Resources & Programming by Faith

Local congregations are very welcoming to students and offer worship and other programs that are open to the public. We provide transportation vans for students interested in attending a worship service off campus. Contact us for details.

The center has several affiliated community partners who are available to support students.

The Center for Religious & Spiritual Life supports and advises several student-run religious organizations as well. Find more information about guidelines for student organizations.

Note that the center also offers a number of weekly nondenominational programs.

Observing Holidays

It can be both a joy and a challenge to take the time to observe your religious holidays during college. The Center for Religious & Spiritual Life offers on-campus programming for several religious holidays, and we can help you find services in the community for other holidays.

College policy states that any student who is unable to attend classes, exams or work due to a religious observance will be excused and given an opportunity to make it up. This information can be found under the Religious Expression section in Campus Life on the Course Catalog.

Buddhism

Buddhist Studies

A minor in Buddhist studies is an excellent adjunct to majors in such fields as religion, philosophy, American studies, anthropology, art history, and more. It allows for a deeper focus in Buddhism, offering an interdisciplinary complement to your major as well as an important credential for graduate admissions.

In the Community

Tibetan Buddhism

Geshe Ngawang Singey
Jampel Nyingpo Ling (Amherst)
singeyngawang@gmail.com 
802-380-7161

Zen Buddhism

Catherine Anraku Hondorp, Sensei
Two Streams Zen (Westhampton)
anraku@comcast.net 
413-977-1852

Ryumon H. G. Baldoquin, Sensei
Two Streams Zen (Westhampton)
temples@twostreamszen.org 
413-559-5282

Tibetan Buddhism

Nipponzan Myohoji (New England Peace Pagoda)
100 Cave Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
413-367-2202
info@shishido.com 

Insight Meditation (Vipassana)
Eastworks, Second floor
116 Pleasant Street, Suite 242
Easthampton, MA 01027
413-527-0388
general@insightpv.org 

Zen Buddhism

Two Streams Zen
A multicultural Dharma movement transforming people and communities through fearless intimacy and living compassion.
263 Main Road, Route 66
Westhampton, MA 01027
413-977-1852

Catholicism

Catholic Club

The Newman Catholic Club is a group dedicated to giving Catholic Smithies the opportunity to worship with their fellow Catholics. It strives to strengthen the Catholic community at Smith. Open to everyone.

Mass

Mass is held in the Helen Hills Hills Chapel Sanctuary with Fr. Valentine Nworah. Mass schedule varies.

Contact

Newman Club President Maria Tejada Gonzalez, mtejada@smith.edu

In the Community

Roman Catholicism

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
99 King Street
Northampton, MA
413-584-7310
See the parish’s calendar for a listing of masses including those conducted in Spanish.

Annunciation Church
Mass in Spanish
85 Beacon Street
Florence, MA 01062
413-584-7310

Our Lady of the Hills Parish
173 Main Street
Haydenville, MA 01039
413-268-7212
olothparish@gmail.com

Polish National Catholicism

Saint Valentine’s Church
127 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-584-0133

Roman Catholicism

Fr. Valentine Nworah
v.nworah@diospringfield.org

Christianity

Smith Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

International Student Bible Study
Wednesdays from 7–8 p.m. in Campus Center 102

Black Campus Ministry Bible Study
Sundays from 7–8:30 p.m. in Campus Center 204 

Prayer Meeting
Fridays from 12:30–1:15 p.m. in Campus Center 204

Large Group Gatherings
Every other Friday from 6–7:30 p.m. in Campus Center 103/104

In the Community

African American

Alden Baptist Church
649 State St
Springfield, MA 01109
413-736-5997
info@aldenbaptistchurch.org

Goodwin Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church
41 Woodside Avenue
Amherst, MA 01002
413-256-1885
goodwinmemorial@gmail.com

St. John’s Congregational Church
45 Hancock Street
Springfield, MA 01109
413-734-2283

Asian-American Contemporary

Amherst Chinese Christian Church
611 Belchertown Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Pastor Wang: 413-687-8844

First Baptist Church
434 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA
413-549-3596 
office@fbcamherst.org

Assembly of God

Cornerstone Chapel Assemblies of God
580 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
417-862-2781
info@ag.org

Baptist

Alden Baptist Church
649 State Street
Springfield, MA 01109
413-736-5997
info@aldenbaptistchurch.org

Bible Baptist Church
722 Florence Road
Florence, MA
413-586-2290

First Churches of Northampton (U.C.C. and A.B.C.)
129 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01062
413-584-9392
Ramp-accessible entrance on Center Street side of building.

