ORU Announces Renovations to Historic Christ's Chapel

The University's Central Worship Space is Renewed for a new Generation
of Spirit-empowered Students

Tulsa, Oklahoma, August 20, 2026—Oral Roberts University (ORU) has completed a comprehensive renovation of Christ's Chapel, renewing one of the University's primary worship, teaching, and community spaces for generations to come. The 77,566-square-foot chapel accommodates more than 3,000 people and serves as a defining gathering place for the ORU community. During the academic year, students attend chapel twice each week, joining faculty and staff for student-led worship and messages from Christian leaders. The facility also supports weekly classes, campus events, and commencement ceremonies each May.

“For generations, Christ's Chapel has stood at the spiritual heart of Oral Roberts University,” said Dr. William M. Wilson, ORU President, “a sacred place where thousands have encountered God, answered His call, and been equipped to carry His healing power to the ends of the earth. This renovation is more than an investment in a building; it is an investment in the spiritual formation of generations yet to come. We are grateful to God and to every person whose skill, generosity, and faithful stewardship prepared this house of worship for our growing community.” 

 

 

Together, these improvements create a cohesive and welcoming experience from the building's entrances to its worship spaces, preserving the familiar identity of Christ's Chapel and strengthening its function, comfort, appearance, acoustics, and long-term performance.

The Chapel Experience

The first Chapel service of the Fall semester will be Friday, August 21, with Dr. Wilson ministering. To watch Chapel live, you can tune in every Wednesday and Friday at oru.edu/chapel, ORU Facebook, and ORU YouTube.

Chapel is central to ORU's one-of-a-kind Whole Person Education. Twice each week throughout the academic year, students, faculty, and staff gather to unite as a community, glorify God, and connect with the Holy Spirit. Hosting speakers and leaders from around the world, Chapel creates a shared community of worship, reflection, and spiritual formation that’s unique to the ORU experience.  

Part of the Chapel experience includes student-led worship, featuring ORU Worship. This collection of student musicians helps shape the sound and spiritual atmosphere of Chapel. As a program, ORU Worship develops leaders and artists who are Spirit-empowered, biblically sound, pure-hearted, and creatively skilled.  

Kimmie Simon, Director of the ORU Worship Center, shared, “The newly renovated Christ’s Chapel is a beautiful example of ORU stewarding God’s presence, serving the student body, and fostering an environment for people to encounter the Lord. We are excited about the added space at the altar for ministry and worship, updated seating, acoustic treatments, and much more!” 

Project at a Glance

• Facility: Christ's Chapel
• Facility size: 77,566 square feet
• Capacity: More than 3,000 occupants
• Main auditorium: More than 3,000 new fixed seats, new LVP and carpet flooring, complete repainting, and DMX-controlled pendant lighting
• Acoustical improvements: Custom three-layer back-wall and concave-mezzanine treatment, plus improved treatment over previous wood paneling
• Additional interior areas: Holy Spirit Chapel, Kennedy Chapel, lobby, aisles, corridors, flex rooms, offices, and restrooms
• Exterior improvements: Facade painting, Pacifica clear blue glass, sidewalk replacement, and landscape repairs
• Ongoing use: Twice-weekly chapel, weekly classes, campus programming, and annual commencement ceremonies

Nationally Ranked, Globally Recognized

ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 17 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. In 2024, the Carnegie Foundation recognized ORU with a “Leadership for Public Purpose” award, a distinction earned by only 25 universities nationwide. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 176 nations in the last 7 years to be whole leaders for the whole world.