Acquisition and restoration of historic St. Ann Chapel is a special project undertaken in late 1999 by the Thomas Merton Center of Palo Alto. This outstanding modernist chapel was built in 1950 as a memorial to Ann Brokaw, the daughter of Congresswoman and social activist Clare Boothe Luce. Ann Brokaw died tragically in an automobile accident while a student at Stanford University.

Mrs. Luce engaged architect Vincent Raney to design the chapel and commissioned various notable artists to create the memorial. The French artist Andre Girard was selected to paint the stations of the cross and the windows. Girard’s work at the Saint Ann Chapel has been described by Catholic philosopher and author, Jacques Maritain, as “genuine religious inspiration and genuine artistic mastery.” 

The sculptor who rendered the symbolic Tree of Life on the teak doors was Janet de Crox of New York; Louisa Jenkins of Big Sur is responsible for both the Mosaic and Shrine to Our Blessed Lady and for the baldachin that hangs over the alter; Victor Rier executed the sterling silver candle-holders and the sanctuary lamp; and finally Louis Feron of New York and Paris designed and fashioned a silver Crucifix for the chapel.

A living memorial was established by Professor Bill Mahrt of Stanford at the chapel in1962 in the form of the St Ann Gregorian Choir. The talent of this wonderful choir, the blend of almost perfect acoustics with the sublime artistic setting, treats the listener to a joyful and heavenly musical experience, rarely if ever surpassed. The choir continues to offer weekly Vesper services at the chapel.

In late 1998 the Diocese of San Jose chose to sell the St. Ann property along with the former Newman Center adjacent to the chapel. The Henry Luce Foundation acquired the Chapel portion of the parcel and then entered into a lease agreement with the Thomas Merton Center. The Merton Center has offered many of its spiritual education programs at the chapel.

In April 2003 the Henry Luce Foundation sold the chapel to the Anglican Province of Christ the King, which is headquartered in Berkeley, California. The new owners intend to restore the chapel to its original lustre and resume liturgical services. The chapel will continue to be maintained as a memorial to Ann Clare Brokow