The University has two chapels: St Salvator's Chapel and St Leonard's Chapel. These chapels – both of which date back to the 15th century – are the central points for most University services of worship. Services in the University chapels are organised by the Chaplaincy team, headed up by the Chaplain to the University, the Rev Dr Donald MacEwan.
Students, staff and members of the public are all welcome to attend the services and prayer meetings in the University chapels.
For information about getting married in the University chapels, please take a look at the weddings pages.
Due to the present circumstances, the Chaplaincy building (Mansefield) is now closed for all meetings, gatherings and appointments until further notice. Both St Salvator's and St Leonard's Chapel buildings are also closed. The Chaplaincy is continuing to offer Worship through various online platforms and notification of these events can be found on the Chaplaincy Facebook page and also through the Chaplaincy newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter email the Chaplaincy team on chaplaincy@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Worship in St Salvator's Chapel
The University invites all visitors to the chapel to share in its on-going life of prayer, whether by taking time to sit and pray, enjoying its silence or its music, or by joining in worship.
St Salvator's Chapel is open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday for individual prayer and meditation. The chapel is also open from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays year round, and 9am to 5pm on Sundays outside of term time, subject to bookings.
St Salvator's Chapel seats approximately 320. The pews face each other across the Chapel in collegiate style in the main part, with chairs facing forward in the ante-Chapel, behind a decorative screen. There is wheelchair access to the Chapel via the north entrance.
A weekly University service takes place each Sunday with St Salvator's Chapel Choir and distinguished visiting preachers. An optional Eucharist follows each service; this is an interdenominational service to which all are welcome to share communion.
Two-thirds of chapel offerings from the Sunday service are given to charity and one-third goes to the work of the Chaplaincy.
A 45-minute service of prayer, both spoken and sung, mainly by the St Salvator's Chapel Choir.
Wednesdays at 5.30pm and Sundays at 6:30 pm.
Worship in St Leonard's Chapel
Situated within the grounds of St Leonards School, St Leonard's Chapel is a much smaller and more intimate setting than St Salvator's Chapel. It seats approximately 60 people, and as it is built in a traditional mediaeval style, pews face each other in collegiate style. Visitors should note that there is one small step into the Chapel.
St Leonard's Chapel is only open by arrangement, but visitors are welcome to attend the following services and meetings.
A candlelight service of night prayer lasting approximately 30 minutes, and including spoken prayer and choral music from St Leonard’s Chapel Choir, runs term time.
Thursday night from 10pm, during term time and June Graduation week.
Orthodox services take place in St Leonard’s Chapel in Greek and English. Details of when the next Orthodox Liturgies will take place can be found at Orthodox Liturgies.
Every Tuesday during term time at 1pm in St Leonard's Chapel.
Evening prayers at 4pm in St Mary’s College Bunk Room.
Chaplaincy - Mansefield building
Situated across from the Students Union. There are number of faith events involving prayer and meditation run from the Mansefield building, these include Muslim Prayers, Buddhist Meditation, Jewish Prayers and more. Contact chaplaincy@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information.
Prayer Meetings organised and run by the student society, St Andrews University Christian Union, are held every Thursday during term time from 7.30am in the Chaplaincy, Lochnagar room.
For further information contact the Christian Union direct via Facebook.
Meditation sessions organised by the St Andrews Buddhist Meditation Group, run by our Honorary Buddhist Chaplain, Dr Sam Pehrson, are held during term time in the Chaplaincy, Lochnagar room.
The Jewish Community of Tayside and Fife (including students) typically gather on the first Saturday of each month during term time in the Chaplaincy, Lochnagar room for Shabbat morning services.
Jumuah prayers (Muslim) take place weekly throughout the year on Fridays at 1.15pm in the Chaplaincy, Lochnagar room.
In the middle of your week, Wednesdays 1pm to 2pm during term time, Quakers offer time to reflect in peace, tranquillity and silence in the Chaplaincy Lounge.
There are many places for private prayer and meditation in the University, for both students and staff.
St Salvator's Chapel is generally available Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm, although occasionally there are times when the chapel is unavailable due to bookings.
The Multi-faith space on the third floor in Agnes Blackadder Hall on the North Haugh, during term time only.
The Islamic prayer rooms are located on the first floor of the Chaplaincy, Mansefield Building.