Chaplaincy

Our multi-faith chaplaincy is a safe and welcoming space for people of all faiths and none. We work across the whole university, offering pastoral, spiritual, and religious support and fostering a diverse community through our spaces and events.

Meet The Team

Chaplaincy group engaging in outdoor arts and crafts activity, fostering community and spiritual connection.

Mission, Vision and Values

Graduate in a church

Chaplaincy Spaces

Welcoming entrance to the Chaplaincy Community Hub with garden signage and blooming flowers.

Listening and Pastoral Support

Two people having a casual conversation over coffee at a round white table in a bright modern kitchen with large windows and contemporary appliances.

Religion and Belief

Inside of Chapel

Get Involved

Four people engaged in arts and crafts around a table with colored pencils, paper, and yarn in a cozy indoor setting with a bulletin board and wall decorations.

Our beautiful University Chapel built in the 1840s

Chapel remains an important sacred space for us as a learning community where people can find a peaceful moment, light a candle, and meet for prayer and weekly chapel services. Throughout the year we have special Chapel services such as smaller graduation services and carol services and these are wonderful occasions. Some students and staff choose to get married or have their children baptised in Chapel, and these are services full of joy.

Meet The Team

Revd Dr Gill Reeve

Senior University Chaplain and Dean of Chapel
Revd Dr Gill Reeve headshot

Imam Zeryab Elhassan

Muslim Chaplain
Zeryab Elhassan

Ramitha Nittore

Assistant Chaplain (Hindu)
Ramitha Nittore

Chaplaincy Spaces

  • Community Hub: At Exton Park, the Chaplaincy Team is conveniently located in the Community Hub, right next to the Binks building. The Community Hub offers a warm and welcoming environment with cosy common rooms, bookable meeting spaces, a small study room, and a quiet room for relaxation. There’s also a kitchen where you can enjoy hot or cold drinks and prepare simple meals. The Chaplaincy staff’s offices are situated on the ground floor of this building, making it easy to connect with them whenever you need support or advice.
  • Chapel: Exton Park is also home to the University Chapel, one of the University’s original buildings, which was built by some of our very earliest students and opened in 1847. The University Chapel hosts our regular weekly programme of worship, as well as occasional services such as weddings, baptisms and memorial services.
  • Muslim Prayer Rooms: The Old Pavilion Annexe Muslim Prayer Rooms (the large grey portacabin tucked in between Westminster Building and the Now Food Centre) is home to a large prayer room, lockable male and female Wudhu facilities and shoe racks, and a small Community Kitchen for food and drinks. The Prayer Room is open all day for use by students and staff using your student ID card for access.

  • Muslim Prayer Rooms in Churchill: The Prayer Rooms at Queen's Park are located in Churchill Building, basement rooms. Separate male and female washing facilities and prayer spaces. Signposted from the foyer in Churchill.
  • Chaplaincy Quiet Room CBH012 – Bridge building, ground floor. A drop-in quiet space for student and staff for reflection and prayer. Mindfulness resources available.

  • Muslim Prayer Room CRV321 has been set aside as a Faith Space​ in Wheeler building. Wudhu facilities are available. Separate male and female washing facilities and prayer spaces.
  • Chaplaincy Quiet Room – second floor CRV245 A drop-in quiet space for student and staff for reflection and prayer. Mindfulness resources available.

  • A chaplaincy quiet room is being developed, information will be updated soon.

  • Muslim Prayer Room with washing facilities, ground floor.

  • Muslim Prayer Room Remond House with washing facilities. The Prayer Room is open all day for use by students and staff who have access to Remond House. Ground floor, near the student common room:  WRH004.

  • HMA014 Muslim Prayer Room with washing facilities and lockers. Ground floor.
Report an issue at a chaplaincy space

Listening and Pastoral Support

You can always count on us for a listening ear and are here to support you, whether you’re religious or not.

Our Chaplains are here for everyone at the university, dedicated to welcoming and supporting students and staff from all backgrounds. We strive to help you feel a sense of belonging, regardless of your religion, beliefs or worldview. Our Chaplains come from a range of religious communities, and we are here to offer support to all students and staff.

We’re here for you whether you’ve got a question you’re mulling over, struggling to settle at the university, experiencing loss or bereavement, finding it difficult to balance work and life, not knowing where to turn for help, worried about family or friends or even just fancy a cup of tea and a chat.

If you need someone to talk to, simply email us at chaplaincy@chester.ac.uk to arrange a chat or drop into the Community Hub (Exton Park) Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Religion and Belief

The University, and Chaplaincy specifically, are committed to the inclusion of people of all faiths and worldviews. Chaplaincy actively supports people to practise their religion within the context of their working and academic life.

As well as our employed Christian, Muslim and Hindu chaplaincy representatives, we also have several associate chaplains who represent a much wider range of faith backgrounds. If you are looking for support with your faith or help linking up to a local faith community then please don’t hesitate to reach out via chaplaincy@chester.ac.uk.

Chaplaincy is responsible for several spaces across the University which you can access to pray, meditate or simply take some quiet time. Our University Chapel, on Exton Park Campus, is open every weekday for all students and staff who need a quiet space to reflect, pray or simply be. We have Muslim Prayer Rooms across all our university sites and Chaplaincy Quiet Rooms on many of our sites too. Please see Chaplaincy Spaces for more information.

Chaplaincy has a good relationship with our University’s Theology and Religious Studies (TRS) department and work together on projects and placements through the year.

Chaplaincy also has a good relationship with the team at Chester Cathedral who we often collaborate with on interfaith projects and services.

Religious Festivals and Holy Days

  • Muslim Festivals and Holy Days
  • Christian Festivals and Holy Days
  • Jewish Festivals and Holy Days
  • Buddhist Festivals and Holy Days
  • Hindu Festivals and Holy Days
  • Sikh Festivals and Holy Days

inside of chapel with pews and stained glass

University of Chester Chapel