About Catholic Campus Ministry of St. Mark Church · Richmond, Kentucky
The Catholic Campus Ministry of St. Mark Church, also known as the EKU Newman Center or the parish of St. Stephen the Martyr, is the Catholic campus ministry serving the students, faculty, and staff of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. Housed in a dedicated facility at 405 University Drive on the edge of the EKU campus next to Walters Hall, the ministry is part of St. Mark Parish and the Diocese of Lexington. It offers a 5:00 p.m. Sunday Mass during the academic year, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, men's and women's Bible studies, RCIA adapted for college students, youth group, fellowship nights, and service opportunities — all led under the pastoral care of Father Tom Farrell with campus minister Alanna Sininger.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- St. Mark (parish) / St. Stephen the Martyr (Newman Center)
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas (Tom) Farrell
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lexington
Why belong here
The Catholic Campus Ministry of St. Mark Church welcomes EKU students, faculty, and staff to a Sunday-evening Mass right on the edge of campus — no car needed. Around that weekly Eucharist it gathers a real community: weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays, men's and women's Bible studies, a Friday Newman Night of fellowship, fun and games, outdoor movie nights, a dedicated campus RCIA track led by EKU's own Dr. Todd Hartch, and a wide range of service and volunteer opportunities. Under the leadership of pastor Father Tom Farrell and campus minister Alanna Sininger, the ministry makes it easy to plug in — through GroupMe, Facebook, or simply showing up.
Mass times at Catholic Campus Ministry of St. Mark Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- EKU Newman Center — Mondays, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (when EKU is in session)
Newman Center Campus Ministry at a Glance
The Catholic Campus Ministry of St. Mark Church is the EKU Newman Center — a ministry of St. Mark Parish that serves the students, faculty, and staff of Eastern Kentucky University. Its dedicated facility sits on the edge of campus next to Walters Hall, accessible from both University Drive and Kit Carson Drive, so Sunday Mass is just a quick walk from anywhere on campus. Pastor Father Tom Farrell and Director of Youth & Collegiate Ministries Alanna Sininger lead the ministry together.
- Sunday Mass at 5:00 p.m. during the EKU academic year
- No Sunday Mass on 3-day weekends or during Christmas/summer break
- First Mass of 2021–2022 school year: Sunday, August 15
- EKU students fulfill all ministries assisting at Mass — volunteers always welcome
- GroupMe group for easy connection (email [email protected] to join)
History of Catholic Richmond and St. Mark Parish
Catholic life in Richmond stretches back to 1809, when Father Stephen T. Badin likely said the first local Mass. Through the 19th century, circuit-rider priests served a vast mission area from the Madison County Court House and from Catholic homes. The community bought a North Second Street lot in 1860, lost it in 1865, and used the proceeds to purchase the present West Main Street site. Bishop George A. Carroll dedicated the original frame church in 1867, and Father Michael Callaghan became Richmond's first resident pastor in 1874. On All Soul's Day 1906, Father Punch was saying Mass when the frame church burned; Bishop Maes then dedicated the present stone church on December 13, 1908.
- First resident pastor: Father Michael Callaghan (1874)
- Original frame church: dedicated 1867; burned 1906
- Present stone church: dedicated December 13, 1908
- 1941 fire badly damaged the interior; Mass held temporarily at EKU auditorium
- August 30, 1998: new church dedicated; original stone retained as model
History of the EKU Newman Center (St. Stephen the Martyr)
The EKU Newman apostolate began in 1936 when freshman Virginia Perraut founded the Catholic Club. Father John McGuire, chaplain for eight years in the 1960s, secured the land for a permanent center; Father Ronald Kettler became EKU's first full-time Newman chaplain in January 1970. Bishop Ackerman of the Diocese of Covington allocated funds in 1976, and the present facility was dedicated in September 1977. At that point the Newman Center became its own parish, St. Stephen the Martyr, named in memory of student Stephen Potocsnak, who had been killed in an automobile accident. In 1994, under Father Ken Waibel, St. Stephen was merged back into St. Mark Parish.
- 1936: Catholic Club founded by Virginia Perraut
- 1970: Father Ronald Kettler — first full-time chaplain
- 1977: Current Newman Center facility dedicated; parish of St. Stephen the Martyr established
- 1988: St. Mark joined the new Diocese of Lexington
- 1990: Father Greg Schuler appointed to serve both parishes
- 1994: St. Mark and St. Stephen combined under Father Ken Waibel
Pastor Succession at St. Mark Parish
St. Mark has been served by a long line of priests since Father Michael Callaghan became the first resident pastor in 1874. Monsignor Oscar L. Poole holds the record, leading the parish for 38 of his 48 priestly years (1930–1968). Father Tom Farrell has served as pastor since 2016.
- Father Michael Callaghan (1874) — first resident pastor
- Fathers Donnelly, McQuinley, Healy, Merschmann, Punch
- Father Thomas D. Cooney — died young
- Father John F. O'Dwyer (1910) — founded parish societies
- Fathers O'Bryan, Curry, Henry Schulte (1916)
- Monsignor Oscar L. Poole (1930–1968) — 38 years
- Father John Werner (1968) — Vatican II implementation
- Father Greg Schuler (1990) — shared pastor with St. Stephen
- Father Ken Waibel (1994) — merged the parishes
- Father Patrick Stewart (1998) — 1998 new church
- Father James Sichko (2004)
- Father Tom Farrell (2016–present)
Mass and Liturgical Schedule
Sunday Mass at the Newman Center is offered at 5:00 p.m. during the EKU academic year, but is suspended on 3-day weekends, Christmas break, and summer break. The parent St. Mark Parish on West Main Street offers additional Masses including a 6:00 p.m. Saturday Mass in Spanish.
