The Bishop O'Donnell Holy Name Memorial Chapel

The Bishop O'Donnell Holy Name Memorial Chapel serves as a focal point for the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, home to the offices of the Diocese of Madison as well as a place for education, rejuvenation, and recreation for the diocese. Central to the purpose of the Catholic Pastoral Center is providing a place for people to gather, worship, and pray.

The chapel was dedicated in 1964 and renovated in 1998. Stained glass windows designed by Conrad Schmitt Studios of New Berlin, Wisconsin, were installed as part of the renovation. Featured is the first North American depiction of Mother Teresa of Calcutta in stained glass since her death in 1997 and an image of Christ of the Handicapped, a tribute to the Apostolate to the Handicapped, established by Bishop Cletus F. O'Donnell in 1967 and directed ever since by Monsignor Thomas F. Campion.

The eight shrine windows depict holy American women and men, along with other saints significant for the Diocese of Madison. Also featured are windows that depict the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. The colors selected for the windows Mother Teresa of Calcutta window. complement those found in the reredos mosaic behind the altar. Original to the chapel, the 30-foot mosaic shows Christ, risen and glorified. Designed by German-born Milwaukee artist Felix G. Senger, it was assembled in Berlin, blending 360,000 pieces of glass and marble of various sizes and colors into a stunning image of the Lord Jesus.

The stained glass windows, shrines, altar, tabernacle, and other sanctuary furniture that are part of the recent renovation were made possible by donations from generous individuals. 

The Bishop O'Donnell Chapel, renamed by Bishop William H. Bullock in 1998 to honor the second bishop of Madison, provides a space for groups from throughout the diocese to worship together. Along with the celebration of daily Eucharist, the chapel is used for various occasions of communal prayer. The chapel is a space that also celebrates the goodness of creation embodied in beautiful artwork and is used on occasion for musical celebrations from our Diocesan Choir.