About Church of the Incarnation · Irving, Texas
The Church of the Incarnation is the Catholic parish church of the University of Dallas, located on the university's Irving, Texas campus. A 500-seat church housing the St. Thomas Aquinas Reliquary Chapel, it primarily serves the spiritual needs of UD students, faculty, staff, and alumni, while warmly welcoming all who wish to worship. On August 15, 2001, the Diocese of Dallas elevated it from a chapel to a church, recognizing its special status as a faith community centered not on a geographic parish but on a university campus. In 2014, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Dallas Chapter honored the building with its Twenty-Five Year Award for its distinctive post-war architecture.
- Established
- 1985
- Rector
- Fr. Jerónimo Espinosa (Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas
Why belong here
The Church of the Incarnation is the spiritual home of the University of Dallas and welcomes all — students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors — to participate in its rich liturgical life. It offers two daily Masses during the academic year, multiple Sunday Masses, weekday confessions, and devotion through the St. Thomas Aquinas Reliquary Chapel and Eucharistic Adoration. Whether you are a current Crusader seeking sacramental preparation, an engaged couple planning a wedding, or a visitor who simply wishes to pray, the Church of the Incarnation offers a faithful Catholic home on the Irving campus.
Mass times at Church of the Incarnation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 10:15–11:45 a.m.
- Thursday: 10:15–11:45 a.m. (academic year only)
- Friday: 10:15–11:45 a.m. (academic year only)
- Saturday: 10:15–11:45 a.m.
About the Church of the Incarnation
The Church of the Incarnation is the Catholic parish church serving the University of Dallas community. Located near the center of the Irving campus, this 500-seat church houses the St. Thomas Aquinas Reliquary Chapel and serves the spiritual needs of the university's more than 3,000 students, along with faculty, staff, and alumni. While its primary mission is the UD community, the church welcomes all who wish to worship there. On August 15, 2001, the Diocese of Dallas elevated it from a chapel to a church — a title that emphasizes its special status as a faith community centered on a university campus rather than a geographic parish.
- 500-seat worship space
- Houses the St. Thomas Aquinas Reliquary Chapel with relics of nearly two dozen saints
- Welcomes all who wish to worship
- Primary mission: serve UD students, faculty, staff, and alumni
History of the Church
When the University of Dallas opened in September 1956 with just 96 students, the original St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel on the west side of campus served as its Catholic worship space. As the university grew, a larger church was needed, and on March 24, 1985, the Chapel of the Incarnation was dedicated. Built under the leadership of Msgr. Donald Fischer with the support of alumni families like Oscar Dean and Margie Cruse, the chapel was elevated to Church status by the Diocese of Dallas on August 15, 2001.
- 1956: University of Dallas opens; original St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel on west side of campus
- March 24, 1985: Chapel of the Incarnation dedicated
- Built under the leadership of Msgr. Donald Fischer with support from alumni families
- August 15, 2001: Diocese of Dallas elevates Chapel to Church status
- 2014: AIA Dallas Twenty-Five Year Award for enduring architecture
- 2024: New Spanish-made tabernacle blessed by Bishop Edward J. Burns
Devotions and Special Liturgies
The Church of the Incarnation enriches the campus liturgical life with seasonal devotions and special celebrations. During Lent, student ministry leaders lead Stations of the Cross every Friday at 7:00 p.m. Each year the church hosts Dantedì — a marathon reading of the Divine Comedy — and the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the church's own feast day, is celebrated with Mass and the blessing of sacred furnishings such as the new 2024 tabernacle.
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays during Lent at 7:00 p.m., led by student ministry leaders
- Dantedì — annual marathon reading of the Divine Comedy on the church lawn
- Solemnity of the Annunciation (March 25) — church's feast day
Sacraments
The staff of the Church of the Incarnation is able to provide sacramental assistance for members of the University of Dallas community. Sacramental certificates can be requested by emailing Rosemary Crocker. Several sacraments have specific eligibility tied to UD students, faculty, staff, or alumni, reflecting the church's role as the university's parish.
Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is celebrated only for the children of current UD students, faculty, staff, or alumni. Fr. Jerónimo Espinosa and Deacon Ryan Sales are available to perform baptisms; outside clergy may also serve with the deacon's coordination. Baptism preparation courses are available online rather than at the church itself. Inquiries should go to Rosemary Crocker at [email protected].
- Available only for children of current UD students, faculty, staff, or alumni
- Performed by Fr. Jerónimo Espinosa and Deacon Ryan Sales
- Online baptism preparation courses available
- Contact: Rosemary Crocker ([email protected])
Sacrament of Matrimony (Marriage)
Marriages at the Church of the Incarnation are open only to UD students, faculty, staff, or alumni. The marriage preparation process is coordinated by Deacon Ryan Sales and follows an 11-step guide, with an average processing time of 153 days. Couples are encouraged to begin preparation at least 7.6 months before the wedding date, with completed paperwork due 30 days prior for weddings at the Incarnation.
- Weddings only for UD students, faculty, staff, or alumni
- Marriage preparation courses only for current UD students, faculty, and staff
- Average processing time: 153 days
- Recommended start: 7.6 months before wedding date
- Paperwork due 30 days prior for weddings at the Church of the Incarnation
- Contact: Deacon Ryan Sales ([email protected], 972-721-5118)
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
The OCIA process through Campus Ministry is open only to current UD students, faculty, and staff. It welcomes the unbaptized, baptized non-Catholics, Catholics seeking First Eucharist or Confirmation, the simply curious, and those wanting to deepen their Catholic faith.
- For current UD students, faculty, and staff only
- Open to unbaptized, baptized non-Catholics, Catholics seeking Eucharist or Confirmation, the curious, and those seeking to grow in faith
Funeral Liturgies
Funerals are celebrated at the Church of the Incarnation for students, faculty, staff, and their immediate family members. Funerals for those outside the University community are considered on a case-by-case basis, and all are encouraged to contact their proper pastor for funeral arrangements.
- Available for UD students, faculty, staff, and immediate family members
- Outside requests considered case-by-case
- Contact: Rosemary Crocker ([email protected])
Church Staff
The Church of the Incarnation is served by a small team of clergy and lay staff who together coordinate the parish's sacramental, liturgical, and musical life. The office is located in Room 254 of SB Hall on the UD Irving campus.
- Fr. Jerónimo Espinosa — Chaplain ([email protected], 972-721-5080)
- Deacon Ryan Sales — Deacon / Marriage Preparation ([email protected], 972-721-5118)
- Rosemary Crocker — Liturgical Coordinator ([email protected])
- Eric Lewis — Music Director ([email protected])
- Dihan Fernando — Sexton ([email protected])
- Office: Room 254, SB Hall — main line 972-721-5375
Architecture and the St. Thomas Aquinas Reliquary Chapel
The Church of the Incarnation is a 500-seat post-war building recognized by the AIA Dallas Chapter with the 2014 Twenty-Five Year Award — the chapter's highest honor, given annually to a work of enduring architecture at least 25 years old. The church also houses the St. Thomas Aquinas Reliquary Chapel, which contains relics of nearly two dozen saints, providing a space for prayer and veneration.
- 500-seat worship space
- 2014 AIA Dallas Twenty-Five Year Award recipient
- St. Thomas Aquinas Reliquary Chapel with relics of nearly two dozen saints
Visiting and Contact
Visitors and the UD community are warmly welcomed at the Church of the Incarnation. The parish office is located in Room 254 of SB Hall on the University of Dallas Irving campus, with a main line at (972) 721-5375. The parish also shares Mass and confession schedules for nearby Catholic parishes in Irving, Coppell, and the Cistercian Abbey for those seeking additional opportunities for the sacraments.
- Office: Room 254 of SB Hall, University of Dallas Irving campus
- Main phone: (972) 721-5375
- Address: 1845 E. Northgate Dr., Irving, TX 75062
- Lists confession times at nearby parishes and the Cistercian Abbey
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Donald Fischer
Pastor under whose leadership the Church of the Incarnation was built on the University of Dallas campus.