Christian Science

Christian Science Society of Northampton
46 Center Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-584-3420
christianscience.northampton@gmail.com

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
23 Brigham Lane
Amherst, MA
413-549-5053

Congregational

Edwards Church
297 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-584-5500
info@edwardschurchnorthampton.org

Florence Congregational Church
130 Pine Street
Florence, MA 01062
413-584-1325
office@fccnorthampton.org

St. John’s Congregational Church
45 Hancock Street
Springfield, MA 01109
413-734-2283

Contemporary Christian Worship

MERCYhouse
365 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-238-1883
contact@knowmercy.org

Eastern Orthodox

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
410 Main Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
413-533-9880

St. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church
118 Carew Street
Springfield, MA 01104
413-734-8472

Episcopal

St. John’s Episcopal Church
48 Elm Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-584-1757
office@stjohnsnorthampton.org

Jehovah’s Witnesses

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness
165 Bridge Road
Florence, MA 01062
413-584-6159

Korean

Amherst Korean Church
434 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-658-7779

Methodist

Christ United Methodist Church
271 Rocky Hill Road (Route 66)
Northampton, MA 01062
413-584-5935
christnorthampton@gmail.com

Nondenominational

Cathedral in the Night
Cathedral in the Night is an outdoor Christian community in downtown Northampton which seeks to create a safe place for all people to gather for a meal and to empower one another to engage in issues of social justice by working to fight the causes of inequality and homelessness.

Sunday Nights at 4:30 p.m.: Inclusive Outdoor Worship and 5 p.m. Community Meal
On the sidewalk of First Churches
129 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
info@cathedralinthenight.org 
Facebook.com/cathedralinthenight

Pentecostal

Assembly of Christian Churches
18 Hartford Street
South Hadley, MA
413-535-2509

Christian Pentecostal Church
96 Cabot Street
Holyoke, MA
413-532-6192

Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church
160 W. State Street
Granby, MA 01033
413-532-6983

West Springfield Covenant Community Church
112 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
413-363-9875
wsccc112@gmail.com

Quaker

Northampton Friends Meeting
43 Center Street, Second Floor
Northampton, MA 01060
413-268-0199
northampton@neym.org

Seventh-Day Adventist

Florence Seventh-Day Adventist Church
354 North Elm Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-782-6260
florencema.sda@gmail.com

The Rev. Sung H. Kim
sungh999@gmail.com
413-535-0916

The Rev. Susannah Crolius
Artandsoul.wm@gmail.com
413-348-2385

Min. Dawn Orluske
morluske@gmail.com
413-320-1278

Baptist

Pastor Todd Weir
First Churches of Northampton
pastor@firstchurches.org
413-584-9392

The Rev. Dr. L.A. Love
drlove@aldenbaptistchurch.org
413-736-5997

The Rev. Jaquelyn Smith-Crooks
jsmithc870@gmail.com
413-256-0104

Eastern Orthodox

Nicholas Groves
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Parish (Holyoke)
medmannov@aol.com
773-682-5545

Episcopal

The Rev. Anna Woofenden
St. John’s Episcopal Church (Northampton)
cmunz@stjohnsnorthampton.org
413-584-1757

Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

Anna Govor
anna.govor@intervarsity.org

Lutheran

Pastor Stephanie Smith
Cathedral in the Night (Northampton)
pastorstephsmith@gmail.com
413-533-1925 (cell)

Quaker

Bruce and Ruth Hawkins
Northampton Friends Meeting
bhawkins@smith.edu
413-584-2788

Hinduism

Hindu Student Organization
Contact: Kim Alston (kalston@smith.edu)

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
605 Silver Street
Agawam, MA
413-786-4878

Judaism

Jewish students at Smith come from diverse backgrounds. Smith’s vibrant and celebratory Jewish life happens at CRSL, in the Kosher Kitchen, and in student houses. We come together as a community to celebrate major Jewish holidays with services and communal meals. SCJC (Smith College Jewish Community) is the main Jewish organization at Smith that holds weekly Shabbat services and student-cooked dairy/vegetarian Kosher dinners. SCJC also holds cultural events and educational events open to the entire campus.

Tzedek Tirdof is a new organization bringing Jewish programs to campus. They started in spring 2025, holding a Seder on the second night of Passover.

Jewish Student Adviser

Rabbi Bruce Bromberg-Seltzer
bbrombergseltzer@smith.edu

Jewish Studies

The program in Jewish studies at Smith College explores the history, literature, arts, politics, philosophy, culture, religion and languages of the Jewish people from its origins in ancient Israel through contact with major world civilizations over the course of a global diaspora extending more than two millennia. Students have opportunities to work closely with committed faculty in special studies at the advanced level, to develop close mentoring relationships and to expand their knowledge through study abroad.

Kosher Dining

Kosher dining options are available for all meals at Smith, including special meals during Passover and the Jewish high holidays. Learn more on Religious Accommodations.

Shabbat

Fridays at 5:30 p.m., Kosher Kitchen, Jordan House
Celebrate Shabbat with Smith College’s Jewish Community every Friday evening, featuring student-led Shabbat services and communal Shabbat dinner (students prepare Kosher dairy and vegetarian food each week). Please email scjc@smith.edu for more information. All students are welcome.

