Our Campus

Sacred Heart Chapel has been a prominent part of the landscape at the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill for well over a century. Built in 1914, this well-known landmark offers a space that is truly magnificent.

Surrounded by pristine grounds, the Chapel’s semi-gothic structure is constructed of tapestry brick, trimmed with limestone. At the entrance are three opulent carved wooden doors, which lead to the clerestoried nave, 128 feet long and 75 feet wide, divided by columns and arches.

A large crucifixion scene, painted by F. Baraldi, towers above the main altar, which, along with the two side altars, is carved in Italian marble by Bernadine Statuary Company.

High in the nave, beautifully decorated clerestory windows sit above pointed arches, and just above the arches are the twelve Apostles represented in fine fresco style.

In 1925-1926, three immense gothic windows were installed by Daprato Statuary, one in each arm of the transept - “Our Lady of the Rosary” and “Christ Blessing the Children.” The third window, “The Sacred Heart of Jesus in Glory,” sits majestically over the main entrance, behind the organ. In the walls of the nave are thirty small, stain-glassed windows, depicting the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary.

Designed to accommodate the acoustics of the building, the Peragallo pipe organ was installed in 1932. In 1936, the magnificent terrazzo floor and marble mosaics were laid, followed by the installation of wood paneling and new choir stalls. The Stations of the Cross were erected in 1937.

The Sacred Heart Chapel serves as a monument to the Sisters and to the community, representing the strength, love, and kindness shown by our founding Sisters.