About Catholic Campus Center at Washburn University · Topeka, Kansas
Cor Christi Catholic Center is the Catholic campus ministry serving students, faculty, and staff of Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Founded in 1970 and operated under the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the center is located across the street from the Washburn campus at 1633 SW Jewell Avenue. It is led by a chaplain priest and a lay director and provides Sunday and weekday Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation groups, retreats, and fellowship for the Washburn community. In 2024 the center was renamed from the 'Catholic Campus Center at Washburn University' to 'Cor Christi Catholic Center' — Latin for 'Heart of Christ' — to reflect a renewed eucharistic identity.
- Established
- 1970
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus (the center's name 'Cor Christi' means 'Heart of Christ')
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
Cor Christi Catholic Center exists to serve the spiritual needs of the Washburn community and welcomes students, faculty, and staff into a small but growing Catholic family. Members gather for Sunday and weekday Mass, weekly Eucharetic Adoration, Reconciliation, a weekly community rosary, men's and women's groups, and Thursday-night faith formation meetings that range from Bible studies to guest speakers. The center also runs retreats (including the student-led 'Delectus' retreat held at Prairie Star Ranch) and sends students to the national SEEK conference. For a Catholic at Washburn, Cor Christi offers a place to frequent the sacraments, build lasting friendships, and grow as a disciple of Jesus.
Mass times at Catholic Campus Center at Washburn University
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM (during the Fall and Spring semesters only)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (during the Fall and Spring semesters only)
Welcome to Cor Christi
The official site frames Cor Christi Catholic Center as a place where students are invited to pray, play, and dive deeper into faith. The home page features a 'Play and Pray' video, the daily Mass readings, photo albums from recent years (2020–2024), and quick links to events, retreats, Mass times, sacraments, and campus ministry. A banner highlights the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas' vision statement: 'Growing as Disciples of Jesus, Making Disciples for Jesus.'
- Daily Mass readings embedded on homepage
- Photo albums: 2023–2024 Photos, SEEK24 St. Louis, Delectus September 2023, SEEK23 St. Louis, 2022–2023 Photos, 2020–2021 Photos
- Instagram feed for @cccatwashburn
History & Identity
Founded in 1970 as a Catholic campus ministry for Washburn University under the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the center was renamed 'Cor Christi Catholic Center' in 2024. The Latin name — 'Heart of Christ' — was chosen to give the ministry a eucharistic identity and to foster devotion to the Sacred Heart. Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Naumann formally approved the center's plan to host FOCUS missionaries in March 2025.
- Founded 1970 (Archdiocese listing)
- Renamed 2024 to 'Cor Christi Catholic Center'
- Name means 'Heart of Christ' in Latin
- 55 years of ministry celebrated in 2025
Mission & Vision
The center publishes both a mission and a vision statement on its site. The mission is to glorify God, evangelize, and minister to the spiritual needs of the Washburn community in accordance with the Catholic Church's mission. The vision is to be a community of disciples journeying alongside one another — welcoming, joyful, prayerful, scripture-rooted, sacramental, and service-oriented.
- Mission: to glorify God, evangelize, and minister to the spiritual needs of the Washburn community
- Vision: a community of disciples journeying alongside one another
- Goal: welcoming, joyful environment built on prayer, God's word, the sacraments, service, and lasting friendships
Staff & Leadership
The center is led by a lay director and a priest chaplain appointed by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The director is the main point of contact for ministry and operations, while the chaplain offers the sacraments and spiritual direction.
- Director: Jessica Hammer (since summer 2022); also serves as cantor at the annual kickoff Mass
- Chaplain: Father George Rhodes (associate pastor of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka) — reassigned by Archdiocesan decree effective October 31, 2025
- Student leadership: officers/treasurer and other student leaders run faith formation, social events, and retreats
- Contact: [email protected]
Faith Formation & Small Groups
Beyond Sunday Mass, the center runs regular faith-formation gatherings designed to build community and intellectual formation. The Thursday-night meeting is the flagship gathering, rotating between guest speakers and traditional Bible studies, while a separate weekly group meets for additional faith formation beyond what is offered to all students.
- Thursday-night meetings (Bible studies, guest speakers, group discussions)
- Men's group
- Women's group
- Weekly community rosary
- Additional faith-formation group for committed students
Retreats & Conferences
Retreats are a signature part of the center's ministry, and the iGiveCatholic profile calls them 'often the place where students have conversions of heart.' The student-led Delectus retreat is run annually at Prairie Star Ranch, and the center also takes students to the national SEEK conference organized by FOCUS.
- Delectus student-led retreat (held at Prairie Star Ranch); 10th anniversary held Nov. 7–8, 2025
- SEEK national Catholic conference (attended SEEK23 and SEEK24 in St. Louis; SEEK26 planned in Denver)
Social Life & Community Events
Director Jessica Hammer and student leaders emphasize that Cor Christi is not just a place to come for Sunday Mass but a community. The year opens with a Kick-Off Week that includes social events — in recent years a pickleball outing with Father Rhodes — and continues with Rush Week, game nights, and fellowship meals after Sunday Mass.
- Kick-Off Week (annual fall launch)
- Rush Week
- Sunday meal and fellowship after the 5:00 PM Mass
- Game nights and social outings (e.g., pickleball at a local park)
Service, Outreach & Future Plans
Service and evangelization are central to Cor Christi's identity. The center is currently fundraising to bring FOCUS missionaries — a model the director saw firsthand at SEEK in 2023 — to Washburn's campus. Archbishop Emeritus Naumann approved the FOCUS partnership in March 2025, and the inaugural 'Evening of Hope' gala in October 2025 marked 55 years of ministry.
- Fundraising for FOCUS missionaries (goal: 4 missionaries; $70,000 raised in part through Evening of Hope gala, October 2025)
- Matched a $25,000 challenge gift during the first Evening of Hope
- Plans to add a part-time development director
- Archbishop's Call to Share (ACTS) campaign funds the center's broader ministry
Visit, Contact & Location
The center sits across the street from the Washburn campus at 1633 SW Jewell Avenue in Topeka, KS 66604. Visitors can reach the office by phone, by general email, or by contacting the director directly. The site links to Facebook, X, and Instagram for ongoing updates.
- Address: 1633 SW Jewell Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604
- Phone: 785-233-2204
- Email: [email protected]
- Director email: [email protected]
- Driving directions: I-70 to Gage Blvd., south on Gage to 17th St., east on 17th St. to Jewell Ave.
- Office hours vary; closed during summer break