Spiritual Community and Support

All Spiritual Care and Learning Centre leaders share the values of human dignity, diversity and respect. If you’re in need of guidance, support or community related to spiritual care, the SCLC leaders are here to help!

Getting involved

If you want to join the SCLC as a spiritual care leader at McMaster, contact Andy Crowell (crowella@mcmaster.ca).

Visit the SCLC on campus

The Spiritual Care and Learning Centre is located in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC), in room 212. Our office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. between September and April, and by appointment between May and August. There is a lounge space to relax, enjoy some reading materials, wait to use one of the prayer spaces available throughout the day, or commune with others. There are halal/kosher treats and cookies, as well as herbal teas to enjoy.

More spiritual and prayer spaces on campus

We recognize and value the importance of your religious, secular and spiritual practices on campus. There are multiple spaces at McMaster where you can build community and get support.

• Mills Library — Third Floor Prayer Space
• Thode Library — B117A Prayer Space
• The Hub — Multifaith Prayer Spaces (Third Floor)
• The Hub Loft — Fourth Floor
• McMaster Children’s Hospital Chapel — Second Floor
• Muslim Student Association Prayer Space — T13 (Rooms 106 and 112)
• Hamilton Hall — Rooms 312 and 410
• MDCL — Rooms 2242, 2246, 2249

Community spaces

• Ron Joyce Centre Interfaith Centre (Burlington) — Room 265
• David Braley Health Science Centre Multifaith Space (Downtown Hamilton) — Room 2001B

McMaster Students Union (MSU) clubs with religious or spiritual status

There’s a variety of MSU clubs with religious and spiritual status at McMaster. The SCLC can help you connect with groups you’re interested in. You can also visit the MSU website for more information.

The Interfaith Issues Working Group worked with an ad hoc committee comprised of staff, faculty and students to develop a Policy on Academic Accommodation for Religious, Indigenous and Spiritual Observances (RISO). Complete the RISO form to request formal academic accommodations for tests, labs, assignments, participation and seminars.

Note: For all other accommodation requests, you must consult with your Faculty Office and/or Student Accessibility Services (SAS).

Adjusting to university life can be difficult without support from your religious, secular or spiritual communities. And finding somewhere close to campus to gather with others isn’t always easy! But we can help.

Here’s a list of places of worship near McMaster’s main campus. This certainly isn’t a comprehensive list — and it doesn’t represent all traditions and spiritual practices —  but it’s a good place to start.

This Spiritual Care and Learning Centre is a result of the efforts of the Interfaith Issues Working Group, part of the McMaster President’s Advisory Committee for Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC). PACBIC is an equity-seeking community at McMaster made up of various working groups to advocate for diversity and inclusion.

The Interfaith Working Group identifies and recommends initiatives and actions related to emerging interfaith issues on campus. It engages with campus partners to raise issues of mutual concern, demonstrate solidarity and identify ways to provide diverse food choices available at a reasonable cost to meet religious/spiritual and Indigenous dietary needs for McMaster staff, students and faculty members. To join the working group, contact Andy Crowell (crowella@mcmaster.ca) or Khadijeh Rakie (rakiek@mcmaster.ca).

The Student Interfaith Council is part of McMaster Students Union (MSU) Diversity Services. This council includes diverse religious and spiritual representation and organizes social, learning and advocacy events to educate the McMaster community and demonstrate solidarity. To join the Student Interfaith Council, contact diversity@msu.mcmaster.ca.