Pacific is deeply committed to supporting the spiritual journeys of persons from all religious traditions and backgrounds, as well as those who do not identify with a particular religious or spiritual expression. Our Religious and Spiritual Life office works with the larger university community to provide spaces and places for you to explore and strengthen your religious, spiritual, faith or non-faith beliefs and traditions and to engage in dialogue with your fellow Pacificans. We believe this is key to learning, building bridges, and finding places of mutual understanding and respect across our campus, local and global communities.
The student organizations are listed below currently have active chapters at Pacific. Each one is open to all students. To learn more about any of these groups and how to get connected, reach out to ReligiousLife@pacific.edu or the Student Leadership and Involvement Center (SLIC) at SLIC@pacific.edu. If you do not see a group you are looking for, we can help you start one.
- Hearts Over Hate
- InterVarsity/Pacific Christian Fellowship
- Jewish Student Organization
- Muslim Students Association
- The Nest Prayer Family
- Newman Catholic Community
- Secular Student Alliance
- Sikh Student Association
- Stockton Bansuk Presbyterian Church
You're not alone! Many people are interested in religion and its effects on society, and our aim is to provide a safe place for you to explore the important questions you have. Many of our student groups on campus host seminars, lectures, panel discussions and small group dialogue sessions that encourage learning and discussion around various faith practices and traditions. All are welcome and we encourage you to get involved. Email ReligiousLife@pacific.edu to find out more.
Places of Worship, Prayer, and Meditation
Morris Chapel
Morris Chapel serves as a religious and spiritual center for both the university and Stockton communities. While the university was founded by three United Methodist ministers, the chapel serves as a multi-faith space, welcoming persons of all religious and non-faith beliefs and traditions.
Place of Worship, Prayer, and Meditation
Sacred Space
Sacred Space provides a place for students, faculty, and staff to pray and meditate. Sacred Space is open to individuals of all religious and philosophical traditions, and is accessible to the Pacific community daily throughout the school year.
Places of Worship, Prayer, and Meditation
Reflection Pool
The reflection pool in front of the DeRosa University Center is a beautiful place to have a moment of quiet reflection. This is often a place where prayer services, candlelight vigils, and other gatherings will take place on campus.
Places of Worship, Prayer, and Meditation
Meditation Garden
Located behind Morris Chapel, Pacific's Meditation Garden is a nice, secluded place on campus to have a quiet moment.
Place of Worship, Prayer, and Meditation
Places of Worship in Stockton
There are over 160 religious organizations and places of worship in San Joaquin County. Here are some of the local places of worship in Stockton.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Morris Chapel and Sacred Space in Colliver Hall are open daily for prayer and meditation and can be accessed using your Pacific ID card between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- The Newman Catholic Club student organization hosts a Catholic Mass during the academic year every Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Morris Chapel.
- Various interfaith and other services and events take place during the year. Please check Pacific's Events Calendar for details.
Interfaith is defined by the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) as the engagement of people from diverse traditions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Secular Humanism, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Baha'i, atheist, agnostic and all other religious, non-religious and philosophical traditions. Alternative words like "multi-faith," "inter-religious" or "multi-religious" can be used interchangeably to articulate the same idea.
Yes, you may book a student event in the Chapel through the Student Leadership and Involvement Center (SLIC). Student groups have reserved Morris Chapel for Greek organization initiations and pinning ceremonies, as well as religious and spiritual prayer meetings, meditations, bible studies and other student events. Connect with SLIC@pacific.edu for more information about booking spaces for student events on campus.
No. Morris Chapel does not have any regulations on who can have their ceremony at the Chapel. As a non-denominational chapel, we are proud to welcome a variety of couples, including interfaith, inter-denominational, same-sex and multicultural to enjoy their wedding ceremonies at Morris Chapel. Each couple is required to bring their own minister.
If you would like a tour of the Chapel with one of our staff members, call 209.946.2538 or email MorrisChapel@pacific.edu and schedule a time to visit. University of the Pacific students, faculty and staff may access Morris Chapel and its adjacent spaces using their Pacific ID card between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. The Chapel is open on weekends for private events such as weddings, memorials, baptisms, and other such events. The Newman Catholic Club student organization also holds a Catholic Mass at 7:00 p.m. on Sundays during the academic year which is open to the public.
Yes. Morris Chapel is a non-denominational chapel and is open for use by all people. The chapel is Christian in look and feel, especially in terms of its stained-glass window themes, inscriptions, crosses, and so on. The adjacent Sacred Space prayer room is less religiously specific in focus and also is open for use by all people.
Baccalaureate, a long-standing tradition at Pacific, is a celebratory occasion on Commencement weekend, that honors our graduating class, often highlighting the religious and philosophical traditions of the student body. In addition to addresses and performances by various graduating students, we highlight the “Last Lecture”—a special lecture by a faculty member to share hypothetically “What wisdom would you try to impart to the world if you knew it was your last chance?”