In the Community

Chabad

Chabad House
30 North Hadley Road
Amherst, MA
413-626-7820

Conservative

B'nai Israel (CBI)
253 Prospect Street
Northampton, MA
413-584-3593
office@cbinorthampton.org

Reconstructionist

Jewish Community of Amherst
742 Main Street
Amherst, MA
413-256-0160
info@jcamhers.org

Reform

Beit Ahavah
130 Pine Street
Florence, MA
413-587-3770
info@beitahavah.org

Chabad

Rabbi Shmuel and Ariel Kravitsky
shmuel_kravitsky@yahoo.com
arielkravitsky@gmail.com
413-835-0085

Islam

Muslim life at Smith College is a vibrant and welcoming community made up of students from diverse cultural backgrounds, experiences, and countries. Together, they cultivate a space where social, spiritual, and compassionate connections thrive. Through creative initiatives and shared traditions, the Muslim community transforms the campus into a home away from home, fostering a sense of belonging and support for students.

Muslim Student Adviser

Kim Alston
Program and Communications Manager; Muslim Student Adviser
kalston@smith.edu
413-585-2753
Helen Hills Hills Chapel B6

Muslim Students Organization

Al Iman is a Muslim Students’ Association affiliated with MSA National, dedicated to create an environment for Muslims and non-Muslims to come together and participate in communal events and activities that fortify Muslim identity. Al Iman’s goals include planning activities to better enable Smith students to understand Islam, its image in the world, and its political, spiritual, and human implications. The organization promotes values that support unity, a local and global community, and the value of humanity.

Jummah Prayer

Fridays from 12:30-2:30 p.m., Hampshire Mosque, Hadley
Students gather in front of the Helen Hills Hills Chapel for transportation to the mosque by 12:30 p.m. and return to campus no later than 2:30 p.m. Remember to complete your ablution beforehand. Extra prayer rugs are available if you need one! To RSVP, email crsl@smith.edu.

Middle East Studies

Middle East Studies provides students with the opportunity to deeply explore the region’s historical, political, social, and cultural complexity. Broadly conceived, this geographical region stretches from North Africa to southwest and central Asia. Students gain perspective on Islamic history, its challenges, achievements, and religious thought.

Halal Dining

Halal dining is available for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch during the academic year in the Cutter/Ziskind dining room. We serve Zahiba meat when the menu calls for a meat entree. 

Learn more about Halal dining, including dining during Ramadan.

In the Community

Hampshire Mosque
451 Russell Street
Hadley, MA 01035
413-461-1228
info@hampshiremosque.org

Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts
377 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA
413-788-7546
info@iswmonline.com

Islamic Masumeen Center of New England
115 Wood Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
508-544-1244

Hebatuallah Saleh
hsaleh.sc@gmail.com
WhatsApp +46736985552

Imam Rasul Seifullah
rfseifullah@msn.com
413-219-1426

Sufi

Dianne Germain al Ansari
wmassqrt@gmail.com
413-297-4907

Shaykh Kevin Germain al Ansari
wmassqrt@gmail.com
413-527-1907

Unitarian Universalism

The Unitarian Society of Northampton & Florence
220 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-584-1390
office@uunorthampton.org

The Rev. Janet Bush
Unitarian Society of Northampton & Florence
revjanetbush@gmail.com
413-584-1390

Community Participation

The Center for Religious & Spiritual Life values community collaboration and welcomes participation from community members and organizations. In order to achieve a harmonious working relationship, the Center has established protocols to guide interactions with staff and offer important information on the programming process.

Guidelines

  • CRSL develops its programming schedule one or two semesters prior to implementation.
  • Community organizations and individuals who want to collaborate with CRSL on programs, activities and events should submit a proposal in writing for consideration.
  • The proposal must be approved by the director of Religious and Spiritual Life and fit into the Center’s goals and objectives for the year as well as the Center’s mission.
  • In some cases the proposal will be brought before the Student Advisory Board for input and feedback prior to a final decision.
  • Proposals should be submitted preferably the semester before the intended date but at least four to six weeks prior for proper consideration.
  • Proposals should include date, time, program description, budget, resources and requested support.
  • Collaborators are expected to assist in marketing efforts (e.g., creating flyers, posters and press releases). The Center will use its normal college channels for on campus promotion and when warranted, marketing to the community.
  • The Center makes space reservations for programs in accordance with Smith College’s Events Management Office procedures and guidelines, which can take up to two weeks for approvals.
  • Priority consideration is given to proposal ideas which align most closely to Center goals.
  • Community partners are expected to adhere to CRSL established deadlines.
  • CRSL does not release student names and emails to outside groups as a rule to protect student privacy. However, the Center can send communication to students using its internal database, as appropriate.
  • All marketing flyers and posters must be approved by CRSL before distribution on campus and should include CRSL, Smith College, and access logos.