Chapel

If you would like a chaplain to preside over your wedding, please contact the chaplain of your choice. As priests of The Episcopal Church, chaplains follow the diocese of Pennsylvania's requirements and will therefore meet with couples at least three times to discuss marriage, faith values, relationships, conflict resolution, the elements of a successful marriage, family, and development of Christian commitment.

EA chaplains may officiate weddings at any venue. If scheduled in advance, couples may choose to be married in the Class of 1944 Chapel on The Episcopal Academy campus for no charge. Note: our campus hosts many activities; therefore, it may not always be possible to accommodate parking for your guests. Therefore, the earlier you plan your wedding, the more likely you will have in securing a date.

Because The Episcopal Church and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have validated same-sex marriages, chaplains preside over all marriages as long as both people are fit to share in a mutually exclusive and loving relationship. Please note that at least one partner must be a baptized Christian to be married in The Episcopal Church.

As Episcopal priests, we are ordained to preside over the sacrament of marriage. Therefore, we do not preside over civil marriage ceremonies. However, we will collaborate with clergy of other Christian denominations and other faith traditions when two people of different traditions decide to marry. However, we cannot be part of a ceremony that denies the existence of the Trinity or rejects the divinity of Jesus Christ.

If you are interested in being baptized or having our child baptized, please contact the chaplain of your choice. The chaplain will review the process with you.

Chaplains preside over funerals at The Episcopal Academy. Please contact Fr. Tim Gavin for more information.

Chaplains pay visits to the hospital not to evangelize, but to provide support and to help the patient emotionally process all that he or she is experiencing. Chaplains will also visit extended family members of students, staff, teachers, and administrators.

In addition to providing emotional support, the chaplains can offer the sacraments: Eucharist, Healing, or Reconciliation.

The Chapel Theme acts as a central thematic thread throughout the school year.

Each spring, the Lower School Chapel Council, Middle School Chapel Council, Upper School Vestry, and the Volunteer Service Board solicit ideas for the theme that will form a purpose and focus for the spiritual development in the next academic year.

Chapel Theme for 2023-2024

"Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind." (Romans 12:2)

Each year, Lower School students work together to pack 10,000 meals for those who suffer from hunger. Before they pack the meals, students and faculty attend Chapel to hear scriptural readings focusing on caring for the underserved and a speech on the importance of feeding others.

Each May, first graders receive hymnals that symbolize their academic and spiritual development over the year. It marks their ability to read independently and participate fully in Chapel. In addition to first graders, all new students receive a hymnal at this special Chapel.

Each year, an age-appropriate speaker is invited to address a topics of religious, spiritual, or character development in Chapel.

During the second week of November, we honor our veterans and welcome an alumnus to give a Chapel address on the importance of Veterans Day and remembering those who served our country. Many members of The Episcopal Academy who have served in our armed forces attend this Chapel.

This Chapel has been named in honor of our former chair of the board, Edward H. Vick, Jr. ’62, who served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War as an officer of the U.S. Navy. He received two bronze star medals with Combat “V,” the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

At the beginning of each sports season, varsity athletes are invited to celebrate the Eucharist and participate in the blessing of the jerseys. This gives us an opportunity to illustrate Chapel's connection with what we do beyond the sanctuary.

To honor God’s creation and celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we have a blessing of the animals for the Chapel closest to October 4. This tradition reminds us that we are stewards of God’s creation.

Each year the recipient of the Benjamin H. Reed

'43 Scholarship gives a lecture on his or her service activity that was completed during the summer before senior year.

The Benjamin H. Reed '43 Scholar is judged based on two main criteria, including demonstrated excellent scholarship in history courses with emphasis on written and oral expression, and a written proposal describing an original and worthwhile project in the field of public service.

Prior to opening night of the school play, we have a special Eucharist in which we bless our school's artists, giving thanks for the many creative gifts they offer our community. This tradition reminds us to be grateful for our talents and the talent of others.