Catholic Student Center at USF

The Catholic Student Center at the University of South Florida in Tampa was dedicated on September 24, 1967 by Most Rev. Joseph Hurley, Archbishop of St. Augustine. Archbishop Hurley initiated the building project in order to provide Catholic students and faculty a place to worship together and grow in their understanding of the faith. Prior to the construction of the Chapel and offices located at 13005 N 50th Street, Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Temple Terrace was responsible for Catholic campus ministry at the University.

The physical plant of the Catholic Student Center was designed with a large social hall and a smaller Chapel space as Catholic campus ministry in the 1960's put an emphasis on social events. The social hall was modified in 1983 to serve as a Chapel for Sunday Liturgy. The original Chapel space is now used for daily Liturgy and as a cry room on Sunday. The current configuration of the Chapel provides seating for 250 people at each of three Sunday Liturgies.

The congregation at the Catholic Student Center numbers about 500 people, and is composed of undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff of the University and families from the neighborhoods surrounding the University campus.

The Catholic Student Center is the spiritual home of the Catholic Student Union, a student organization chartered through the University’s Student Affairs department. The Catholic Student Union organizes a wide range of activities through the course of the academic year. The students’ activities include retreats, social events, community service projects and faith formation programs.

The Catholic Student Center also offers religious instruction and faith formation for faculty, staff and their families, as well as instructions for those who would like to become Catholic.