Sacred Heart Chapel

Opened and blessed in 1924, the Sacred Heart College Memorial Chapel is a beautiful, pristinely maintained building on the grounds of Sacred Heart College. Originally built as a memorial to Marists and Old Collegians who lost their lives in the First World War, the chapel has continued to be a fundamental part of the college ever since.

The Sacred Heart Chapel boasts an elegant, spacious interior, lined with curved archways and a high, bright ceiling. Plenty of light spills in through second-story glass and large round windows in the double entry doors. Outside of the pews, there is a walk-around hallway which is perfect for photographers and videographers to move about during the ceremony without getting in the way of guests. A rich crimson carpet lines the floor, and there is ample space for flowers and decorations along the aisle and at the altar. Colourful stained glass windows and intricate statues adorn the walls.

The exterior of Sacred Heart Chapel is just as grand, with an inviting curved staircase leading to the entrance. Above it stands a majestic statue on a balcony, welcoming visitors to come in to the doors below. Two proud bell towers stand on either side, topped with vibrant red domes and crosses. The drive up to the building is through pretty gates capped with decorative bell-shaped sculptures and follows a short winding road surrounded by sweeping green lawns. There is plenty of space for wedding party cars to pose in front of the building, as well as on-site parking spaces. Nearby is the Parlour, another unique College venue that is available for photos.

Sacred Heart Chapel can accommodate ceremonies with up to 150-200 guests and is available for use on specified days between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm. The College welcomes enquiries from community members, particularly Old Collegians and College family members, who might want to use the facilities for their wedding. Enquiries can be addressed directly to the Chapel Administrator during the school term.

Located off of Brighton Road in Somerton Park, about 20 minutes southwest of the CBD, it’s a 3 minute drive or 15 minute walk from the Sacred Heart Chapel to Somerton Beach. Nearby Glenelg or Brighton has a range of reception choices, such as the Glenelg Golf Club, and the long stretch of coastline is a handy place to take spectacular photos. Using the backdrop of the sunset over the water or under one of the jetties are a couple of favourite photo options. There are several accommodation options at Glenelg like the Stamford Grand or Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites, or a multitude of city hotels are not far away.

The Sacred Heart Chapel is a lovely Catholic church option for wedding ceremonies in a convenient suburban location. The college is rich in history, beginning as two schools for boys established by the Marist Brothers in 1897. Archbishop O’Reilly invited the brothers to open Sacred Heart High School and Catholic Boys’ Primary school in Port Adelaide. The Sacred Heart High School moved to its present Somerton Park location in 1914, and was renamed Sacred Heart College. Today, Sacred Heart College is a Catholic Co-Educational School for Grades 7-12 spread across two campuses. It teaches in the Marist Tradition, encouraging students to embrace a community connected by courage, service to others and a love of learning.

The college encompasses a tight-knit community with common values, and ex-students often choose to return to hold their wedding here out of fondness and loyalty. Regardless of old ties, though, the Sacred Heart Chapel is simply a beautiful facility to use as the setting for a traditional style wedding ceremony.