At "the House," individual students become a community of colleagues, and often, lifelong friends. Over meals and in other settings, students test new ideas and interpretations, pass on collective wisdom about course work and exams, and think through projects and papers together. Past and present residents report that such mutual challenge and support through a demanding academic experience is one of the most important aspects of Disciples House.

Currently there are twenty Disciples House Scholars, slightly more than half are M.A./Ph.D. students, the remainder are M.Div. students. In addition, a group of ecumenical residents represent a broad range of different communions.  They, too, are pursuing M.Div., M.A., or Ph.D. degrees in the Divinity School or other schools of the University of Chicago.

Disciples House Scholars are accomplished persons who have chosen to prepare for vocations of ministry and scholarship. Some of our students enter after working in professions such as business, law, and teaching; most enter after college graduation or after time out to travel or engage in social service or mission. They have come from across North America: Illinois, California, Texas, Kentucky, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Georgia, Washington D.C., and Canada, among other places. In recent years, Scholars have also come from Japan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), and South Africa.

The center of community life is a weekly Monday night dinner. Members of the community and friends enjoy the camaraderie of a common meal, often followed by programs such as forums in the Common Room with Divinity School faculty members or denominational leaders. Preceding dinner, worship and communion in the Chapel of the Holy Grail enrich and sustain common life. Of course, community life continues on other days of the week. For example, events such as trips to plays, concerts, and restaurants are organized under the leadership of the student house council.

Please see our quarterly schedule to learn more about Monday Night Dinners and contact our Administrator to make reservations to attend.

Disciples Divinity House is a gracious and historic building. Located near the heart of the University, adjacent to the main quadrangle, it is widely considered to be among the most convenient and pleasant graduate housing possibilities. In fact, it is the only housing at the University dedicated principally to Divinity School students. Its facilities enhance a lively community of learning and support.

Completed in 1928, "the House" has twenty-three student rooms, a kitchen and dining area, a theological library, two guest rooms, a common room, a garden, and a chapel. The handsome limestone building was designed by Henry K. Holsman in a collegiate gothic style. Arts and crafts influences are apparent in design features such as the Common Room’s fireplace inglenook. Private student rooms are furnished and feature leaded glass windows. The dining and kitchen areas were completely renovated in 1995 and accommodate daily meal preparation by 23 residents as well as the regular Monday dinner served to 40-50 students and guests.

The Chapel of the Holy Grail is the center of worship life for the community. Completed in 1930, the Chapel is replete with symbolism of God, the cross, and the Christian life.

Double doors, with panels of deep colored glass designs set in heavy lead frames, open to the Chapel.  An aisle paved with a rug-like design of faience tiles leads from the entrance, over the chancel, to the altar.  On each side of the aisle, separated by a walnut panel and facing the aisle, are two rows of seats, one canopied, similar to the stalls of a Gothic church choir.  The chancel is set off from the nave by a carved and traceried stone arch.   The arch frames a brilliant-colored stained glass window by Charles M. Connick. The window’s theme gives the Chapel its name.

In the Chapel, one’s eyes, feet, and hands rest almost unavoidably on a multiplicity of symbols of the divine.  Stone carvings around the doors serve as reminders of the goodness of God in nature. Winged chalices, patens, and other symbols of worship sail high overhead on the printed cloth ceiling. On the north side, light filters through cruciform patterned glass. Symbols of God, trinitarian and otherwise, pave the floor. On the carved edges of the pews, one can touch the grapes, the wine, of salvation.  The glorious window at the front portrays Joseph of Arimathea, Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, and other figures from the legend of the Holy Grail.

The Chapel’s abundant symbols beckon toward the holy, even while reminding us that the quest for it is often long and difficult to keep.

Worship in the Chapel of the Holy Grail:  Formal chapel services are held the first Monday of every month during the academic year. Henry Sybrandy accompanies the services on the Aeolian pipe organ. Communion is celebrated on all other Mondays. The Chapel is also used by the Divinity School’s preaching class.  It is open at all other times for use by the DDH community.

The Library is named for the founding dean, Herbert Lockwood Willett (1864-1944), who was a biblical scholar and leading ecumenist of his day. His portrait hangs over the Library fireplace.

The Library holds a selected collection of books, journals, papers, and pamphlets. It is a private facility intended primarily for the use of House Scholars, residents, and other guests. Its collection supplements the vast resources of the University's libraries and of the neighborhood seminaries' libraries.  It has basic reference works for the study of religion, and many of the required books for introductory courses and doctoral examinations at the Divinity School.

The Library features historical materials about the Disciples of Christ and books by Disciple authors, especially DDH graduates. Its holdings include: rare books and journals related to the Disciples of Christ movement; works from the Durrett Collection dealing with "Campbellite controversy" during the early years of the movement; early records of the Chicago Disciples Union; archived material about the Disciples Divinity House, its deans, and students; the personal library of C.C. Morrison, founding editor of The Christian Century; volumes from the libraries of Deans Willett, Ames, and Blakemore.

As an expression of an abiding commitment to ecumenism, the Disciples House community also includes ecumenical residents, usually students at the Divinity School. Ecumenical residents are full members of the community. They participate in community decisions and events, including Monday night dinners and DDH Forums. They have full access to the resources of DDH’s Willett Library and the Chapel of the Holy Grail.

The House presents many advantages and opportunities for those seeking a community-oriented housing arrangement while studying at the Divinity School. Rent is partially subsidized so that the accommodations are among the most affordable in the University. The accommodations are also among the most convenient, because DDH is immediately adjacent to the main quadrangle and the University’s Regenstein Library.   Rooms may also be rented by members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who are studying in other graduate programs in and around the University.