Point Loma Nazarene University Prescott Chapel by Carrier Johnson + Culture

Perched above the dramatic cliffs of Sunset Cliffs with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the Prescott Chapel at Point Loma Nazarene University stands as a serene beacon of faith and reflection. Commissioned to replace the university’s previous chapel and anchor the campus entrance to the north, this new spiritual sanctuary was conceived to physically embody eleven guiding principles central to the campus community: God’s presence, spiritual anchor, Christ’s embrace, a path to Christ, spiritual beacon, connection to Christ, light of the world, the power of God’s light, remembrance, God as nature, and expressing intention.

A Ceremonial Journey

The approach to the chapel is designed as a deliberate journey of the body, mind, and spirit. Visitors are led along a winding path that ascends the hill, flanked by carefully curated plantings and contemplative spaces. Along the way, three outdoor garden prayer areas offer moments for reflection, and a preserved tea tree provides a natural canopy for quiet meditation. The path’s choreography encourages visitors to transition from the broader campus environment to the intimate spiritual core of the chapel, fostering a sense of anticipation and mindfulness before entry.

The chapel’s entrance itself plays with scale to enhance this progression. A large, welcoming entry compresses as one moves through the doorway, creating a subtle embrace that envelops visitors and establishes a feeling of comfort and spiritual grounding. Beyond the threshold, the interior dramatically opens, lifting the gaze toward a suspended woven wooden nest, an architectural interpretation of Christ’s crown of thorns that serves as the centerpiece of the chapel’s sacred space.

Materiality and Meaning

Materials are carefully chosen to convey both permanence and warmth, embodying Christ’s presence in tangible form. Structural elements of concrete and rammed earth communicate strength and stability, grounding the chapel in its rocky clifftop setting. Complementary organic materials, including wood and wicker, evoke a sense of warmth and spiritual embrace. Earth-tone colors dominate the palette, harmonizing the building with its natural surroundings while fostering a tranquil, contemplative atmosphere.

The chapel’s interior prioritizes simplicity and clarity, using pure geometric forms to focus attention on spiritual reflection without distraction. The space intentionally forgoes traditional pews, allowing for a flexible, open environment that emphasizes individual engagement. Diffuse, filtered light passes through intricate wicker screens, bathing the interior in a soft, ambient glow that encourages calmness and introspection.

A Centerpiece of Faith

A defining feature of the Prescott Chapel is its free-standing cross, composed of hickory and stainless steel. Set 33 feet from the entrance—a symbolic reference to Christ’s age at his death—the cross occupies the nave as a three-dimensional focal point, allowing visitors to approach it from all sides. This placement diverges from traditional chapels where the cross is fixed to a wall, reinforcing the idea of Christ’s presence as approachable and tangible. Visitors are invited to write letters and attach them to the cross, continuing a cherished tradition from the previous chapel and fostering a personal, participatory connection to the space.

Radiating from the cross are three intimate prayer spaces, reflecting the Trinity and providing private moments for meditation and devotion. Enclosed by screens of wooden planks, these areas offer seclusion while still maintaining visual connections to the main space, enabling visitors to feel both protected and integrated within the chapel’s larger spiritual environment.

Integration with Nature and Spirituality

The chapel’s architecture seamlessly blends with the surrounding landscape, celebrating the natural beauty of its cliffside site while maintaining the university’s spiritual ethos. Outdoor prayer gardens and contemplative areas reinforce the connection between the sacred and the natural world, allowing visitors to engage with God’s presence in both built and organic contexts.

Although compact in scale, the Prescott Chapel’s careful design and thoughtful materiality create a sense of expansiveness and reverence. Every element, from the winding approach to the suspended wooden nest, from the earthy textures to the ambient lighting, is orchestrated to support a holistic experience of reflection, prayer, and spiritual grounding.

A Beloved Sanctuary

The Prescott Chapel is more than an architectural landmark; it is a built expression of the university’s pious spirituality. As a private retreat for meditation and prayer, it offers an intimate yet profoundly moving environment for students, faculty, and visitors alike. Through its purposeful design, the chapel embodies the principles of faith and contemplation, providing a space where the physical, emotional, and spiritual converge—a sanctuary where one can connect deeply with Christ while being embraced by the serene coastal landscape.

Photography: Lawrence Anderson Photography