The Heart of Vic, Restored and Remembered

By Samantha Chater

After months of careful restoration and redesign, the Victoria College Chapel has reopened, ushering in a new era for a space that has long stood at the heart of Victoria University.

The chapel, which opened in 1892, has been a cornerstone of campus life, hosting everything from weddings and concerts to lectures and religious services. Now, thanks to a generous $500,000 gift from Brian Johnston Vic 8T1 and his wife Colleen Johnston, the space has been transformed into a modern, multipurpose venue, without losing the spirit that has made it a meaningful place for generations of students and faculty.

“Our goal was to create a versatile space that could be used for events like weddings and dinners, as well as classes, town halls and exhibitions,” said Vikas Mehta, associate CAO of infrastructure and sustainability. “We wanted to retain the chapel’s heritage look and feel while improving functionality.”

The project navigated several challenges, from working within a heritage building to minimizing disruption in a busy academic hub.

The result is a space that blends historic elegance with modern functionality.

“Balancing heritage preservation with modern upgrades was a rewarding challenge,” said Kambiz Jahromi, director of campus operations, who led the project.

“We worked closely with design consultants, city inspectors and trades to deliver a space that respects the past and meets today’s needs.

Fixed pews were removed and replaced with flexible seating that allows the space to adapt to a wide range of events. A new accessibility ramp has been built into the stage and the ceiling has been redesigned to hide exposed plumbing.

The chapel’s iconic stainedglass windows have been carefully preserved. The original cast-iron columns have been restored and the 1964 organ pipes remain as a decorative feature above the entryway.

Soundproofing was a key focus of the renovation. New panelling, ceiling insulation and upgraded AV equipment make the space acoustically suitable for everything from intimate gatherings to largescale performances. Even the Wi-Fi signal has been improved.

“The lighting is now fully customizable,” Mehta said. “It’s designed to highlight the chapel’s heritage features, like the stained-glass windows.”

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