Willamette University was founded by Jason Lee and the same Methodist missionaries who opened the Oregon territory to U.S. settlement in the late 1830's.

True to its roots, Willamette recognizes the significance of religion in personal and community life.

The Office of the Chaplain thus offers a wide variety of opportunities which foster spiritual growth and understanding as well as religious commitment and action.

The University Chaplain is charged to work with persons of all religious persuasions -- and of none. Proselytizing is not part of the program; progress along one's own path is.

• Worship takes place in Cone Chapel during Opening Days, Parents and Family Weekend, just before Christmas and at other religious holidays and in Smith Auditorium at Baccalaureate during Commencement Weekend.
• University Convocation brings speakers, musicians or other performers -- often with a spiritual message or an ethical one -- to Cone Chapel every Thursday when Liberal Arts classes are in session, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Religious Counseling dealing with spiritual, vocational or personal issues is available to all members of the university community.
• The Office of the Chaplain Library with its collection of biblical and theological reference materials, devotional literature, vocational resources and current religious magazines is open during regular business hours for browsing. Some materials may also be loaned to members of the campus community.

To help staff plan programming or to sign up for our mailing list, students are asked to complete our religious preference survey online.