About Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel (Thomas More University) · Crestview Hills, Kentucky
Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel is the spiritual heart of Thomas More University, a Catholic diocesan college in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. Dedicated on December 9, 2012 — the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception — the 8,500-square-foot, free-standing chapel seats more than 300 people and stands at the literal geographic center of campus, with a bell tower whose 15-foot cross marks it as a place of worship. It serves the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Thomas More, the Diocese of Covington (the university's chancellor), and welcomes the broader Northern Kentucky community for daily and Sunday Mass during the academic year. A 24-hour meditation chapel within the building extends the chapel's welcome beyond scheduled liturgies.
- Established
- 2012
- Patron
- Mary, Seat of Wisdom (BVM, Sedes Sapientiae)
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Gerald E. Twaddell, D.Phil., KCHS (Rector and Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Covington, Kentucky
Why belong here
Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel welcomes everyone — Thomas More students of all faiths, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends from the broader Northern Kentucky community — for daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and quiet prayer. A 24-hour meditation chapel offers a secure space for spiritual reflection at any hour, and the campus community gathers here for retreats, OCIA, faith-sharing groups, social justice programs, music ministry, and student-led retreats. Because the chapel is also available for weddings of alumni and supporters, it serves both the daily rhythm of campus life and the lifelong milestones of those connected to the university.
Mass times at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel (Thomas More University)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays 7:00–7:50 p.m. (during the academic year)
- Mondays 3:30–4:00 p.m. (during the academic year)
- By appointment with Msgr. Gerald Twaddell
Adoration times
- Mondays 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. (during the academic year)
About Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel
Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel is the physical focal point and spiritual heart of the Thomas More University campus in Crestview Hills, Kentucky — the literal geographic center of campus. As the physical representation of the university's Catholic identity, it affords the campus community a spiritual space that supports and complements the pursuit of intellectual excellence and personal growth. The chapel welcomes the broader Northern Kentucky faith community to worship here regularly during the academic year, with daily and Sunday Mass and a 24-hour meditation chapel open for quiet prayer.
- 8,500 square feet; seats more than 300 (capacity 310)
- Free-standing chapel with bell tower topped by a 15-foot cross
- Includes a 24/7 meditation chapel for students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends
- Houses the Office of Campus Ministry
- Available for weddings of alumni and supporters
History
The dream of a free-standing chapel on the Thomas More campus was long held by the community. President Sister Margaret Stallmeyer, C.D.P., launched an official fundraising campaign in 2009. The Diocese of Covington led donors with a $500,000 multi-year pledge, and a capstone gift from John and Juanita Griffin and family allowed the college to meet its $3.5 million goal in early 2011. Groundbreaking took place in August 2011, construction was managed by Klenco Construction, and the chapel was dedicated on December 9, 2012, by Bishop Roger J. Foys, chancellor of the college. The tenth anniversary was marked in December 2022 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop John Iffert and Msgr. Gerald Twaddell concelebrating.
- Groundbreaking: August 2011
- Dedication: December 9, 2012 (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception)
- Total project cost: $4.2 million
- Funded by more than 200 donors
- 10th Anniversary Mass: December 9, 2022 (Bishop John Iffert)
Patron and Dedication
The chapel is dedicated to Mary under the title Seat of Wisdom (Sedes Sapientiae). Her central stained-glass image — Mary with her Divine Son seated on her lap — illuminates the sanctuary and identifies the chapel's patroness. The chapel's dedication date of December 9 falls on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
- Patron: Mary, Seat of Wisdom (BVM)
- Feast: traditionally May 31; chapel dedication December 9 (Immaculate Conception)
- Center stained-glass window: Mary with the Christ Child
Architecture and Design
Designed by Robert Ehmet Hayes & Associates PLLC of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, the chapel is built around radiating circles — like ripples in a pond — centered on the altar, which represents Christ's sacrifice and marks the spiritual heart of campus. A soaring ceiling crowns the altar and seating radiates toward it. Materials — exposed brick and wood — were chosen for warmth and longevity. The building is oriented for maximum north light and incorporates an energy-efficient geothermal HVAC system.
