St. Martin de Porres Chapel

Chapel of St. Martin de Porres
given by Gayle and Tom Benson

The Chapel was dedicated on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 10:00am.

See construction and dedication Mass photos below

by Carolyn Scofield, published to Tulane News

A $500,000 gift from the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation will fund completion of the chapel in the Fr. Val McInnes, OP, Center for Catholic Life. The chapel, located on Tulane University’s uptown campus, will be named The Chapel of St. Martin de Porres, donated by Gayle and Tom Benson.

The Fr. Val Ambrose McInnes, O.P. Center for Catholic Life opened in 2015 as a new home and starting point for efforts to strengthen the Catholic presence on campus and better serve the Tulane community. Fundraising has been ongoing for construction and maintenance of the center, including putting the final touches on the 140-seat chapel.

As a gift to close the new center’s capital campaign, the donation will help to provide artwork, furnishings, and other improvements for the chapel.

“We are very excited to finish the chapel thanks to the generosity of the Bensons and to name it for St. Martin de Porres, a great apostle of charity and patron of social justice who, despite suffering greatly because of his mixed race, set a profound example of love of God and neighbor,” says Fr. Thomas Schaefgen, chaplain of Tulane Catholic Center.

 “The chapel will be a space of refuge and transcendent beauty for all those at Tulane who seek an encounter with God. Tulanians for many generations to come will find a place here to set aside the cares of the world and encounter the beauty of God through art, light, prayer, music and the sacred liturgy,” Schaefgen adds.

"St. Martin de Porres was committed to inclusivity and harmony, so it is fitting that a space that is open to Tulanians from all walks of life be named in his honor,” says Gayle Benson.  “I am proud and honored to help Tulane students, faculty, alumni and staff experience the beauty and love of the Catholic religion."

When was the chapel finished? 
Construction began shortly after Commencement in late May 2019 and was completed in November 2019. The Chapel was dedicated on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 10:00 am.

Why is this work being done? 
Since the first century, Christians have dedicated resources to providing lasting and beautiful spaces, vestments, and vessels for sacred worship. Artistic beauty, as a sign of human cooperation in God's creation, lifts the heart and mind to God. In addition to the added aesthetic value, changes to the chapel will allow for better use of space (more room for the choir, more legroom between pews, etc.) and an architectural and artistic environment which, as a whole, directs the senses to the worship of God.

Can't the money be used for something else? 
We are continually raising funds to supply the daily needs of ministry at Tulane Catholic. However, this gift is designated for the capital campaign and will close out the campaign and provide for a beautiful worship space for the Tulane Catholic community. 

Are there other opportunities to give or dedicate items for the chapel?
Yes!  There are a few opportunities that remain to dedicate some of the art and spaces (stained glass, sacristy, ambry, confessional, etc.) in the chapel. Please contact Morgan Landry, Director of Development, for more information about these opportunities. mlandry13@tulane.edu or 504-866-0984

Who is St. Martin de Porres?
He is a mixed-race Dominican Saint from 16-17th century Peru known for his miracles of healing and charity to the poor and underprivileged.  Read more about Martin here!

What's in the mural behind the altar?
The mural behind the altar depicts Christ Crucified (the lamb who was slain) adored in heavenly worship by the angels and saints--see Revelation 5:1-14--(specifically, Saint Martin de Porres and the Blessed Virgin Mary).  The blood of Christ flows out upon the heavenly Jerusalem, seen at the base of the mural, giving life to all, Revelation 21:22 & 22:1.