Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life
Brown University

Weddings and Blessing Ceremonies Guide 

What Furniture and Decorations Are Available in the Chapel and What Decorations May I Use?

As you see from the images, the chapel is in the Greco-Revival style, typical of the 1820s and 1830s. In many respects, it reflects the simplicity typical of its religious style of the Baptists, who founded Brown University. Filled with light even on cloudy days, the chapel is an ideal setting for many who wish to be married. Because of its clean style and understated decoration, it offers interesting opportunities for wedding decorations.

Some basic statistics about the chapel:

Construction: Stone

Building dimensions: 90 feet in length and 42 feet in width including the portico that faces Prospect Street. Chapel dimensions, 64 feet in length, 38 feet in wide, and about 25 feet in height.

Chapel location in Manning Hall: Second Floor

Access to Chapel: A double flight of stairs leads to the second floor from the building's vestibule on the portico side facing Prospect Street .

Handicap-accessibility: The building is accessible via a ramp on the portico side of the building and the chapel via a chair lift to the second floor. A Brown Facilities and Maintenance employee will be on hand at all times to work the chair lift.

Aisle Length: Aisle length is 53 feet; a service runner should be 50 feet.

Seating: The chapel holds 200, 13 pews on each side of the building.

Pews: Pews are tradition with kneelers and are stationary

Altar, lectern, and pulpit: All are available and are stationary

Use of Rice or Confetti: When the couple leaves Manning Chapel, no rice, confetti, or bird seed may be used. If it is, there is an additional fee for Facilities clean-up.

Organ/Piano: The chapel's Mason and Hamlin pipe organ, which sits in a loft, was refurbished in 1959 and was executed by the Wicks Organ Company of Highland , Illinois . In addition to the organ, the chapel has a full grand piano.

Sound system: The chapel has a sound system, which must be opened and closed by a Brown Facilities and Maintenance employee.

Restrooms in Manning Chapel: Restrooms are located on both the first and second floor of the building.

Additional Facilities Fees: If the chapel is not returned to its original condition after a service, the couple will be charged for any damage or additional Facilities clean-up fees.

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