A Historic Heart Reimagined: Victoria College Chapel Reopens

^{Community members gathered on June 19, 2025, to celebrate the chapel’s reopening after months of restoration. (Photo by Neil Gaikwad)}

By Samantha Chater 

After months of careful restoration and redesign, the Victoria College Chapel has reopened, ushering in a new era for a space that has long stood at the heart of Victoria University. 

The chapel, which opened in 1892, has long been a cornerstone of campus life, hosting everything from weddings and concerts to lectures and religious services. Now, thanks to a generous $500,000 gift from Brian Johnston Vic 8T1 and his wife Colleen Johnston, the space has been transformed into a modern, multipurpose venue—without losing the spirit that has made it a meaningful place for generations of students and faculty. 

“Our goal was to create a versatile space that could be used for events like weddings and dinners, as well as classes, town halls and exhibitions,” said Vikas Mehta, associate CAO of operations, infrastructure and sustainability. “We wanted to retain the chapel’s heritage look and feel while improving functionality.” 

The project navigated several challenges, from working within a heritage building to minimizing disruption in a busy academic hub. The result is a space that blends historic elegance with modern functionality. 

^{Renovations began in 2024, with the goal of blending 19th-century charm with 21st-century upgrades. (Photo by Kambiz Jahromi)}

“Balancing heritage preservation with modern upgrades was a rewarding challenge,” said Kambiz Jahromi, director of campus operations, who led the project.  

“We worked closely with design consultants, city inspectors and trades to deliver a space that respects the past and meets today’s needs. The chapel now supports diverse programming, from concerts to lectures, with improved accessibility, acoustics and infrastructure.” 

The fixed pews have been removed and replaced with flexible seating that allows the space to adapt to a wide range of events—from formal dinners and exhibitions to town halls and classes. A new accessibility ramp has been built into the stage and the ceiling has been redesigned to hide exposed plumbing, creating a cleaner, more polished look. 

The chapel’s iconic stained-glass windows, featuring figures like John Milton and Sir Isaac Newton, have been carefully preserved. Three damaged windows were replaced with smart glass that can be darkened as needed. The original cast-iron columns have been restored and the organ pipes from 1964 remain as a decorative feature above the entryway. 

^{The renewed stage offers improved accessibility and acoustics, ready to host everything from lectures to concerts. (Photo by Neil Gaikwad)}

Soundproofing was a key focus of the renovation. New panelling, ceiling insulation and upgraded AV equipment—including six microphones and modern speakers—make the space acoustically suitable for everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale performances. Even the Wi-Fi signal has been improved. 

“The lighting is now fully customizable,” Mehta said. “It’s designed to highlight the chapel’s heritage features, like the stained-glass windows.” 

The transformation was celebrated at a community open house on June 19, where students, alumni and faculty gathered to experience the renewed space firsthand.