PLATTEVILLE — Saturday, March 14, was an important moment for St. Augustine University Parish in Platteville.

That day saw the groundbreaking for a new church and Newman Center.

Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison and project leaders were on hand to start the next phase of the project.

Project need

The need for a new structure came about after many blessings.

St. Augustine University Parish serves Catholics who attend UW-Platteville.

The campus ministry, called Pioneer Catholic, encourages participation in the sacraments, offers Bible studies, hosts weekly events, and provides other spiritual support to both sustain Catholic students and attract others to come to know Christ while in college.

In the last 11 years, there have been 17 seminarians who have come from St. Augustine University Parish.

Hundreds of students attend Sunday Mass and participate in Bible studies, and there are almost 50 weekly Adoration hours.

However, partly because of that success, the space they currently use has become insufficient.

The current building, containing the church and Newman Center, is not large enough to serve the students.

This need also provides an opportunity — building a new church is a chance to bring more beauty to campus and provide a silent but profound witness to God.

Discussions and fundraising efforts have been underway for years.

A lot of passion for the project came from Fr. John Del Priore, SJS, who served at St. Augustine University Parish and had a desire to improve the Newman Center and to minister to students.

This year’s groundbreaking begins the second major construction phase of the project.

The first phase of the project, which is already completed, was an answer to students wanting safe, faith-based housing.

The Newman Heights apartment building was built in 2018, and it is operating at full capacity.

The building has been for many students a place of genuine friendship, spiritual growth, and human flourishing, a true home while on campus.

The second part of the project, the building of a new church and Newman Center, is now beginning.

The vision is for the new building to serve the various spiritual needs of the ministry, while also being architecturally and aesthetically timeless.

The plans for the building, which is anticipated to be 33,732 square feet, feature a larger church designed with beautiful Gothic arches, a great hall and kitchen for the students’ weekly Newman dinners, more effective spaces to serve ministry needs, and comfortable space for people to gather, including a coffeeshop, which is always a good way to draw college students into a building.

Elegant and enduring masonry construction is intended to create a space that can serve students far into the future.

Fr. Eric Nielsen, who was named pastor of St. Augustine University Parish last year, took up the work in progress that Father Del Priore had begun.

He was able to shepherd the project to the next major step.

Groundbreaking event

The event on March 14 was a chance to take photos with various groups, such as donors, students, and community representatives, as well as the ceremonial dirt turnover.

Two companies are involved in the project, CG Schmidt Construction and Plunkett Raysich Architects.

As well as being part of the project, CG Schmidt donated preconstruction and fundraising services.

Students have been hearing about this project for years, but seeing the old building come down is an emotional moment.

“It’s a bittersweet transition,” said Grace Lasch, a senior and former Pioneer Catholic officer.

At the same time, “Students are very excited to see a project that we’ve witnessed for a long time finally come to fruition . . . We’ve lived in the reality for years of folding chairs at Mass, and people squeezed in the back. It’s exciting to know that people will have a truly beautiful space to go.”  

It will certainly be a beautiful opportunity for future students.

Derek Furrer, development director at St. Augustine University Parish, knows how impactful those years of a student’s life can be.

“Having a place where they can grow in their faith and be part of a strong community makes all the difference. That kind of experience can impact generations to come,” he said.