Progress: 2 Million
Target: 5 Million
*These designs are conceptual and subject to change
A Mission That Has Outgrown its Space
For more than fifty years, students have encountered Jesus Christ at St. John XXIII — through the sacraments, authentic friendship, and late-night conversations. Ram Catholic has grown beyond what our walls can hold. Now, the land is ready and the moment is here: to build a new church and student center that will stand as a visible, beautiful presence at the very edge of Colorado State University's campus.
Built for Souls, Not Just SpaceThis is not simply a building project. The new church will seat more than 500 with a choir loft and 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration chapel. The attached Catholic Student Center will offer study spaces and gathering rooms for Bible study and campus ministry. Together, these spaces will form a spiritual home where every student who walks by South Shields Street will know, without a word spoken, that Christ is here and waiting for them.
*These designs are conceptual and subject to change
*These designs are conceptual and subject to change
More Than Halfway ThereMore than $15 million of the $22 million needed has already been committed — through a lead gift, the sale of parish land, and the sacrificial generosity of donors who believe in this mission. The Let Us Build Something Beautiful for God Campaign is raising the final $7 million to bring this vision to completion. Will you be part of what God is building here at CSU?
Frequently Asked Quetsions
The Something Beautiful for God Campaign is a capital campaign to fund the construction of a new church, a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration chapel, and a Catholic Student Center on the campus of St. John XXIII Catholic Church, home of Ram Catholic at Colorado State University. This project will create a visible, beautiful home for Catholic life at the edge of CSU's campus — a place where students, parishioners, and the wider community can encounter Christ for generations to come.
St. John XXIII has outgrown its current facility, and the need for a permanent, beautiful worship space has never been more urgent. The time is right because the financial foundation is already substantially in place. With a $10 million land sale to a student housing developer and a $5 million lead gift already secured, more than two-thirds of the $22 million total project cost is already committed. The campaign now seeks to raise the remaining $7 million to complete what God has made possible.
This campaign is built on a solid financial and spiritual foundation. The land sale proceeds and the secured lead gift mean the project has real momentum before a single campaign gift is made. Construction will not begin until sufficient funding is in place, and the parish is committed to regular, transparent updates throughout the process.
The project includes three primary components:
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A new Gothic-style church seating over 500 people, with a choir loft and a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration chapel
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A Catholic Student Center featuring study spaces, a lounge, and flexible spaces for Bible studies, campus ministry events, and fellowship
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A lower-level multipurpose space with a social hall seating 300, a commercial kitchen, offices for clergy and staff, and small group meeting rooms
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The new church and student center will be built on the approximately 1.5 acres of the current parish property that St. John XXIII is retaining. The location will place the church visibly along South Shields Street — a dramatic and unmistakable presence at the edge of CSU's campus.
The new church is being designed in a Gothic-inspired style, with traditional elements including a choir loft, a narthex, and a dedicated Adoration chapel. The vision is for a space that is unmistakably Catholic, beautiful, and built to last — worthy of the sacred liturgy and the mission it will serve.
The parish is deeply committed to maintaining usage of the church and student center throughout the construction process. Since the new building will be located at the corner of University and Shields, we will be able to stay in the current building until it’s time to move
The total estimated project cost is approximately $22 million. Funding comes from three sources:
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$10 million from the sale of approximately four acres of parish land to a student housing developer
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$5 million from a secured lead gift
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$7 million from the Something Beautiful for God Campaign
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The decision to sell a portion of the property is a strategic, mission-driven one. The land sale provides the financial foundation that makes this project possible — without incurring debt or placing an unrealistic burden on the parish community. The remaining 1.5 acres is sufficient to build a church and student center that will serve St. John XXIII for decades to come.
Any gifts received beyond the cost of construction will be placed into a permanent endowment dedicated to supporting long-term ministry operations and facility maintenance. This ensures that the new church and student center will remain sustainable for generations.
Donors may fulfill their pledges over five years, allowing families to make a meaningful commitment at a pace that works for their situation.
Gifts and pledges may be made by cash, check, credit card, or through the parish website at www.saintjohn.church/give. Please designate your gift to the Capital Campaign fund.
Yes. Gifts of appreciated securities, retirement assets (including QCDs for those over 70½), Donor Advised Fund grants, life insurance policies, and real estate are all welcome. The Catholic Foundation partners with St. John XXIII to facilitate complex asset transfers. Please contact Luke Hecker at luke@john23.com or (970) 484-3356 for more information.
Yes. St. John XXIII Catholic Church is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all gifts are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. Please consult your financial or tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Please reach out to Luke Hecker, Director of Development, at luke@john23.com or (970) 484-3356. He is happy to assist with any questions about giving options, pledge forms, or gift processing.
CSU is one of the largest universities in Colorado, and the Catholic student population — and the broader parish family — continues to grow. The current facility was never designed for its current purpose and cannot adequately serve the community's spiritual needs. A church seating over 500 will allow St. John XXIII to welcome everyone — students, families, alumni, and neighbors — without turning anyone away.
Both. Ram Catholic's campus ministry is at the heart of St. John XXIII's mission, but this project belongs to the entire parish family — lifelong parishioners, families, alumni, and anyone who has been touched by this community. The new church and student center will serve all who come to worship, study, and grow in faith here.
Campaign Committee
Betty & Vince Scheetz - Chairs
Bryan & Aileen VanMeveren - Honorary Chairs
Dan & Hannah Egger - Ft. Collins Alum Co-Chairs
Ryan & Kayla Spor - Denver Alum Co-Chairs
Michael Ring
Romy & Victoria O'Daniel
Tim & Brenda Ash
Deacon Greg & Teri Trudel
Denise & Rex Bell
Luz Sandoval - Student
Justin Walls - Student
David Mehr - Archdiocesan Representative
Fr. Joseph LaJoie - Pastor