About St. John Catholic Church and Student Center · East Lansing, Michigan
St. John Catholic Church and Student Center (officially Saint John the Evangelist Parish, also known as St. John Student Parish) is a Roman Catholic parish in East Lansing, Michigan, located just off the campus of Michigan State University at 327 M.A.C. Avenue — about 1.5 blocks north of the MSU Union. In 2009 the Diocese of Lansing merged the parish into neighboring St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, designating the church building as Saint John Student Oratory and continuing the campus-ministry mission under the unified St. Thomas Aquinas Parish leadership. Today St. John functions as the student center parish for MSU, serving thousands of Catholic students, faculty, staff, and East Lansing residents with daily and Sunday Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, small-group ministry, and a renowned music program.
- Established
- 1957 (erected December 24, 1957; dedicated 1958)
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Fr. Corey Bilodeau
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing (since 2009, Saint John Student Oratory is attached to Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish within the unified parish of East Lansing Catholics)
Why belong here
St. John offers a vibrant Catholic home in the heart of MSU's campus where students, faculty, staff, and neighbors encounter Christ through daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and Reconciliation. The parish nurtures authentic community through small 'Cor' faith groups for every class year and interest — from FreshMin freshmen to athletes, graduate students, men's and women's accountability groups, a Young Adult ministry (GSYP), and a lively Young Adult/Grad-Student community — along with faith formation for adults and children, RCIA/OCIA inquiry, and a nationally recognized music program. Add to that its location one and a half blocks from the MSU Union, free Sunday parking, and a chapel dedicated to St. John the Evangelist with a sanctuary corpus by the sculptor of Sparty himself, and it is the natural Catholic home for anyone in the Spartan community.
Mass times at St. John Catholic Church and Student Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Tuesday 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (during school year)
- Thursday 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (during school year)
Adoration times
- Monday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Tuesday 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (during school year)
- Thursday 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (during school year)
About St. John Catholic Church and Student Center
St. John Catholic Church and Student Center (Saint John the Evangelist Parish) is a Roman Catholic parish in East Lansing, Michigan, just off the campus of Michigan State University at 327 M.A.C. Avenue — 1.5 blocks north of the MSU Union. Its mission is to be 'a Roman Catholic parish in a university community, joining students of all ages, joining people from all walks of life and from all corners of the world through Jesus Christ, our Lord,' and its vision is to nurture spiritual growth as a Eucharistic people through worship, evangelization, stewardship, education, service, justice, outreach, and hospitality. In 2009 the parish was merged into neighboring St. Thomas Aquinas Parish but continues to operate as Saint John Student Oratory serving the MSU Catholic community.
- Mission: a Roman Catholic parish joining students of all ages and people from all walks of life through Jesus Christ.
- Vision: as a Eucharistic people, nurture spiritual growth through worship, evangelization, stewardship, education, service, justice, outreach, and hospitality.
- Part of the unified East Lansing Catholics parishes (St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, with St. John as Student Oratory).
- Diocese of Lansing.
History of St. John the Evangelist Parish
Catholic student life at Michigan Agricultural College dates to 1924. In 1933 Fr. Cecil Winters became chaplain of the Newman Club and, on October 1, 1940, founding pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. His successor, Fr. Jerome MacEachin, presided over a Newman Club that became the nation's largest by 1950 and launched fundraising for a dedicated student parish in 1954. The Lansing Diocese erected Saint John Student Parish on December 24, 1957, with Fr. Robert Kavanaugh as its first pastor; the parish was dedicated in 1958. On June 30, 2009, the Diocese merged St. John into St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, retaining the church building as Saint John Student Oratory.
- 1924 — Catholic student organization founded at Michigan Agricultural College.
- 1933 — Fr. Cecil Winters serves as Newman Club chaplain.
- October 1, 1940 — Fr. Winters becomes founding pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.
- 1950 — Newman Club grows to be the largest in the nation.
- 1954 — Fr. Jerome MacEachin begins fundraising for a student parish.
- 1956 — Ground broken for the new student parish.
- December 24, 1957 — Lansing Diocese erects Saint John Student Parish.
- 1958 — Parish dedicated; Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame, presents an oil painting of Cardinal John Henry Newman.
- June 30, 2009 — Diocese of Lansing decree merges St. John into St. Thomas Aquinas; St. John church becomes Saint John Student Oratory.
Worship Space and Sacred Art
The worship space of St. John has been deliberately designed to acknowledge its university setting while expressing timeless Catholic tradition. The classical altar, ambo, and font reflect the academic environment, while substantial warm-wood finishes bring out the vibrancy of the worshipping assembly. Hard floor and wall surfaces create the acoustics that have made St. John's music program renowned. The most striking artistic element is the Peruvian mahogany corpus in the sanctuary, sculpted by MSU faculty member Leonard Jungwirth — the same artist who created the Sparty statue — and completed in time for the parish's 1958 dedication.
- Stone eagle of St. John the Evangelist engraved on the building's front.
- Inscribed ideals: 'Sanctity' and 'Wisdom.'
- Peruvian mahogany corpus sculpted by Leonard Jungwirth (1958).
- Classical altar, ambo, and font.
- Hard surfaces chosen for musical acoustics.
Campus Ministry and Small Groups
St. John Student Center exists 'to help the students, faculty, and staff of Michigan State University encounter God in a transformative Catholic culture founded on the sacraments, prayer, and authentic community.' Campus Ministry is led by Director Anna Stankewitz '18 and Associate Campus Minister Joshua Janda. The flagship small-group ministry is the 'Cor Groups' — faith-sharing communities meeting in residence halls and across campus for freshmen, upperclassmen, athletes, graduate students, and more.
- Director of Campus Ministry: Anna Stankewitz '18.
