School Amenities for Students' Success and Well-being
At Oberlin College, students have a wealth of religious and spiritual resources at their disposal, catering to diverse faith traditions and fostering a welcoming environment for worship, prayer, and community engagement.
The college offers a Multifaith Chaplain-in-Residence (MCR) program, providing one-on-one pastoral care, small group support, and chaplaincy programming open to all students, regardless of faith background. The presence of the MCR implies a supportive environment for spiritual needs across different traditions.
The Jewish Student Office in Wilder Hall serves as a hub for Jewish students, hosting meetings and community gatherings. For Muslim students, the Muslim Prayer Room in Wilder Hall is available for prayer, and access can be gained by emailing the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.
Fairchild Chapel, a multifaith house of worship, primarily used by Christian communities, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays for prayer and meditation. It can be scheduled for use by students through the Event Management System (EMS) on OberView.
Certified Kosher cuisine is available at Heritage, with weekly menus available on the AVI website. Additionally, certified packaged Kosher food items and meals are also available for purchase at DeCafé in the basement of Wilder.
The Oberlin Gospel Choir, led by jazz voice teacher La Tanya Hall, offers an enriching experience for conservatory and college students. The group delves into the diaspora of gospel music, representing everything from field songs passed on in the oral tradition from Africa, to modern gospel repertoire that incorporates elements of R&B, classical, neo-soul, jazz, and folk.
The Jewish Heritage House, located in Price House during the 2025-2026 academic year while Johnson House is under renovation, serves as the program house of Oberlin's Jewish Studies Department.
Campus Safety provides additional support to religious and spiritual communities for events on campus. To request formal security presence, fill out the form on the OberView Services Portal.
Notably, as of August 2024, all chicken on campus (with exceptions) is Halal. All ground beef at 4th meal at the Rathskeller is Halal as well.
Lastly, the Lewis House and Multifaith Center is home to the Multifaith Chaplaincy & Sustained Dialogue. It provides program space for multifaith and tradition-specific religious, spiritual, ethical, educational, and dialogue programming and services.
For comprehensive details on prayer spaces and dining accommodations specific to different faiths at Oberlin College, contacting Oberlin College’s Office of Spiritual and Religious Life or the Multifaith Chaplain-in-Residence is recommended.
The Oberlin College Multifaith Chaplain-in-Residence program extends beyond religious and spiritual resources, offering education-and-self-development through one-on-one pastoral care and chaplaincy programming for students, regardless of faith background. By fostering a welcoming environment for diverse traditions, the college aims to enrich students' lifestyle through spiritual growth and community engagement.