- Architect: Robert Ehmet Hayes & Associates PLLC (Joseph Hayes, lead)
- Concept originated with the late Robert Ehmet Hayes, 2000
- Builder: Klenco Construction
- Radiating circle plan centered on the altar
- Bell tower with 15-foot cross at its peak; bell chimes on the hour
- Exterior amphitheater for informal gathering
- Geothermal heating and cooling
Art and Furnishings
Stained-glass windows up to 35 feet tall are the visual centerpiece of the sanctuary. The central window depicts Mary with her Divine Son (the source of wisdom) seated on her lap. Hall panels portray a youthful Thomas More engrossed in his studies — a reminder of the university's namesake and his search for truth, goodness, and justice — and recall the founding religious communities of the college: the Benedictine Sisters, the Sisters of Notre Dame, and the Sisters of Divine Providence.
- Stained-glass design: Sr. Emmanuel Pieper, St. Walburg Monastery, Villa Hills
- Stained-glass fabrication: David Duff, Classical Glass, Cincinnati
- Center window: Mary with the Christ Child
- Hall panels: youthful Thomas More; the three founding religious communities
Liturgical Schedule
Mass is offered in Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. and on Sunday evenings at 8:00 p.m. during the academic year. Holy Days of Obligation are observed with Mass at 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Mass is not held during the summer break or on certain holidays; the chapel typically closes for late November (Thanksgiving), the Christmas/New Year season, and resumes with the spring semester.
- Sunday: 8:00 p.m. (during academic year)
- Monday–Friday: 11:30 a.m.
- Holy Days: 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
- Holiday closures around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
Campus Ministry and Staff
The Office of Campus Ministry is housed within the chapel. Its mission is to invite the entire university community into a journey of discovery of friendship with God through prayer, presence, programming, sacramental and co-curricular initiatives, and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition — forming the whole person: mind, body, and soul. Andrew Cole serves as Director of Campus Ministry, and Josh Ostertag serves as Director of the Bishop Foys Scholars Program and Assistant Campus Minister. Msgr. Gerald E. Twaddell is the chapel's Rector and University Chaplain.
- Rev. Msgr. Gerald E. Twaddell — Rector / Chaplain
- Andrew Cole — Director of Campus Ministry ([email protected], 859-344-3683)
- Josh Ostertag — Director of Bishop Foys Scholars Program; Assistant Campus Minister ([email protected], 859-344-3399)
Ministries and Programs
Campus Ministry offers a range of programs that support Catholic identity, formation, and community life on campus. Students of all faiths are welcome.
- Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)
- Student-led Bible discussions and faith-sharing groups
- Student-led retreats
- Music team (student liturgical music)
- Social Justice Programs
- Community Service
- Leadership and team-building development
- Spiritual Direction
- Bishop Foys Scholars Program
- Center for Faith, Mission, and Catholic Education (Hannah Keegan, director)
Sacraments Offered
The chapel is the regular setting for Mass, Reconciliation, and Eucharistic Adoration, and serves as the place where the OCIA journey is supported. It is also available for weddings of alumni and supporters of Thomas More University.
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Mass)
- Reconciliation
- Eucharistic Adoration
- OCIA
- Weddings (alumni and supporters)
Visiting the Chapel
The chapel is located at 333 Thomas More Parkway on the Thomas More University campus in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. The main chapel is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and the meditation space is always open. All are welcome — students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends from the wider Northern Kentucky community.
- Address: 333 Thomas More Parkway, Crestview Hills, KY 41017
- Phone: (859) 344-3683
- Open daily 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; meditation space always open
Thomas More University and the Diocese of Covington
Thomas More University is the Catholic college of the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky. Founded in 1921 as Villa Madonna College by the Benedictine Sisters of Covington to train Catholic school teachers, sponsorship passed to the Diocese in 1929. The college relocated to its current Crestview Hills campus — then renamed Thomas More College — and was dedicated by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel continues this more-than-century-old Catholic educational and cultural mission on a campus that today welcomes students of all faiths.
- Founded 1921 as Villa Madonna College by the Benedictine Sisters
- Diocesan sponsorship since 1929
- Crestview Hills campus dedicated 1968; renamed Thomas More College
- Chapel: physical representation of the university's Catholic identity
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Gerald E. Twaddell2012–present
Rector since the chapel's dedication on December 9, 2012; has served the university as Chaplain and Professor of Philosophy since August 1977.