Skip to main content
Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College, a Spanish Colonial Revival building with a tall bell tower, red tile roof, and arched cloister, surrounded by green gardens and palm trees.

Knowles Memorial Chapel

Rollins' Knowles Memorial Chapel's tower lit at dusk with a crescent moon in the sky

The chapel and its services represent Rollins' unique heritage and adventurous founding. From morning until late at night, the chapel provides a place of meeting, a place of quiet, and a visible reminder of the relationship between spiritual life and the academic search for truth.

Fun Fact: The bell in the chapel tower, which first called students to class on the opening day of Rollins in 1885, is still rung today to mark special occasions and significant moments in the life of the College and local community.

About Knowles Memorial Chapel

The Dean of Spiritual Life & Interfaith Engagement acts as the pastor of the College. There are weekly gatherings for prayer, communion, and meditation, and Interfaith programming that provide a distinct aspect of student life at Rollins. The Dean of Spiritual Life & Interfaith Engagement also provides pastoral and personal counseling to staff and students, regardless of religious orientation.

Through worship, study groups, fellowship, Bible studies, and retreats at the chapel, spiritual life and interfaith engagement values are enhanced, and students are encouraged to grow in their religious understanding and faithfulness.

Worship Services

Special services and gatherings are held throughout the academic year in Knowles Memorial Chapel, including observances of significant high holy days and other meaningful occasions. Led by the Dean of Spiritual Life & Interfaith Engagement, these gatherings offer opportunities for reflection, prayer, and community, and they are open to all who wish to attend.

Student Religious & Spiritual Life

Religious and Spiritual Life at Rollins is valued across a wide spectrum of faiths, spiritual traditions, and expressions. The campus fosters an open and inclusive climate while supporting all faith and spiritual journeys.

Learn More
A conductor leads a large choir and orchestra during a performance.

Music & the Arts

Music plays a major role in the life of Knowles Chapel. The Rollins College Choir sings at the Christmas Vespers, and services for Family Weekend and Founders Day, Alumni Reunion Weekend, Easter and Baccalaureate. Concerts and recitals are presented in the chapel all through the school year. The 155 voices of the Bach Festival Choir perform to standing room only at the annual, renowned Bach Festival held in the chapel every winter.

Visit Bach Festival Website
A bride and groom in Rollins' rose garden

Weddings at Rollins

Get married in the picturesque Knowles Memorial Chapel that exudes class and elegance. Learn more by contacting 1885 Events.

Explore Weddings at Rollins

Meet the Chapel Team

  • Self portrait of Harold Dorrell Briscoe

    Rev. Dr. Harold Dorrell Briscoe, PhD, DMin

    Dean of Spiritual Life and Interfaith Engagement

    407.646.2440

    Visit site

  • Heidi Zissman, MS, Ed

    Associate Director of Jewish Life

    407.646.2115

  • Cari Rotenberger

    Program Coordinator