various religious traditions. 

 

“It will be a pleasure to welcome guests to the chapel again,” said Sister Beth Murphy, OP, the Dominican Sisters’ communication director. 

 

“Anyone who has enjoyed one of Anthony Rubano’s downtown tours knows they will be entertained and informed by his presentation,” she said.

 

Dedicated in 1968, the chapel is among the largest U.S. works of Gabriel Loire, a prolific French glass artist who began his career replacing windows in European churches after World War II. 

 

The chapel contains 4,000 sq. ft. of dalle de vere, or faceted, glass windows designed by Loire at his studio near Chartres. It also features two large Venetian glass mosaics and other sacred furnishings designed by the Chicago-based Daprato Rigali Studios, which has also restored much liturgical art in the parishes of the Diocese of Rockford.

 

Guests can download free tour materials when they register in advance at https://springfieldop.org/LAFS