Students of all faiths and at all places in their spiritual journeys are welcome at the University of Lynchburg. At Lynchburg, spiritual life is expressed through community worship, special services during the year, volunteering opportunities, and peace and justice activities. We’re also affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
The Spiritual Life Center
The Spiritual Life Center (SLC) provides services and support for the spiritual needs of all students. We’re located at 500 Brevard St., behind Schewel Hall. Find us on the campus map.
Contact us if you are interested in a specific place of worship or would like help arranging transportation.
Vision and Mission
At the Spiritual Life Center, our vision is to be
- Inclusive and open
- Relational and respectful
- Interfaith and ecumenical
Our mission is to provide
- Spiritual development and exploration
- Pastoral care, counseling, and guidance
- Religious programming, services, and events
- Congregational partnerships and connections.
The Disciples Connection
The University of Lynchburg’s faith foundation has been firmly in place since its founding in 1903 as Virginia Christian College. It was the support of Disciples of Christ ministers and business leaders that gave the university its start.
Our founder, Dr. Josephus Hopwood, believed the connection between faith and reason to be a fundamental principle for higher education – a tradition that is still very much alive on the University of Lynchburg campus. The special relationship between the University and the Christian Church is based on shared humanitarian, moral, cultural, educational, and spiritual values.
Today this partnership between the denomination and the University continues. Special scholarships are available to Disciples students through the denomination: Higher Education and Leadership Ministries, and the Phillips University Legacy Foundation. Contact Chaplain Nathan Albert for more information or to connect to a local church.
Little Free Pantry
University of Lynchburg’s Spiritual Life Center also is the location of an outdoor Little Free Pantry. Donated food items are available 24 hours a day for students, faculty, staff, and neighbors in the surrounding community.
The small pantry is located on the outside wall, near the terrace-level door facing College Street and Schewel Hall. Drop-offs for the pantry can be made directly to the pantry, brought inside, or placed on the front porch. Learn more about the food pantries at the University of Lynchburg.
Get Involved
We are a diverse campus! We have Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim students, and over a dozen student spiritual life groups on campus. Can’t find a group that interests you? Contact us. We’ll help you start one!
On Sundays during the academic year, we host the Church of the Covenant worship service at 11 a.m. and Roman Catholic Mass at 4:30 p.m., both in Snidow Chapel.
Lynchburg Cares
Lynchburg Cares is a special discretionary fund handled through the Spiritual Life Center, offering financial support to campus community members in times of emergency need or crisis.
- Who is eligible to receive Lynchburg Cares assistance? Any faculty, staff, or student who is facing an emergency or crisis may request one-time financial assistance.
- What kind of help can Lynchburg Cares offer? Lynchburg Cares has helped to pay for expenses such as textbooks, housing, medical costs, utility bills, and unexpected debts.
- How does one apply for Lynchburg Cares? Arrangements are made on a case-by-case basis. Most of the assistance is offered as gifts; some is in the form of loans. Please email the Spiritual Life Center at spirituallife@lynchburg.edu for more information.
- Who can contribute to Lynchburg Cares? This fund is supported through the generosity of faculty, staff, and donors who choose to participate and is not a part of the regular college budget. This can be done via payroll deduction, one-time donations can be made online, or by cash or personal check.
- Interested? For payroll deductions, contact Human Resources.
- Where can I request assistance or donate? To request assistance, contact the Spiritual Life Center. To donate, please visit our webpage.
Check out how Lynchburg Cares has made an impact on our campus community!
Questions? Contact the Spiritual Life Center at spirituallife@lynchburg.edu or by phone at 434.544.8348
