To learn more about having a Funeral, Memorial Service or Baptism at Heinz Chapel,
please visit our Services page. For information about hourly space rental for weddings,
photo shoots, concerts and more, please visit our Space Rental page.
Please note that Heinz Memorial Chapel is undergoing external renovations to its spire. This restoration is essential for the long-term preservation of this historic, treasured structure. The work will occur on the outside of the building and will not interfere with your service or event. Please email with any questions at heinzchapel@pitt.edu.
Please contact the Chapel at heinzchapel@pitt.edu to inquire about availability. Include your desired date and approximate start and end time as well as an estimated number of guests.
As part of your fee, one Chapel staff member will be present during your reservation. For Funerals, Memorial Services and Baptisms, Chapel staff will contact you to clarify the details of your service. Those details may include speakers and use of the audio system, flowers and decorations, printed programs, guest books, etc.
Decoration placement and flower deliveries must occur during your reserved time. All decorations must be removed at the end of the service.
Programs and guest books can be set out for guests.
Candles are allowed only in the chancel area. Lighted candles, flameless candles, and lanterns may not be used on pew ends or in the aisles.
Liquid, chemicals, oil, sand, dirt, or grains are not permitted in the Chapel. Throwing rice, confetti, birdseed, or flower petals (real or artificial) is not allowed inside or outside the Chapel.
Butterfly, insect, or bird releases and sparklers are not permissible on the Chapel grounds. Blowing bubbles is not allowed inside the Chapel.
Alcoholic beverages, except for traditional communion wine, are not allowed in Heinz Chapel.
Setup and breakdown for photography and videography must occur during your reserved time.
Use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) inside the Chapel is NOT permitted. Use of drones on the Chapel grounds must follow the University's Office of Trade Compliance policy.
Photography and videography of services for third-party use such as television programs, advertising, etc. is not permitted.
You may hire a Heinz Chapel organist to play at your service. The Chapel office will be happy to connect you with an approved Chapel organist. You will then coordinate the music and payment directly with the organist.
Requests for guest organists must be submitted in writing before the service to heinzchapel@pitt.edu along with a letter of credentials. The Chapel reserves the right to determine if the guest organist is qualified to play the Chapel organ.
Notification to the Chapel of any outside musicians (cantors, wind instruments, strings, etc.) must be made before your service. Musicians requesting organ accompaniment should contact the organist directly. Special permission for musicians to access the balcony must be obtained. The Chapel can provide microphones, stands and music stands for musicians, but equipment is limited.
Permission for recorded music must be made in writing to the Chapel. The reserving party is responsible for bringing the music files and equipment to play the music and assigning someone to run the equipment.
The chapel is nondenominational and has no clergy on staff. It is the responsibility of the reserving party to secure someone to preside over the service and to determine the details of the service.
Please refer to your Event Agreement for your access times. Access times are strictly enforced. Participants and guests who arrive prior to the scheduled access time may be denied entrance to the building.
There are two accessible parking spaces adjacent to the chapel on Bellefield Avenue. You must have the designated plate or hang tag to park in the spaces. A level, paved sidewalk leads from the two accessible parking spaces to an automatic door on the north side of the chapel (facing Fifth Avenue). An elevator provides access to the chapel and an accessible restroom on the lower level.
The chapel seats approximately 350 people comfortably.
Only service animals are permitted in Heinz Chapel. For further information please see the University of Pittsburgh's Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals Policy.
The Chapel can provide a lounge area for the family prior to the service. The Chapel is not responsible for personal items and valuables. These should be removed from the rooms before the service and kept with family members or friends.
Looking to incorporate some sustainable practices into your event? Check out Pitt's Sustainable Event Guide for easy-to-implement suggestions.
Heinz Chapel is committed to sustainability behind-the-scenes and has a Green Office designation at the University of Pittsburgh.
There are two accessible parking spaces adjacent to the chapel on S. Bellefield Avenue. You must have the designated plate or hang tag to park in the spaces. A level, paved sidewalk leads from the two accessible parking spaces to an automatic door on the north side of the chapel (facing Fifth Avenue). An elevator provides access to the chapel and an accessible restroom on the lower level.
Assistive Listening System is available to amplify the Chapel's audio sound system. Devices include portable receiver and earphones (you can also use your own earphones.) The Chapel also has Integrated Neck Loops for individuals with telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants.
The decorating guidelines are based on past experience and are designed to protect the chapel structure and ensure an equitable situation for all who schedule weddings in the building.
The top of the altar measures eight feet long and 21 inches deep.
Flowers may be incorporated in the bows. The bows may only be attached with ribbon, rubber bands, or elasticized thread. Arrangements on metal or plastic clips may be used if the clips are wrapped. There are 48 pews (24 per side). The measurement around the end of each pew is 36 inches. Allow enough extra ribbon for tying.
