The promise of a beautiful chapel: 160 years in the making

The beauty of Mary of the Angels (Maria Angelorum) Chapel is more than just artistry, it's a living testament to a promise made 160 years ago. In 1865, Mother Antonia Herb vowed that if God blessed the community, the sisters would establish Perpetual Adoration and build a chapel as beautiful as their means would allow. By 1906, that promise became reality.

Mother Ludovica Keller, who served as Mother General from 1882 to 1928, played a crucial role in bringing the chapel to life. Reflecting on this history, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Carrie Kirsch shares in her writing, “My Perspective: Sharing the ministry and beauty of adoration,” that “It must have been a leap of faith for Mother Ludovica Keller to accept design plans for such a large church from Eugene Leibert, a 35-year-old German-American architect from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1901.” With a team of artisans in Munich, every detail – from the intricate wood carvings by Egid Hackner to the stunning Bavarian stained-glass windows – was crafted to create a space worthy of Perpetual Adoration.

For Sister Carrie Kirsch, the chapel is more than a beautiful space – it’s a legacy of storytelling and spiritual connection. For more than eight years as chapel tour coordinator, Sister Carrie shares, “Our visitors experience that in so many ways – through the architecture, the beauty around them, the quietness, the reverence and the prayerful atmosphere.” Her favorite moments occur during feast days or saint days, when she finds herself making deep connections between the scriptures and the elements within the chapel. “Whether it’s a statue, a stained glass window, or an oil painting, I’m immediately drawn to what is being represented. It’s part of who I am now, and I love helping others make those connections too.”

For Sister Carrie and her team of tour guides, sharing the story of Mother Antonia’s promise is at the focus of every tour. “The promise is a major part of what we share. We tell the story in such a way that even if visitors aren’t Catholic, they understand the depth of faith that inspired the sisters to persevere.” Chapel tours often leave a lasting impact. Sister Carrie recalls moments when visitors, after spending a few quiet minutes in the Adoration Chapel, leave deeply moved – sometimes with tears in their eyes – having felt the profound presence of the Lord. “That’s worth all of what we are doing,” says Sister Carrie. 

Today, Mary of the Angels Chapel continues to reflect Mother Antonia's promise, inviting all who enter to experience its beauty, prayerful atmosphere and deep legacy of faith. As spring chapel tours resume, visitors are invited to step into history and experience its living presence. Whether drawn by the art, the architecture, or the spiritual atmosphere, visitors are welcomed into a story that has been unfolding for 160 years.