Religious and Spiritual Life

Explore

Randolph-Macon College welcomes students of all faiths to learn, grow, and build community together.

When they chartered Randolph-Macon College in 1830, the Methodist Church intentionally chose to name the school after two men who were not Methodists – thus sending a message that students of all traditions were welcome. RMC remains the oldest Methodist-affiliated college in continuous operation in the United States. And today, the tradition of openness and welcome continues with students enjoying many opportunities for a deep spiritual life on campus and in the surrounding community.

a place to gather Religious Life Organizations

There are groups for students of many faiths who join together to plan campus-wide worship, learning, and service opportunities.
learn more on the buzz

Catholic campus ministry

This community invites all students to join us as we learn more about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith through service, prayer, and fellowship!

RMC Hillel

Our Jewish student group is welcoming to all and enjoys gathering for Shabbat dinners, holy days, special events, and having fun together!

Intervarsity Christian fellowship

InterVarsity is an invitational community seeking to see students’ lives transformed, the campus renewed, and world-changers developed. The group hosts a number of programs including Large Group, Small Group, Leadership, and one-on-one Discipleship.

Student Fellowship

This diverse welcoming and affirming Christian group was originally created by Episcopal and United Methodist students, but is open to all, religious or not!

Young Life

Young Life is a community for students to explore Jesus and what he can mean to our lives today while students are here at RMC.

Ujima Gospel Choir

This long-standing group includes current community members along with alumni. They currently only gather for special events but would be excited to meet more often as students are interested.

Meet the Campus Chaplain

Chaplain Kendra Grimes is here to support students in their search for meaning and purpose, in a variety of ways. She leads campus-wide religious celebrations, in collaboration with the Campus Ministry group, supporting student groups and their faculty/staff advisors.

connect with Rev. grimes
  • Pastoral Care – Set up an appointment or drop by the Office of the Chaplain in the Student Engagement Center. Students of all (or no) faith traditions are welcome.
  • Weekly mindfulness meditation sessions – Hosted on Zoom, beginning at noon and lasting just 15 minutes, the format is welcoming whether you are religious or not. Join from your dorm room, from a chair outdoors by the fountain, from an office, or anywhere else. These are events that you can visit once, attend when able, or join in every time. A link to the event can be found on The BUZZ.
  • Interfaith Council – The Interfaith Council is made up of students, faculty, and staff. It currently represents a number of traditions including Wiccan, Judaism, Catholic, Christian, Islam, Mormon, Protestant Christian, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Special events are hosted each semester to create conversation and community together.

Upcoming Religious or Spiritual Events

View Calendar

Worshipping On/near Campus

An exterior shot of Duncan Memorial Church

The Chapel of the CAmpus

Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church serves the community and is the official chapel of the campus of Randolph-Macon College. Historically, the congregation shared Old Chapel with the college, graciously allowing the college to have the first floor of the building while the church used the second floor for Sunday worship. In the 1950s, the current building (located on the corner of Henry and College Streets) was constructed. Although Duncan Memorial has its own staff and ministries, the church continues its open, welcoming relationship with RMC. Whether it’s building use, service opportunities, worship, choral, handbell groups, or other things, Duncan Memorial is eager to know and to support our students!

Visit Duncan Memorial

Off-Campus Worship Opportunities

If you are looking for an off-campus faith community to attend while living at RMC, contact the Chaplain. We will strive to help you identify a community that is a good fit for you.

sensing a call to christian ministry?

Meet the Bailey Scholars

The A. Purnell Bailey Program for Ordained Ministry is an exceptional opportunity for students who are exploring vocations as Christian pastors/priests, youth ministers, music ministers, faith-based non-profit leaders, chaplains, and more. The Bailey Scholars Program provides significant financial aid, weekly group meetings, internship opportunities, and mentoring as students answer God’s call in their lives.