If an aisle runner is used, it must be 100 feet in length. For safety reasons, plastic aisle runners are not allowed.
The chapel can provide a brass holder.
Only wax candles are allowed for a Unity Ceremony at Heinz Chapel. Wine, sand, chemicals, beer, oil or grains are not permitted. Alcoholic beverages, except for traditional communion wine, are not allowed at wedding ceremonies in Heinz Chapel.
Two floor candelabra may be used in the chancel area. The use of dripless or mechanical candles is strongly recommended.
These may be distributed from the desk in the narthex. It is essential that all boutonnieres and corsages be clearly labeled and that the florist or a family member be present to identify the recipients.
Please note:
Photos of family members being escorted to their seats and of the wedding processional may be taken from the base of the chancel steps.
Photos of the ceremony may be taken from the following locations: the ends of the modified front pews, the double doors of the narthex, the left and right side aisles, the center aisle behind the last seated guests, or the gallery.
Photos may be taken from the base of the chancel steps for any of the following:
Videography of family members being escorted to their seats and of the wedding processional may be taken from the base of the chancel steps.
Videography of the ceremony may be taken from the following locations: the ends of the modified front pews, the ambulatory door on the left side of the chancel, the left and right side aisles, the center aisle behind the last seated guests, or the gallery.
Auxiliary lighting may be used before and after, but not during, the ceremony.
One hour is allocated for the ceremony and photography. A delay in the scheduled start time or a particularly lengthy ceremony will reduce the amount of time available for photography and videography. All participants must adhere to the scheduled departure time.
Photography and videography of weddings for third party use such as television programs, advertising, etc. is not permitted.
A Chapel organist will be at your rehearsal to play your chosen processional and recessional marches, finalize placement of all music for your ceremony, and rehearse with any additional musicians, if needed.
The organist will play a 15 minute organ prelude as guests are being seated, the processional march, and any music you have requested during the ceremony. The wedding couple should consult with their officiant regarding the style of music and specific pieces that may be performed. Many officiants permit only sacred or liturgical music during the ceremony. At the conclusion of your ceremony the organist will play the recessional march and a short postlude as your guests exit the chapel.
Audio samples of the processional and recessional pieces are available on the music selection form and you may submit your choices electronically from the website. A trumpet may be used with some of the marches. If you elect to include a trumpet, the trumpeter should attend the wedding rehearsal.
Jeremiah Clarke, Trumpet Voluntary in D Major
John Stanley, Trumpet Voluntary in D Major
Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Prelude (from Te Deum)
André Campra, Rigaudon (from Idomenée)
Ludwig van Beethoven, Ode to Joy
Johann Pachelbel, Canon in D
Jean-Joseph Mouret, Rondeau (from Sinfonie de Fanfares)
Richard Wagner, Wedding Chorus (from Lohengrin) (Principal only)
George Frideric Handel, Overture to the Fireworks Music (Principal only)
George Frideric Handel, "The Rejoicing" (from the Fireworks Music) (Principal only)
Henry Purcell, Trumpet Tune in C Major
Felix Mendelssohn, Wedding Music (from Midsummer Night's Dream)
Ludwig van Beethoven, Ode to Joy
George Frideric Handel, Hornpipe (from Water Music)
Benedetto Marcello, Psalm 19, "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God"
Charles-Marie Widor, Toccata (from the Fifth Organ Symphony)
Jean-Joseph Mouret, Rondeau (from Sinfonie de Fanfares)
Sigfrid Karg-Elert, Now Thank We All Our God
The organist will select from a variety of fine organ music. Violin, flute, or other chamber instruments with or without organ accompaniment may be included during the prelude/postlude. The organist will not play transcriptions of piano or orchestral works or popular contemporary tunes.
Vocalists and instrumentalists are welcome at Heinz Chapel. The wedding couple should make arrangements directly with any additional musicians they wish to include. Those requiring organ accompaniment need to attend the wedding rehearsal and should provide complete and legible sheet music, in advance, to the organist. During the ceremony a limit of three musical selections is advised.
If you wish to discuss any of the above please call the Heinz Chapel office, 412-624-4157, to speak with one of our wedding coordinators.
The chapel is nondenominational and has no clergy on staff. It is the responsibility of the wedding couple to secure an officiant to preside at the ceremony. Clergy of religious denominations recognized by the University of Pittsburgh’s Association of Chaplains are welcome, as are civil officiants.
It is crucial that your officiant be aware of the dates and times of the wedding rehearsal and ceremony. Should the officiant fail to be present for the wedding ceremony, there is no one at the chapel who could act as a replacement and your ceremony would have to be cancelled.
Heinz Chapel is located on the University of Pittsburgh campus and open to all faiths and backgrounds.
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