About Mercyhurst College · Erie, Pennsylvania
Mercyhurst University (formerly Mercyhurst College) is a private Catholic comprehensive university in the Mercy tradition, located on a hill overlooking Lake Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy of the Diocese of Erie, the university is the second-largest Mercy university in America and remains rooted in the mission of Catherine McAuley. Campus Ministry — staffed by a director, assistant director, campus minister, and director of liturgical music — serves as the spiritual heart of campus, centered on Christ the King Chapel (a 360-seat Gothic Revival worship space completed in 1933). The university welcomes students of all faiths to a vibrant liturgical, retreat, fellowship, and service life that has shaped Laker students for nearly a century.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- Christ the King
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
Why belong here
Mercyhurst's Campus Ministry offers an unusually rich Catholic spiritual life on a residential campus: a 360-seat Christ the King Chapel as your daily worship home, weekly Sunday Mass (plus a noon Thursday Community Mass), on-campus reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, a chapel choir, and weekly devotional practices like the rosary and lectio divina. Students of any faith can join the OCIA process, attend the signature Carpe Diem retreats, gather for Wednesday Night Fellowship, or attend Student-Athlete Fellowship. Partnerships with Community Engagement, the neighboring St. Luke Parish, and the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse mean Mass intentions, spiritual direction, service small groups, and interfaith activities are all within steps of the dorms — making this a place where faith and reason genuinely flourish together.
Mass times at Mercyhurst College
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (Christ the King Chapel, preceding the 7:30 p.m. Sunday Mass)
- By appointment through Campus Ministry
Adoration times
- Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (Christ the King Chapel, before Sunday Mass)
- Eucharistic Exposition offered periodically by the Catholic Impact student group
Our History
Mercyhurst's story begins in 1831 Dublin, where Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy. Seven Sisters sailed to Pittsburgh in 1843 and gradually spread ministry into Titusville and Erie. In the early 20th century the Sisters recognized an urgent need for a Catholic women's college in northwestern Pennsylvania. Mother M. Borgia Egan, then Mother Superior, personally negotiated land deals, worked as laborer and painter during construction, and even pursued graduate degrees from top American universities so she could form a credentialed faculty. The cornerstone of the original Gothic complex was laid August 25, 1925; the college opened September 20, 1926 with 23 students. The state charter came in 1928 and Middle States accreditation in 1931. In 1931–32, after James O'Neil's death, his widow Orva's $150,000 gift funded the long-awaited Christ the King Chapel and the redesigned O'Neil Tower, completed in about a year. The chapel mural (Stock Lassa / Rambush) and mosaic were added in subsequent years, and the first wedding was celebrated there in 1934. Mercyhurst became coeducational in 1969 under Sr. Carolyn Herrmann, and on [2012] became Mercyhurst University. Today, approaching its centennial in 2026, Mercyhurst is the second-largest Mercy university in America and is pursuing inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1926 — College founded by Sisters of Mercy under Mother M. Borgia Egan
- 1928 — Pennsylvania state charter (October 5)
- 1931 — Middle States accreditation
- 1932-33 — Christ the King Chapel and O'Neil Tower constructed (O'Neil family donation)
- 1932 — Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto built
- 1934 — First wedding in Christ the King Chapel
- 1969 — Becomes coeducational (Feb. 3 Board vote); Sr. Carolyn Herrmann leads the transition
- 2012 — Becomes Mercyhurst University
- 2026 — Centennial year (approaching)
Christ the King Chapel & Architecture
The spiritual and architectural heart of Mercyhurst is the Collegiate Gothic Revival complex designed by Philadelphia architect Francis Ferdinand Durang, Sr., comprising Old Main, the adjoining Christ the King Chapel, and the Norman-style O'Neil Tower with crenellation suggestive of a Medieval castle. O'Neil Tower stands roughly 170 feet and serves as southeast Erie's landmark beacon on the hill. Christ the King Chapel comfortably seats 360, with an 80-foot center aisle 70 inches wide. Its defining artwork is a five-wall mural painted by the Rambush Company of Philadelphia and New York from designs by Swedish artist Stock Lassa, with a later mosaic of Christ the King flanked by figures representing the Sisters of Mercy's teaching, healthcare, and youth ministries and Pope Gregory XVI, who signed the decree approving the Sisters of Mercy as a religious congregation on July 5, 1841. Original plans called for an embellished four-story Gothic tower; the simpler tower form was adopted because of cost constraints during the original construction. Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, less than 100 yards west of Old Main in a sloping wooded area, was completed in 1932 and has long been a spiritual landmark. Mercyhurst is currently applying to the National Register of Historic Places with support from a $25,000 Keystone Historic Preservation grant.
- Style: Collegiate Gothic Revival
- Architect: Francis Ferdinand Durang, Sr. (Philadelphia)
- Chapel seating: 360
- Aisle: 80 feet by 70 inches
- Muralist: Stock Lassa (Swedish) / Rambush Company (Philadelphia & NYC)
- Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto (1932)
- Norman-style O'Neil Tower (~170 ft)
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry serves as the center for spiritual life on the Mercyhurst campus. Rooted in the university's Catholic identity and Mercy tradition, it also reaches out to students from other Christian backgrounds, other religious traditions, and those who do not practice any particular faith. The Campus Ministry Lounge is located on the first floor of the Carolyn Herrmann Student Union and has long been a gathering place with warm hospitality. The team includes a director, assistant director, campus minister, and director of liturgical music, along with many student leaders who welcome all students to worship, pray, and serve.
