Spiritual life has been at the foundation of Rockford College since its founding as a female seminary in 1847. Aside from regular services that address the spiritual needs of the campus, traditional interfaith services celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and Baccalaureate.

The spiritual programming at Rockford College is "student-driven and needs-based". The Interfaith Council, comprised of students, faculty and staff, meets regularly to address the spiritual needs of the college community through its programming of special events, Christian concerts, speakers, and retreats.

Campus ministry is ever ready to provide opportunities to find strength through joined prayer in times of trouble or catastrophe.

Fisher Chapel, the home of the campus-based worship services, is an interfaith space that is open daily. It provides a quiet oasis with music, candles and comforting atmosphere amid the hectic campus activities.

Through links on this page students can find the availability of nearby local church services as well as connect with a student of that faith tradition who might be able to arrange transportation to a weekly service.

For more information on local churches of your faith tradition,
  please click on the desired link:

Christ United Methodist

Church First Assembly of God

First Evangelical Covenant
First Evangelical Free Church
Holy Family Catholic Church
Muslim Community Center & Mosque (815.397.3311)
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
St. Anskar Episcopalian Church (email)
Temple Beth El
Unitarian Universalist Church
Westminster Presbyterian

Catholic Campus Ministry

Elaine M. Sharpe, M.S., LCPC
Catholic Campus Minister
Phone: 815.226.4137
Office: Fisher Chapel

For more than 35 years the Diocese of Rockford has placed a Catholic Campus Minister at Rockford College. While approximately 35% of Rockford College is Catholic, Catholic Campus Ministry provides service to all students regardless of their faith tradition.

Catholic Campus Ministry is well known for its Mass and Pizza gatherings. On the first and third Wednesday of each month at 5:00PM mass is followed by pizza and conversation for all those who wish to "come for the prayer and stay for the pizza". Catholic students and their non-Catholic friends frequently join together at mass.

On campus, the Catholic Campus Ministry is also well known for its annual Holiday "Giving Tree" and Easter "Tree of Life". Each year the students, faculty and staff become Santa's elves gathering more than 200 Christmas gifts for children in the Rockford community. Each spring we pull together as a college community to provide 150 gifts to young teen parents and their children.

Catholic Campus Ministry offers:
* One-on-One Spiritual Direction
* One-on-One Conversations to "Sort Life Out"
* Opportunities to Serve Others
* Development of Leaders in a Faith Community
* A Quiet Place to "Come and Be"
* Workshops to Help You Grow
* Prayer and Liturgy Experiences
* Programs of Reflection
* Doors Open to All Students, Faculty and Staff

Every daffodil you see around Fisher Chapel each spring is in memory of a deceased loved one. Each November, as part of our annual campus-wide “Celebrate and Remember” memorial service we have the opportunity to plant a bulb in memory of someone special. The past two years we have added daffodils to the Jane Addams Peace Garden. This year we will add color to the flower beds in front of the library.

You are invited to join us at Fisher Chapel this Monday, November 8 th at noon for CELEBRATE and REMEMBER. This BRIEF interfaith experience will culminate by planting a daffodil bulb in memory of a loved one.

Next spring when you drive on to campus or walk to class, you will see the daffodils in bloom. You can once again remember in warm ways someone who has touched your life. If you have any questions, please contract Elaine Sharpe at 815.226.4137.