About St. Robert Bellarmine · Cincinnati, Ohio
Bellarmine Chapel (St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel) is a Catholic parish in the Jesuit Parish Family of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, located at the heart of Xavier University. Founded in 1927 to serve the neighborhood around Xavier, the parish draws parishioners from over sixty zip codes across Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana. Rooted in the Ignatian spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, it is known for its strong lay leadership, commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, and an extensive social-justice outreach, including a St. Vincent de Paul conference. The chapel itself was built in 1962 and remodeled and expanded in 1998 and 2004.
- Established
- 1927
- Patron
- St. Robert Bellarmine
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
Bellarmine Chapel offers a Catholic community rooted in the Ignatian tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, with deep ties to Xavier University and a livestreamed liturgy that connects parishioners across more than sixty zip codes in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. It is a parish where lay leadership is fostered, where the Eucharist is central, and where Catholic Social Teaching is lived out through ministries such as the St. Vincent de Paul conference. Members find spiritual formation, daily and Sunday Mass on campus, and a welcoming, inclusive community committed to justice, accompaniment of the young, and care for our common home.
Mass times at St. Robert Bellarmine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment
About Bellarmine Chapel
Bellarmine Chapel (St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel) is a Catholic parish within the Jesuit Parish Family of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, located at the heart of Xavier University. It serves the campus community and parishioners from over sixty zip codes across Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana. As a Jesuit parish, it is an integral part of the Society of Jesus, working together in diverse ministries to guide others toward God, support the marginalized, accompany the youth, and care for our common home.
- Part of the Jesuit Parish Family of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
- Located at the heart of Xavier University
- Draws parishioners from over sixty zip codes in OH, KY, and IN
- Rooted in the Ignatian spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Parish History
The parish was initially formed in April of 1927 to serve the neighborhood community in the proximity of Xavier University. Before the construction of Bellarmine Chapel, the parish shared space in the university's administration building for events and liturgies. The present chapel was built in 1962 and remodeled in 1998; an addition in 2004 added office space and an expanded narthex with a baptistry.
- Founded: April 1927
- Pre-chapel era: shared Xavier University's administration building
- Chapel built: 1962
- Remodeled: 1998
- Addition (offices and expanded narthex with baptistry): 2004
Mission, Values, and Vision
Bellarmine Chapel is a Catholic faith community striving to live out the teachings and example of Jesus Christ in the spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Nourished at the table of the Eucharist, parishioners are sent on a mission to make disciples, serve those in need, work for justice, and welcome all with love. The parish holds to values such as the inherent dignity of every person, diversity, service, care for creation, preferential love for the poor, and inclusion.
- Living the Gospel
- Eucharistic Community
- Ignatian Spirituality
- Radical Hospitality & Inclusivity
- Justice & Service
- Building Relationships
- Future Orientation & Growth
Jesuit Parish Family Principles
As a Jesuit parish, Bellarmine follows the Spiritual Exercises and discernment of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and trusts that the power of God will make the parish's efforts successful as lay leaders and Jesuits collaborate. The parish emphasizes continual faith formation across all generations and helping young people form strong relationships and a hope-filled future.
- Following the spiritual pathway of St. Ignatius, especially the Spiritual Exercises and discernment
- Strong connection to the wider Catholic Church and other faith communities
- Lay leaders and Jesuits collaborating in the work and decisions of the parish
- Continual faith formation across all generations
- Accompanying young people to form strong relationships and a hope-filled future
Faith in Action / Outreach
The parish is deeply committed to promoting lay leadership and has a strong tradition of action and outreach inspired by Catholic Social Teaching. The Bellarmine Conference of St. Vincent de Paul provides assistance in food, rent, utility bills, medication, clothing, and furniture, and the conference carries out home visits to those in need.
- Bellarmine Conference of St. Vincent de Paul (food, rent, utility bills, medication, clothing, furniture assistance)
- St. Vincent de Paul Home Visits
- Outreach inspired by Catholic Social Teaching and the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus
Facilities
Besides the chapel itself, Bellarmine Chapel has a Parish Center on the Xavier University campus with staff offices and group meeting spaces. A 2004 addition to the chapel added office space and an expanded narthex with a baptistry.
- Bellarmine Chapel (built 1962, remodeled 1998)
- 2004 addition: offices and expanded narthex with baptistry
- Parish Center on Xavier University campus with staff offices and meeting spaces
Visit & Contact
Bellarmine Chapel is located at the heart of Xavier University. Inquiries can be made by phone or through the parish website.
- Address: 3801 Ledgewood Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 45207-2211
- Phone: (513) 745-3398
- Website: https://bellarminechapel.org/