Chapel of St. Basil

Chapel · Museum District

Chapel of St. Basil

Chapel · Museum District

2

Malloy Hall, 1018 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006

Photos

Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null
Chapel of St. Basil by null

Highlights

Nestled in St. Thomas University, Philip Johnson's Chapel of St. Basil dazzles with its serene curves, glowing glass cross, and a tranquil labyrinth.  

Placeholder
Placeholder

Malloy Hall, 1018 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006 Get directions

stthom.edu

Information

Static Map

Malloy Hall, 1018 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006 Get directions

+1 713 525 3589
stthom.edu

Features

restroom
wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance
wheelchair accessible restroom

Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@onthegrid

On the Grid : Chapel of St. Basil

"The day we first visited the Chapel of St. Basil coincided with French Mass. There were dozens of children running around the church yard, dressed in their Sunday best speaking and screaming in French. Inside the chapel itself an organist and singer were practicing for service. It all felt very surreal and beautiful. The chapel is located inside St. Thomas University, and was designed by Philip Johnson in 1997. The structure is made of many beautiful curves and stark edges, making the chapel a centerpiece in the University. There are no interior lights, and there is no need with ample light from skylights and candles. You can visit the Chapel anytime during open hours, no need to be spiritual to appreciate great architecture." - Curiosity and Curiosities

https://onthegrid.city/houston/montrose/chapel-of-st-basil
View Postcard for Chapel of St. Basil
@onthegrid

"Chapel of St. Basil, Montrose. The day we first visited the Chapel of St. Basil coincided with French Mass. There were dozens of children running around the church yard, dressed in their Sunday best speaking and screaming in French. Inside the chapel itself an organist and singer were practicing for service. It all felt very surreal and beautiful. The chapel is located inside St. Thomas University, and was designed by Philip Johnson in 1997. The structure is made of many beautiful curves and stark edges, making the chapel a centerpiece in the University. There are no interior lights, and there is no need with ample light from skylights and candles. You can visit the Chapel anytime during open hours, no need to be spiritual to appreciate great architecture."

Houston
View Postcard for Chapel of St. Basil

Ross Taylor

Google
Beautiful small chapel. Very peaceful.

Paula Holliday

Google
Peaceful and quiet. The labyrinth, if walked slowly and deliberately, has a calming effect, even on a 7-year-old! St.Thomas campus is a serene and beautiful campus to walk and St. Basil Chapel was a highlight!

Deanna Van Besien-Kozacek

Google
A gorgeous little chapel. Architecturally notable.

Kimberly Hangs

Google
Beautiful and serene on a beautiful part of town. My son had his wedding there this past weekend.

Kat Spofford

Google
Really small chapel, but beautiful inside, good for Sunday service, but too small for Easter crowd.

rose washington

Google
My mom recently passed away, and one of my cousins helped me relax my frayed nerves by walking this labyrinth behind the chapel. 🙏 CousinLove GriefSupport Family ❤️ #Grief #Family #Support #Cousins #Love #Healing #Walking

Peter Brecht

Google
One of the nicest looking Churches in the US in my opinion.

Lani Trotter

Google
Beautiful inside and out. Acoustics are delightful for the mass music. Late Sunday 7:30 Mass for this visitor was perfect. A must see if you love architecture, especially by Philip Johnson.
google avatar

Clint M.

Yelp
Years ago, I was deciding between a couple of colleges, and on a tour I came to visit this Chapel. It was here that I realized that University of St. Thomas was exactly where I needed to go. There's a beautiful sense of serenity and peace in the Chapel. I've attended countless daily masses, Sunday masses, Holy Hours, rosaries, and more in this chapel. It's a bit small, accommodating about 200 people, but still a great place to worship. They used to have an 8:00pm Sunday evening mass that was the "last chance mass around town" but that got discontinued when a new chaplain didn't feel it fit with his plans. That was disappointing, because the chapel would be packed with people standing along the walls when it was happening.
google avatar

Sean L.

Yelp
In the vibrant pulse of cultured Houston, University of St Thomas' Chapel of St. Basil shines bright in the foreground of Midtown & downtown Houston. I.love.this.place.
google avatar

Margaret M.

Yelp
I've never attended a service at the chapel, but I stop by occasionally to walk the labyrinth next to it. I always feel calmer after I've walked it! Word of warning, though--there's a conference room that looks out at the labyrinth and sometimes I have noticed that there's a whole room full of people who can see me walking around in near-circles! I hope either their meetings are too fascinating for them to notice me or at least I've managed to be entertaining...
google avatar

Asha M.

Yelp
Disclaimer: I'm not Christian, and this review is based on the architecture alone. I've never attended a mass/service here. I can't believe no one has reviewed this yet. This is one of the architectural gems of Houston! We always bring out of town visitors here. Honestly, Houston doesn't offer that much in the way of attractions, but there is some great art and architecture in the city. This is one of those spots. Philip Johnson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Johnson) designed the chapel as well as the main mall of the University. He designed the chapel with three basic architectural elements. A sphere for the dome, a cube for the exterior, and a long graphite plane that intersects the two. The cube exterior, is "cut" and opens like a curtain inviting you into a sacred space. It's really a beautiful concept. When you enter, you find a 14th century crucifix at the center, to the right an impressive organ, and a shrine to Mary & her Son, Jesus (VERY interesting, done in the byzantine tradition - read about it!) to your right. But my favorite part of the chapel is the left wall. Because you enter the church at somewhat of a slant, your eye is immediately drawn to the beautiful glass Cross. The light from the sun makes it glow magnificently. The relief below the cross is a narrative of the Passion, which is also beautiful. I wish there was a Yelp category for Awesome Architecture. This really belongs there.
google avatar

Brian D.

Yelp
A nice find while exploring off the beaten path in Montrose at the University of St. Thomas campus. It's a beautiful building, and the inside chapel is serene and perfect for prayer and contemplation. My favorite part is the medieval labyrinth which can be found in the garden area just outside. Walking the path of the labyrinth symbolizes a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and it took me around 10-15 minutes to follow it all the way to the center. Certainly a good way to contemplate the meaning of faith while walking the narrow path, as they say. If you're a culture vulture, make this one of your stops.
google avatar

David N.

Yelp
This is by far the best thing about the University of St. Thomas. I have not been in here for their actual services, but I am simply reviewing it based on the architecture. Every time I drive by I can't hope but to pause and admire. I enjoyed it so much that I have parked and walked up to explore it's beauty.
google avatar

Nicole P.

Yelp
I enjoy coming to Mass here. It's in a convenient location in my neighborhood, and the chapel size lends itself to a more intimate and focused service. I love the simple yet grand architecture of this building itself. It lends itself to being awe-inspiring, contemplative, and sets a tone which is good for reflection. The environment and the people definitely lend itself to a nice weekly sabbath. Even if you aren't Catholic, I think this building is worth a visit. I love the way the light hits through the ceiling, the golden dome, and the negative space utilized in their rendition of the Stations of the Cross. Just a very peaceful place to visit.