- Director of Campus Ministry — Jesse Spanogle (since Sept. 5, 2023); 814-824-2934; [email protected]
- Assistant Director — Jenell Patton, M.A.; 814-824-2549; [email protected]
- Campus Minister — Sr. Natalie Rossi, RSM; 814-824-2933; [email protected]
- Director of Liturgical Music — Brittany Barko Krugger, M.M., MT-BC, NMT; 814-824-2634; [email protected]
- Vice President for Mission — Dr. Greg Baker, D.Min.
Retreats, Fellowship & Devotionals
A core piece of Mercyhurst's spiritual life is its retreat programming. The signature Carpe Diem retreats are especially popular and impactful; the Busy Persons Retreat offers a more accessible option; and additional intercollegiate events are scheduled each year. Mid-week fellowship is built around the Wednesday Night Fellowship gathering, where students explore the Christian faith, pray, and worship together. For Catholic students seeking deeper devotion, the Catholic Impact group organizes Eucharistic Exposition. Student-athletes have their own weekly Student-Athlete Fellowship (Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Campus Ministry Lounge). Ongoing devotional practices include the rosary, lectio divina, Eucharistic exposition, bible studies, Art & Meditation gatherings, and weekly e-bulletin reflections.
- Carpe Diem Retreats
- Busy Persons Retreat
- Catholic Impact group (Eucharistic Exposition)
- Wednesday Night Fellowship
- Student-Athlete Fellowship (Tuesdays 7 p.m.)
- Rosary, lectio divina, bible studies
- Art & Meditation gatherings
Liturgical Music & Chapel Choir
Liturgical music at Christ the King Chapel is led by Director of Liturgical Music Brittany Barko Krugger. Student musicians and vocalists of all faiths are invited to join the chapel choir; participation is a longstanding pathway for students to serve the campus worshipping community while developing musical gifts. The Mass Schedule PDF documents the choir's role across the academic year, including special liturgies like the Mass of the Holy Spirit, the Solemnity of Christ the King, Ash Wednesday, the Baccalaureate Mass, and Christmas Eve.
- Director of Liturgical Music — Brittany Barko Krugger
- Chapel Choir (open to all faiths)
- Sacred music for weekly Mass, holy days, and special liturgies
OCIA & Sacraments
For students seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church, Campus Ministry runs the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process throughout the academic year. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered weekly before Sunday Mass and by appointment. Couples (students, alumni, faculty, staff, and recent graduates per Diocese of Erie policy) may be married in Christ the King Chapel, provided one party is Catholic and full Pre-Cana / pre-marital preparation is completed; reservations are recommended 6–12 months in advance and carry a $500 fee. Mass Intentions and Sanctuary Candle dedications, as well as prayer requests, can be submitted through Campus Ministry to support the spiritual life of the campus.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Sacrament of Reconciliation — weekly and by appointment
- Weddings in Christ the King Chapel (Diocese of Erie policy)
- Mass Intentions & Sanctuary Candles
- Pastoral counseling & spiritual direction
Service, Justice & Community Engagement
The Sisters of Mercy vow of service is lived out through Campus Ministry's many community-facing programs. Weekly small groups go into the local Erie community to serve in a variety of ways; student groups focus on peace, justice, and human dignity; and Campus Ministry partners with Community Engagement to coordinate service opportunities across the academic year. Jesse Spanogle's prior tenure at Villa Maria Retreat Center and on multiple boards and committees of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie reflects the team's regional reach. Students can stay current by signing up for the weekly e-bulletin from Campus Ministry.
- Weekly service small groups
- Peace, justice, and human dignity student groups
- Community Engagement partnership
- Weekly Campus Ministry e-bulletin
- Service on Diocesan boards and committees
Getting Involved & Staying Connected
All students are encouraged to participate in Campus Ministry's many servant-leadership roles — from liturgical ministries and choir to retreat team and Bible study leadership. The office also schedules weddings for students, alumni, and staff at Christ the King Chapel. Throughout the academic year, students automatically receive the weekly Campus Ministry e-bulletin. The office maintains an active presence on Instagram (@hurstcampusmin), Facebook, and TikTok, sharing prayer prompts, event invites, and faith reflections. For worship beyond Campus Ministry, the Mercyhurst Area Worship Guide lists nearby parishes and their schedules.
- Weekly Campus Ministry e-bulletin (automatic for students)
- Student leaders serve across all programs
- Instagram: @hurstcampusmin
- Facebook & TikTok channels active
- Mercyhurst University Area Worship Guide for off-campus options
Visit & Contact
The Campus Ministry Lounge, on the first floor of the Carolyn Herrmann Student Union, is open throughout the academic year and serves as the gathering point for prayer, fellowship, and pastoral conversation. Christ the King Chapel is open for private prayer and reflection, including during the day when classes are in session. Inquiries about weddings should be directed to Campus Ministry; reservations must be made at least six months in advance (one year preferred). For spiritual direction, OCIA, or any pastoral need, students are invited to drop by the lounge or contact Director Jesse Spanogle directly.
- Campus Ministry Lounge — Carolyn Herrmann Student Union, 1st floor
- Christ the King Chapel — open for private prayer
- Director phone: 814-824-2934
- Director email: [email protected]
- Mailing address: 501 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16546
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Mother M. Borgia Egan, RSM1926 (founding) through formative years
First president of Mercyhurst College; raised funds, selected the 75-acre site, educated the Sister-faculty; supervised every detail of the founding and early operations.
- Sr. Carolyn Herrmann, RSM, Ph.D.1969 coeducation transition onward
First Mercyhurst president who was not also Mother Superior of the Sisters of Mercy; led the institution through the shift to coeducation.
- Kathleen GetzCurrent (as of 2025)
Current president of Mercyhurst University per the Wikipedia infobox.