About St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center · Lawrence, Kansas
St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center (often called 'KU Catholic' or 'the Catholic Church at KU') is the Catholic chaplaincy serving the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Founded in 1958 as a mission of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the center exists to guide and form students, faculty, and staff through the intellectual, moral, liturgical, and spiritual traditions of the Catholic faith. Its deepest desire is to send out 'free and full disciples of Jesus Christ capable of the greatest vocations.' The center is guided by the Archbishop in conjunction with a Board of Directors and today ministers to more than 6,000 Catholic students at KU through over 45 programs of theological education and spiritual formation.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. Lawrence (deacon and martyr)
- Rector
- Fr. Luke Doyle (Director and Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
St. Lawrence is the Catholic home at the University of Kansas — a place where Jayhawk students, faculty, and local Catholic families encounter Christ through daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic adoration, Reconciliation, OCIA (becoming Catholic), and more than 45 programs of theological education and spiritual formation. A dedicated chaplain, permanent deacon, FOCUS and SPO missionaries, campus ministers, a director of sacred music, and a permanent community of about 142 Catholic families walk with students through faith, fellowship, and formation. Whether you are a KU student discerning your vocation, a professor looking for spiritual accompaniment, or a Lawrence-area Catholic seeking an active parish life, St. Lawrence welcomes you.
Mass times at St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:00–9:00 PM (before the 9 PM Mass)
- Monday–Thursday: 4:15–5:15 PM (before the 5:15 PM Mass)
- Friday: 11:10 AM–12:10 PM (before the 12:10 PM Mass)
- By appointment: email [email protected]
Adoration times
- Sunday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Saturday: closed
- Note: Adoration is offered 60 minutes before Masses marked with an asterisk (*) on the schedule.
Our Story — From 1958 to Today
St. Lawrence began in 1958 as a mission of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas to serve Catholic students at the University of Kansas. Before 1958, Catholic KU students were served by St. John the Evangelist parish in Lawrence. The Center was first staffed by Benedictine priests from Canon City, Colorado, then Atchison, Kansas, until 1977. Fr. Vince Krische, arriving in 1977, spearheaded the campaign for a chapel and student center; Archbishop Ignatius J. Strecker dedicated that building on September 6, 1986. Major renovations in 2019 added a new welcome center, plaza, and café. Today more than 6,000 Catholic students attend KU, and St. Lawrence serves them through daily Mass, adoration, confession, OCIA, formation programs, and 45+ ministries.
- Founded 1958
- Benedictine chaplains until 1977
- Fr. John Rossiter (Archdiocesan), 1972–1977
- Fr. Vince Krische launched chapel campaign
- Chapel dedicated September 6, 1986 by Archbishop Strecker
- 2019 renovation: welcome center, fireside café, plaza
Mission, Vision & Charism
St. Lawrence exists to guide and form those she encounters through the intellectual, moral, liturgical, and spiritual traditions of the Catholic faith. Her vision is to form students to radically know Jesus as a person and stand in their God-given identity, and to see a cultural awakening of freedom through the gospel witness of Jayhawks. The center's charism values — the specific ways the Holy Spirit has worked in the ministry — are: The Art of Relationship, Dare to Stand Out, Form Fullness, Culture of Home, and Nurture Wonder.
- Guided by the Archbishop with a Board of Directors
- Charism values: Art of Relationship, Dare to Stand Out, Form Fullness, Culture of Home, Nurture Wonder
- Annual report available on the website
Our Staff
St. Lawrence is served by a chaplain, a permanent deacon, an executive assistant, formation and mission staff, sacred liturgy/music staff, FOCUS and SPO missionaries, and advancement/operations staff.
- Fr. Luke Doyle — Director and Chaplain ([email protected])
- Deacon Michael Murray — Permanent Deacon
- Holly Myers — Executive Assistant to the Director & Chaplain
- Drew Kanne — Director of Formation ([email protected])
- Allisyn Petty — Director of Mission Expression ([email protected])
- Matthew Griesemer — Campus Minister
- Matt Kemnitz — Chief Operating Officer ([email protected])
- Reed Malleck — FOCUS Team Director
- Mark Wertin — Facilities Manager
- Misty Stephenson — Operations Manager
- Miranda Baniewicz — Marketing, Communications, and Events Coordinator
- Caroline Kanne — Advancement Officer ([email protected])
- Cris Denning — Finance Director
- John Deahl — Director of Sacred Liturgy & Music ([email protected])
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at St. Lawrence is the process for KU students and other adults who want to learn about and enter the Catholic Church. Meetings are held almost every Tuesday during the school year from 6:00 to 7:15 PM, preceded by the 5:15 PM Mass. Participants explore 24 different Catholic topics, hear peers' testimony, and personalize the journey with sponsors or companions. Adults are typically baptized at the Easter Vigil, but already-baptized Christians are received into full communion throughout the year at any Mass.