- Associate Campus Minister: Joshua Janda ([email protected] / 517-337-9778 Ext. 302).
- Cor Groups: FreshMin (Mon 7 PM, Multicultural Center 2025), North (Wed 6:15 PM, the Union), South (Mon 7 PM, Case 335B), Brody (Wed 7 PM, Brody 175), Athletes (Mon 8:30 PM, Smith Center), Upperclass Women (Tue 6:30 PM, St. John Women's Lounge), Graduate students.
- Rosary & Lectio Divina: Mon & Wed 3:00 PM in the Library.
Young Adult, Men's, and Women's Ministry
Beyond the Cor Groups, St. John hosts vibrant young adult, men's, and women's ministries designed to build authentic Catholic community and accountability. The GSYP (Grad Students & Young Professionals) gathers each Wednesday beginning with Evening Prayer at 6:15 PM. The Warriors Men's Group and the Women's Group meet Wednesdays at 9:00 PM at St. John, preceded by the Rosary at 8:40 PM.
- GSYP — Grad Students & Young Professionals (Wed 6:15 PM Evening Prayer at St. John).
- Warriors Men's Group — Wed 9:00 PM at St. John (Rosary 8:40 PM).
- Women's Group — Wed 9:00 PM at St. John (Rosary 8:40 PM).
- Contact: [email protected]; text 'GSYP' to 517.306.4204 for updates.
Faith Formation and Becoming Catholic
St. John, together with the unified East Lansing Catholic parishes, offers lifelong faith formation for children and adults. Religious Education for Pre-K through 7th grade is led by Director Debbie Lewis, while adult faith formation, the inquiry process, and 'Becoming Catholic' are coordinated by Jen Brown. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) provides a path into the Church for catechumens and candidates, supported by FORMED digital faith formation and a full library of USCCB resources.
- Director of Religious Education (Pre–7th): Debbie Lewis — 517-351-7215 x 206.
- Director of Adult Faith Formation / Inquiry / Becoming Catholic: Jen Brown — 517-351-7215 Ext. 329.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) resources available for catechumens, candidates, sponsors, and catechists.
- FORMED Digital Faith Formation subscription.
Music and Liturgy
St. John is known for its renowned music program, supported by hard floor and wall surfaces in the worship space that promote excellent acoustics. Music Ministry is led by Director of Music Teresa DuSell, while the broader liturgical life of the parish is coordinated by Director of Liturgy Patrick Paddock. The Televised Outreach Mass, broadcast from St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturdays at 4:30 PM, extends the parish's worship to the homebound and wider community.
- Director of Music: Teresa DuSell — 517-351-7215 Ext. 109.
- Director of Liturgy: Patrick Paddock — 517-337-9778 Ext. 113.
- Televised Outreach Mass — Saturdays 4:30 PM (online).
- Renowned music program supported by acoustics-friendly worship space.
ChurchIns: Live-In Service Program
ChurchIns are male MSU students who live rent-free at St. John in exchange for up to 10 hours per week of service around the building, assisting with security and facilities maintenance. They are supervised by the Director of Campus Ministry. The program is a distinctive way for students to deepen their faith while forming community in the heart of the parish.
- Live rent-free at St. John Student Center.
- Up to 10 hours per week of service (security, facilities maintenance).
- Supervised by the Director of Campus Ministry.
- Open to current male MSU students.
Outreach and Parish Life
Beyond liturgy and formation, the parish invites parishioners to share their gifts through service, hospitality, and pro-life outreach. The Walking with Moms group (a parish-based pro-life ministry) offers support to women in difficult pregnancies. Parishioners serve as greeters, ushers, choir members, religious-education catechists, landscapers, and companions for those joining the Church. Catholic Spartan Lunch brings the community together over a shared meal.
- Walking with Moms — call 517.582.0970 or email [email protected].
- Catholic Spartan Lunch.
- Parish opportunities: choir, usher, religious education, landscaping, hospitality.
- Senior Night and Men's Night parish events.
- Priesthood Discernment Group (PDG).
Clergy and Parish Leadership
St. John is served by a robust team of clergy, deacons, and lay staff under the unified East Lansing Catholic parishes. The pastor is Fr. Corey Bilodeau; parochial vicars are Fr. Gordon Reigle and Fr. Riley O'Shea '15; deacons are James Kasprzak and David Zygmontowicz. Operations and finance are led by Director of Operations & Advancement Sara Pettit and Director of Finance Judy Crabtree '86, with administrative support from Mariann Niznak (Administrative Assistant / Sacramental Records Custodian) and Jennifer Thelen (Database Administrator).
- Pastor: Fr. Corey Bilodeau — 517-351-7215.
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Gordon Reigle — 517-337-9778.
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Riley O'Shea '15 — 517-351-7215.
- Deacon James Kasprzak.
- Deacon David Zygmontowicz.
- Director of Operations & Advancement: Sara Pettit — 517-351-7215 Ext. 105.
- Director of Finance: Judy Crabtree '86 — 517-351-7215 Ext. 107.
- Administrative Assistant / Sacramental Records Custodian: Mariann Niznak — 517-351-7215 Ext. 106.
- Database Administrator: Jennifer Thelen — 517-351-7215 Ext. 108.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Cecil Winters1940 (founding pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas; chaplain of MSU Newman Club from 1933)
Founded the predecessor parish that focused on Catholic students of Michigan Agricultural College.
- Fr. Jerome MacEachin ('Fr. Mac')succeeded Fr. Winters (mid-20th century)
Launched fundraising for a new student parish in 1954; oversaw the largest Newman Club in the nation by 1950.
- Fr. Robert Kavanaugh1957–
First pastor of Saint John Student Parish; assigned when the parish was erected on December 24, 1957 and dedicated in 1958.