Sacred Spaces

Available Spaces

The Arboretum

The Arboretum is a nature preserve just blocks away from South Bowl with trails, ponds, and woods to explore. This space is often used by students to meditate, create art, and relax.

Chabad at Oberlin

Chabad at Oberlin is located at 214 W. College St. It features a fully stocked Judaica library and a place that serves as a “home away from home” for Jewish students. Chabad hosts weekly lunch and learns and Shabbos dinners. Throughout the week, there are many other activities for students to engage with their Jewish identity and community as well as meet with Rabbi Shlomo or Devorah. There is also a lounge which has open Wi-Fi, snacks, coffee, tea, a study space, video games, books, a foosball table, and comfy seating. 

The lounge is open 24 hours a day for students to come and go. For more, see the Chabad website.

Community Churches

There are almost 20 different Christian churches within the town of Oberlin, including UCC, Episcopal/Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic, Evangelical, and historically Black congregations. Several churches are just steps away from campus, and many more will arrange for transportation for students. These churches often have active young adult ministries and corresponding student organizations, and are frequently used as social and sacred spaces by students.

Fairchild Chapel

Fairchild Chapel is an intimate, Medieval-inspired sandstone chapel named for James Harris Fairchild, who served as college president from 1866-89. This space houses two organs dedicated to performing 17th-century repertoire. It was part of the former Oberlin Graduate School of Theology.

Students can use this space for meditation and prayer. To ensure the chapel is unlocked, it is strongly recommended that students put a reservation in through Oberlin’s EMS software (which can be found on Oberview). Fairchild is often used for concerts, particularly in organ and historical music. It is also available as a wedding venue.

Finney Chapel

Finney Chapel is a 1,200-seat chapel owned by Oberlin College, built in 1908 and designed by the famous architect Cass Gilbert. It is named after Charles Grandison Finney, a leader in the Second Great Awakening who was named president of the college in 1852. Finney Chapel prominently features a monumental C.B. Fisk pipe organ and is mainly used as a large concert, rehearsal, and event space for students, faculty, and guest artists. 

Finney is kept locked except for its use as an event space.

Oberlin Hillel

Oberlin Hillel is located at 21 West College Street. Hillel is a pluralistic Jewish community that welcomes students of all backgrounds. It hosts several social and worship events per week, including Shabbat. For more information, please see the Hillel website.

The Lewis House

The Lewis House, which is home to Multifaith Chaplaincy & Sustained Dialogue, also hosts the Oberlin Buddhist Fellowship, which offers multiple meditation sessions per week. 

To inquire about reserving the Lewis House, please reach out to the multifaith chaplain.

Shansi House

The Shansi House, built in 1837, promotes understanding and communication between Asians and Americans through educational programs and community projects. It is available to student and community groups in search of a space for meeting, eating, and communing. Oberlin Young Friends have weekly Quaker meetings here. Request to reserve Shansi House with this form.

Tappan Square

The outdoors at Oberlin provide countless opportunities for reflection, healing, and wholeness. The trees and benches at Tappan Square are beautiful places to pause, reflect, and connect with nature and friends.

Wilder Hall Prayer Room

Wilder Hall room 321 is the Muslim Student Association’s designated prayer space. If students are looking to get involved in weekly congregational prayers, they can contact the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life for more information. 

For swipe access to the space, please contact the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.