About St. Paul University Catholic Center · Madison, Wisconsin
Saint Paul's University Catholic Center (commonly called Saint Paul's Catholic Student Center) is the Catholic campus ministry serving students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1906 as one of the earliest Catholic chaplaincies at a secular American university, it is considered a birthplace of what grew into the worldwide Newman movement. Housed in a striking Italo-Byzantine–style church and student center at 723 State Street that opened on November 12, 2017, Saint Paul's offers daily and Sunday Mass, perpetual-style adoration, sacramental confession, a robust program of Bible studies, small groups, discipleship, retreats, and sacramental formation (OCIA) for undergraduates and graduate students.
- Established
- 1906
- Patron
- Saint Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. David Carrano
- Diocese
- Diocese of Madison
Why belong here
Saint Paul's exists to help UW–Madison students know, love, and serve Jesus Christ — and to carry that faith with them after graduation. With four Sunday Masses, daily Mass and confessions before every Mass, week-long periods of silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and more than 90 Bible studies and small groups meeting weekly, it is built to be a true second home during the formative college years. Alumni consistently report that Saint Paul's gave them the friendships, formation, and confidence to bring their faith into families, parishes, and careers for the rest of their lives.
Mass times at St. Paul University Catholic Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every Mass (offered daily before every scheduled Mass)
Adoration times
- Silent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 8:00pm, followed by 8:30pm Candlelight Mass
- Morning prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament Monday–Friday from 8:00am to 9:15am (Liturgy of the Hours 8:00–8:15am)
Our Story: 119 Years of Catholic Campus Ministry
For the last 119 years, Saint Paul's Catholic Student Center has provided a variety of Catholic collegiate experiences to help students develop genuine friendships and encounter a personal relationship with God. Since its establishment in 1906, Saint Paul's has gone through three different church buildings and has redefined its mission centered on outreach and engagement to UW–Madison students.
- 1880s: Catholics at UW meet in private homes; first gathering Thanksgiving Day 1883 at 'The Melvin Club.'
- 1906: Fr. Henry Hengell becomes first pastor; original Gothic chapel built in 1909.
- 1967–1975: Fr. Henry McGowan oversees the 1968 Brutalist rebuilding.
- 1980–1990: Fr. Steve Umhoefer stabilizes the parish.
- 1996–2002: Fr. Steve Kortendick and chaplain Faye Darnall create student-leadership programs.
- 2006–2023: Fr. Eric Nielsen leads the new Italo-Byzantine Student Center and Church (grand opening Nov. 12, 2017).
- Beginning 2025: Fr. David Carrano becomes current Pastor / Executive Director.
Mission and Vision
Saint Paul's exists to help students know, love, and serve Jesus Christ. It fosters a prayer life that can be carried with them wherever they go after graduation. The mission statement frames three touchpoints: forming leaders with Faith, for Lifelong Impact, rooted in a Four-Year Investment on the UW–Madison campus.
- To know Christ, to love Christ, and to serve Christ.
- Reach students during the pivotal college years with the Catholic Faith in an attractive and accessible way.
- Provide a 'home' during their time at UW–Madison.
- Form 'virtuous, joyful leaders' who bring the Gospel into families, parishes, communities, and careers.
Pastoral Staff
Saint Paul's is served by a pastor, a parochial vicar, and a large professional staff supporting operations, sacred music, campus ministry, housing, development, and front-desk ministry, together with Saint Paul's Interns and FOCUS missionaries.
- Fr. David Carrano — Pastor / Executive Director ([email protected])
- Fr. Enan Zelinski — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Carson Lipinski — Director of Sacred Music ([email protected])
- Michael McShane — Director of Operations ([email protected])
- Andrew Hall — Director of Campus Apostolate
- Christopher Trafton — Director of Housing ([email protected])
- Brooke Ruhle — Operations Assistant ([email protected])
- Chandler Sage — Front Desk ([email protected])
- Camryn Ellington — Development Team
- Saint Paul's Interns and FOCUS Missionaries
Student Life: Bible Studies, Small Groups, and Discipleship
Saint Paul's reports more than 90 Bible studies and small groups meeting weekly, including dedicated freshman small groups. All students are invited to grow in faith through 1:1 Discipleship with Saint Paul's Interns and FOCUS missionaries.
- 90+ weekly Bible Studies
- 250 freshmen in Small Groups
- 299 Students in Discipleship
- FOCUS Missionaries available to connect students to a Bible study
Weekly Events and Retreats
The Student Center offers recurring weekly events that any student may attend, alongside larger retreats and formation opportunities throughout the year.
- Prayer + Coffee — Mon–Fri 8:00am–10:00am
- Newman Dinner — Thursdays 6:00pm
- AO (speaker series) — Thursdays 7:00pm
- Retreats (multiple offered through the year)
Faith Formation: OCIA and Sacramental Preparation
Saint Paul's offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) for those entering the Catholic Church, with recordings made available as a podcast. In 2025 the parish confirmed 88 and baptized 25 — a snapshot of the sacramental life flourishing on campus.
- OCIA formation (recordings as podcast)
- Baptism preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- First Reconciliation and First Communion pathways
- Spiritual Direction
Building, Architecture, and Getting Here
The current Saint Paul's Student Center and Church is a stately Italo-Byzantine composition of striped red brick and white cast stone, designed by RDG Planning & Design in association with Matthew Alderman Studios and grand-opened on November 12, 2017, replacing the 1968 Brutalist complex. The chapel is entered from State Street through double doors, with confessionals flanking the entrance (green light = open, red light = occupied).
- Address: 723 State Street, Madison, WI 53703-1087
- Phone: (608) 258-3140
- Email: [email protected]
- On the edge of UW–Madison campus in downtown Madison
- Summer building hours posted on the homepage
Alumni, Donors, and the Annual Mission
Operating at a $2.2 million annual budget, Saint Paul's relies overwhelmingly on the generosity of alumni and off-campus benefactors — about 95% of funding — since students can only contribute around 1% of the budget each year.
- Alumni-giving-driven operating model
- Advancement Office at 723 State Street, Madison, WI 53703
- Graduate and Young Professional registration form offered
- Give online and by phone via the Advancement Office
Other Ministries and Outreach
Beyond the core student ministry, Saint Paul's maintains sacramental and devotional programs, as well as outreach to graduate students and young professionals.
- Graduate and Young Professional ministry
- FOCUS Missionaries serving UW–Madison
- Sacramental and spiritual support staff
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Henry Hengell1906–1936
First pastor; built the original 1909 Gothic chapel at 723 State Street.
- Fr. Henry McGowan1967–1975
Charismatic pastor who oversaw the 1968 Brutalist rebuilding.
- Fr. Steve Umhoefer1980–1990
Brought stability to the parish in the 1980s.
- Fr. Steve Kortendick1996–2002
Innovated student leadership and programs with chaplain Faye Darnall.
- Fr. Randy Timmermanafter 2002
Reestablished Saint Paul's as a student parish.
- Fr. Eric Nielsen2006–2023
Led construction of the new Italo-Byzantine Student Center and Church, grand opening November 12, 2017.
- Fr. David CarranoBeginning 2025
Current Pastor/Executive Director; UW-Madison class of 2004; ordained for Diocese of Madison 2010.