- Tuesdays 6:00–7:15 PM during the school year
- Attended 5:15 PM Mass before class encouraged
- 24 Catholic topics explored
- Email [email protected]
Sacraments
St. Lawrence celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Reconciliation is widely available with extended hours before each Mass and by appointment. Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion for KU students and other adults are received through the OCIA program; infants, children, and adolescents are presented by parents/sponsors via request forms. Catholic weddings are celebrated at St. Lawrence, with marriage preparation involving lead couples and Fr. Luke. Anointing of the Sick (and Last Rites) are available on request.
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Baptism (OCIA for adults; request form for infants/children)
- Confirmation
- First Communion (Eucharist)
- Marriage — Catholic weddings at St. Lawrence
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites
- Holy Orders — start with appointment with Fr. Luke; vocations director Fr. Dan Morris
Pastoral Care & Spiritual Direction
Students, faculty, and community members can meet with a member of the ministry staff for pastoral care — for situations that feel overwhelming, isolating, or confusing. Staff include Fr. Luke Doyle, Alli Petty (Good Company Campus Minister), Drew Kanne (New Student Director), Madison Abbott (Ad Astra Director), Dr. Jesse Henkensiefken (Director of Sacred Music), and Stacy Cretors (Spiritual Director). Meetings are scheduled online; no one has to walk life's hardest moments alone.
- Book a meeting via the Pastoral Care page
- Spiritual Direction with Stacy Cretors and others
- Good Company, Ad Astra, New Student, Sacred Music pastoral areas
Sacred Music & Liturgy
St. Lawrence places great importance on the musical and liturgical life of the Church. The team is led by John Deahl (Director of Sacred Liturgy & Music) and Dr. Jesse Henkensiefken (Director of Sacred Music), a Kansas native cellist and conductor who also serves as Festival Conductor for Heartland Chamber Music and Executive Director of the Mid-America Performing Arts Alliance. Principal Organist Aidan Hill and Dr. Tatiana Tessman (Organist & Collaborative Pianist, Artistic Director of Mid-America Performing Arts Alliance, plays at the 11 AM and 5 PM Masses) round out the team. Use of the chapel's organ and piano is arranged through the Director of Sacred Music.
- Dr. Jesse Henkensiefken — Director of Sacred Music
- John Deahl — Director of Sacred Liturgy & Music
- Aidan Hill — Principal Organist
- Dr. Tatiana Tessman — Organist & Collaborative Pianist (11 AM & 5 PM Masses)
Missionary Teams — FOCUS & SPO
St. Lawrence is blessed to be served by two Catholic missionary organizations that disciple students on campus: FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) and SPO (Saint Paul Outreach).
- FOCUS: Reed Malleck (Team Director), Brianna Shaffer, Sara Grosser
- SPO: Jackie Ballard, Nolan Bemiss (Men's Chapter Lead), Olivia Samper (Women's Chapter Lead)
Facilities
St. Lawrence's building, dedicated in 1986 and renovated in 2019, offers a chapel (325 seats), social hall (up to 220), one of the few reservable kitchens near campus, a fireside café and outdoor plaza (up to 80), conference room (up to 18), classroom, and living room (up to 20). The adjacent parking garage holds 175 vehicles (7'6" height limit). Reservations are available especially to those associated with KU whose event aligns with the mission; renters must provide $1M liability insurance (or purchase a $95 Catholic Mutual policy).
- Chapel — 325 seats
- Social Hall — up to 220 guests
- Kitchen — serves up to 200
- Fireside Café & Outdoor Plaza — up to 80
- Conference Room — up to 18
- Classroom and Living Room — up to 20
- Parking garage — 175 vehicles, 7'6" height limit
- $1M liability insurance required (or $95 Catholic Mutual policy)
Contact & Location
St. Lawrence is located on the University of Kansas campus at 1631 Crescent Road, Lawrence, KS 66044. The office can be reached at (785) 843-0357 or [email protected]. Mass times, confession, adoration, and chapel hours are listed above; please refer to the website's Mass page for changes when KU is not in session and for Holy Day schedules.
- Address: 1631 Crescent Road, Lawrence, KS 66044
- Phone: (785) 843-0357
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://kucatholic.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Rossiter1972–1977
Archdiocesan priest assigned to assist alongside the Benedictine chaplain during the transition years.
- Fr. Vince Krische1977–
Came to St. Lawrence in 1977 and led the campaign to build the current chapel and student center, dedicated September 6, 1986.
- Fr. Luke Doyle2024–present
Current Director and Chaplain, ordained in 2021; previously served the U.S. Church as a preacher during the National Eucharistic Revival.