- Newman Center: Sunday 5:00 p.m. (EKU in session)
- St. Mark Parish: Saturday 4:00 p.m. vigil
- St. Mark Parish: Saturday 6:00 p.m. in Spanish
- St. Mark Parish: Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
- Daily Mass available via 5:45 p.m. carpool to St. Mark
Faith Formation and Bible Studies
Throughout the week the Newman Center offers formation for body and soul: weekly Eucharistic Adoration, men's and women's Bible studies, and a Monday evening Bible study. Times are typically set the week before classes begin each semester.
- Eucharistic Adoration — Mondays, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Women's Bible Study — Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m.
- Men's Bible Study — Thursdays, 7:00 p.m.
- Monday Bible Study — 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- Wednesday Bible Study — 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Campus RCIA
The campus RCIA program is specifically designed for EKU students. It is led by Dr. Todd Hartch, a History Professor at EKU. Classes are typically scheduled during the week to accommodate students who go home on weekends; specific times are arranged after Dr. Hartch meets with each interested individual.
- Leader: Dr. Todd Hartch (EKU History Professor)
- EKU students contact Alanna Sininger at [email protected] or 859-623-2989, x 1855
- Non-students, faculty and staff contact the St. Mark parish office at 859-623-2989
Youth and Fellowship
Newman Night brings students together Fridays at 7:00 p.m. for fellowship, fun, and games. The High School Youth Group (grades 9–12) meets Sundays 6:00–7:30 p.m. at the Newman Center, focusing on liturgy, prayer, service, and social activities. Outdoor movie nights, dinners, and service projects run throughout the summer.
- Newman Night — Fridays, 7:00 p.m.
- High School Youth Group — Sundays, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (grades 9–12)
- Outdoor movie nights
- Family Days, Catholic Action Center volunteering, Catholic Leadership Institute Retreat
- Youth Group Facebook group for parents and students
Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation
Baptism, Marriage, and other sacraments are arranged through the St. Mark Parish office. Confirmation is offered to 8th graders after at least two years of religious education, with preparation through the CCD program. A four-week Adult Confirmation program prepares Catholics who missed the sacrament as youth, with confirmation typically received at St. Mark or at the Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday.
- Youth Confirmation — 8th grade via CCD
- Adult Confirmation — four-week program; contact Alanna Sininger
- Adult Confirmation typically received on Pentecost Sunday at St. Mark or the Cathedral
- RCIA for EKU students and for non-student adults
Parish School
St. Mark Catholic School serves PK2 through 8th grade and is a core ministry of the parish. School Masses are celebrated every Friday at 8:00 a.m. during the school year, with classes taking turns preparing the liturgy and Father Tom Farrell crafting homilies that draw the children into reflection on the readings.
- St. Mark Catholic School — 115 Parrish Ave, Richmond KY 40475
- (859) 623-2989, Ext. 4
- Principal: Cathy Cornett ([email protected])
- Weekly School Mass — Fridays 8:00 a.m.
Staff and Contacts
The campus ministry is staffed as part of the wider St. Mark Parish team. Pastoral leadership for the Newman Center comes from the pastor and the Director of Youth & Collegiate Ministries, with separate clergy overseeing Hispanic Ministry and parish deacons.
- Pastor — Rev. Tom Farrell
- Director of Youth & Collegiate Ministries / Campus Minister — Alanna Sininger (x1855, [email protected])
- Director of Hispanic Ministry — Rev. Enrique Montoya
- Deacons — Tony Fritz, Jim Bennett
- Phone — (859) 623-2989
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Michael Callaghan1874–
First resident pastor of Richmond; also served as superior of missionaries for the central Mountain counties.
- Father Francis J. Donnelly
Succeeded Father Callaghan.
- Father John J. McQuinley
- Father Edward Healy
- Father Joseph Merschmann
- Father William Punch
Was saying Mass on All Soul's Day 1906 when the frame church caught fire and burned.
- Father Thomas D. Cooney
Career cut short by an untimely death.
- Father John F. O'Dwyer1910–
Built the 1911 pastoral residence; established Holy Name Society, Altar Society, Young Ladies' Sodality and Children of Mary Sodality.
- Father George O'Bryan
- Father William Curry
- Father Henry Schulte1916–
Bishop Ferdinand B. ... present for St. Mark's Golden Jubilee on October 21, 1917.
- Monsignor Oscar L. Poole1930–1968
Served Richmond for 38 of his 48 years of priesthood; famous remark on retirement — 'Heaven and Hell are just as close to Richmond as anywhere else!'
- Father John Werner1968–
Implemented changes inside the church to comply with the directives of Vatican Council II.
- Father Greg Schuler1990–
Appointed by Bishop Williams to serve both St. Mark and St. Stephen in a shared-pastor arrangement.
- Father Ken Waibel1994–
Combined St. Mark and St. Stephen as one parish under the name St. Mark; appointed Elaine Caldwell as pastoral associate.
- Father Patrick Stewart1998–
Oversaw the August 30, 1998 dedication of the new church.
- Father James Sichko2004–
- Father Tom Farrell2016–present
Current pastor; also oversees the EKU Newman Center (St. Stephen the Martyr) as a ministry of St. Mark Parish.