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Get the most interesting and important stories from the University of Pittsburgh.If you believe in fairytales, you might say the story of Varvara (A&S ’51) and Richard Golias (A&S ’50, ’51G) is one come true. The pair met while pursuing their Pitt degrees in a shared research lab.
“Mom always said my dad didn’t want to share his test tubes with her,” their daughter wrote in correspondence with Heinz Memorial Chapel staff. But the pair went on to get married Jan. 29, 1955, on a snowy Pittsburgh day at Heinz Chapel.
As the backdrop for love stories like the Golias’ since 1946, Heinz Chapel is arguably the most romantic place on campus.
“Whether you want to impress a date, get engaged or get married, it is utterly magical and romantic,” said Sandy Barsotti, director of marketing and communications for Pitt’s Office of Business, Hospitality and Auxiliary Services, which supports the chapel through its hospitality sector.
But it’s more than a location to celebrate love. Here’s what you might be surprised to learn about the Heinz Memorial Chapel, which celebrated its 85th anniversary in December:
1. Heinz Memorial Chapel was a gift to Pitt.
Constructed between 1933 and 1938, its neo-Gothic design mirrors chapels across Europe. As a gift to the University from H.J. Heinz and his children in 1938 — to honor his mother, Anna Margaretta Heinz — the chapel has been part of Pitt’s campus for 85 years.
2. An equal number of women and men are depicted in stained glass within the chapel’s four transept windows.
Those windows — some of the tallest stained-glass windows in the world — have themes of tolerance, courage, temperance and truth. Overall, there are 391 identifiable people in the stained-glass windows and nearly 425 animals and insects in the glass, stone and wood around the chapel.
You can celebrate Women’s History Month this March by attending a Women in the Windows Tour featuring the contributions of women featured in the chapel’s stained glass. Register now.
3. The chapel’s organ has 4,272 pipes.
“Some of the pipes are as small as your finger, with the largest being taller than you are,” said Heinz Memorial Chapel Manager Corinne Bechtel (BUS ’04), who coordinates the chapel’s day-to-day operations and programming. “It’s a beautiful part of the chapel because it fills the building with such incredible music.”
Pitt students learning to play the organ are permitted to practice on the instrument, which requires organ maintenance specialists, has a lifespan of 30-40 years and is the chapel’s third. It’s also common for professional organists to select the chapel as the venue for events and concerts.
4. Heinz Memorial Chapel is not just for weddings.
Guests can rent the space, which includes the adjacent garden, for events including vow renewals, photo sessions, concerts, funerals, baptisms, lectures, meetings, music recordings and more.
Seeking a new favorite study spot? Visitors can enjoy allocated quiet hours to study, pray or reflect. Meditation Mondays offer free guided meditation at lunchtime and quiet hours from 4 to 6 p.m.
5. The chapel is nonsecular.
“The Heinz family and University always meant for it to be open to anyone,” said Bechtel. “No ministers or clergy are housed in or tied directly to the building, and any religious organization on Pitt’s campus can hold free services.”
[Learn more about the range of religious ceremonies held each week.]
6. Everyone is welcome to wed at the chapel.
People of all denominations and faiths, as well as those wishing to marry in a civil ceremony, can host their wedding at the chapel. You don’t need to be a Pitt alum to say, “I do!”
“We get a lot of questions about what’s allowed, and I’m very proud to say that you can have any type of ceremony here that you like,” said Bechtel.
Each couple has two hours in the chapel for their ceremony and photos, with average ceremonies lasting around 20-30 minutes. This offers ample time for a relaxed ceremony and plenty of photos. Wedding venue tours are free and can be reserved online.
7. There is no yearslong “waiting list.”
The chapel operates on rolling reservations. Wedding bookings can be made with at least two months’ notice and up to two years in advance. The chapel can accommodate even less notice for an hourly space rental or a weekday wedding reservation. While there are popular weekends and dates, Bechtel emphasized that her team can accommodate requests.
8. It’s not costly to host an event at Heinz Chapel.
One-hour space rentals are available, which is ideal for smaller events. For Pitt-affiliated organizations and music groups, there are discounted and free rental packages available. For external organizations, pricing varies.
9. The chapel’s spire stands 124 feet tall.
Pitt’s Board of Trustees voted last year to maintain the iconic landmark’s spire with an $11 million renovation. Scaffolding erected as part of the renovation does not interfere with the interior of the building or its stained-glass windows. The scaffolding on the north side of the building cannot be seen from photos of the iconic front doors. “The work has had no impact on operations as the chapel staff welcome increasing numbers of visitors and guests attending services, weddings and events daily,” said Heinz Chapel Director Karen Sebolt (KGSB ’88).
10. It’s good luck to kiss on the steps.
According to legend, couples who kiss on the steps of the sanctuary are destined to host their wedding there.
11. You can purchase Heinz Memorial Chapel swag.
A tote bag featuring an illustration from a local artist and a coloring book are just a few items available for purchase online or at The University Store on Fifth.
12. Visitors are encouraged to come by.
You don’t have to be invited to a concert or wedding to see Heinz Memorial Chapel, which welcomed over 50,000 visitors in 2023.
Visit the website for operating hours or to schedule a tour.