Architect Behind University of Mary’s Marian Grotto to Headline 2026 Prayer Day

Adam Hermanson explores how sacred architecture draws hearts and minds toward God during free public event November 18

BISMARCK, ND — The architect behind some of the University of Mary’s most cherished places of prayer will return to campus Wednesday, Nov. 18, as keynote speaker for the university’s annual Prayer Day, a longstanding tradition inviting the public to reflect on faith, beauty, and the presence of God in everyday life.

Adam Hermanson, founder and leader of Integration Design Group, has helped shape the spiritual landscape of Mary’s campus through his designs of the Warford Grotto, also known as the Marian Grotto, Benet Chapel, and Jacob’s Well. His presentation will explore the relationship between sacred architecture, Catholic tradition, and the ways physical spaces can inspire prayer and deepen faith.

For Hermanson, architecture is more than the arrangement of buildings and materials. It is an opportunity to create environments that communicate the sacred and invite people into a deeper encounter with God.

“Our sacred spaces ought to possess a certain transcendence that offers a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy in which we participate in each celebration of Holy Mass,” Hermanson explained in a published interview with “Faith & Culture.”

A Legacy of Faith Expressed Through Architecture

Hermanson’s work continues an architectural tradition established when the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery founded the University of Mary in 1959. The sisters commissioned world-renowned architect Marcel Breuer to design the university’s original campus buildings, establishing a distinctive architectural character that remains evident today.

That heritage is particularly visible in the Grotto, where native prairie fieldstone echoes materials used throughout the campus. Made possible through the generosity of the Warford family, the Grotto overlooks the Missouri River valley, and provides a peaceful setting for personal devotion, reflection, and prayer. Hermanson’s renovation of Benet Chapel similarly transformed an existing worship space through sacred artwork, carefully considered lighting, and liturgical furnishings designed to direct attention toward God.

Father Paul Gardner, the university’s chaplain, says Prayer Day offers an opportunity to consider how beauty can become an invitation to prayer.

“Sacred spaces remind us that God is present in our lives and that even the places we inhabit can draw us closer to Him,” Gardner said. “Adam Hermanson’s work here at Mary demonstrates how architecture can serve the Church’s mission by creating places where people encounter beauty, experience peace, and deepen their relationship with Christ.”

A Day of Prayer, Reflection, and Fellowship

Prayer Day begins at 9 a.m. with Mass in Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel, followed by Hermanson’s keynote presentation at 10 a.m. in Founders Hall. At 11 a.m., Hermanson will join Father Gregory Crane, chair of University of Mary’s Department of Theology, for a discussion exploring themes of faith and sacred architecture. Lunch follows at noon in the Crow’s Nest Campus Restaurant. Two afternoon breakout sessions, beginning at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., will take place in the Leach Center for Student Life and Founders Hall. The day concludes at 2 p.m. with a guided tour of the sacred spaces Hermanson designed on campus.

Organized by the Saint John Paul II Center for University Ministry, Prayer Day has been a University of Mary tradition for more than four decades. The annual gathering provides students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community an opportunity to step away from their daily routines for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

A registered architect in seven states, Hermanson has taught graduate-level design at the University of Colorado and frequently lectures on sacred architecture in the Catholic tradition. His firm specializes in designing and renovating churches, chapels, and other spaces that support the spiritual life of Catholic communities.

Prayer Day is free and open to everyone, regardless of religious affiliation. Meal tickets are available for pre-registered guests. For additional information, the complete schedule, or guest meal tickets, visit umary.edu/PrayerDay.