The financial foundation is in place, the land is ready, and the moment is here.
A $5 million lead gift is already secured, and St. John XXIII is building in phases so ground can be broken without delay.
St. John XXIII is raising $7 million to bring a new Church and Catholic Student Center to life on South Shields Street — an unmistakable presence at the edge of Colorado State University that will welcome every student who walks by into an encounter with Christ.
Progress: 1.8 Million
Target: 7 Million
A Mission That Has Outgrown its Current 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 we could have imagined, and it has taken all of us. Now, the moment has come: 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 Space
This is not simply a building project. The new church have a choir loft and a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration chapel. The Catholic Student Center will be a true home for Ram Catholic life — a dining and gathering space for shared meals and Bible study, meeting rooms to form leaders and plan ministry, and an outdoor courtyard where community deepens. 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.
Momentum is Building
A $5 million lead gift has been secured, and St. John XXIII is moving forward in two phases so construction doesn't wait on any single transaction to close. Phase 1 will build the sanctuary and a shelled-out first floor, made possible by that lead gift, an Archdiocese loan secured by the value of the parish's land, and gifts raised through this campaign. That same land is also being made available to a developer — an arrangement expected to bring significant long-term value to the campaign in the years ahead. Next comes the sacrificial generosity of donors who believe in this mission. The Let Us Build Something Beautiful for God Campaign is raising $7 million to bring this vision to life. Will you be part of what God is building here at CSU?
Donate Today!
Learn more about planned giving and donations of other complex assets through the Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado.
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
Campaign Committee
Frequently Asked Questions
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 real momentum is already in place: a $5 million lead gift has been secured, and St. John XXIII is building in two phases so that ground can be broken without delay, rather than waiting on any single transaction to close. The campaign is now raising the remaining $7 million to complete what God has made possible.
This campaign is built on a solid financial and spiritual foundation. The secured lead gift and a phased construction plan 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 two primary components:
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A new Gothic-style church with a choir loft and a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration chapel
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A Catholic Student Center featuring a dining and gathering space for shared meals and Bible study, meeting rooms, a conference space, and an outdoor courtyard. It will also include a multipurpose social hall, which includes a commercial kitchen and can be sectioned off for smaller ministry events
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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. St. John XXIII is building in two phases so construction can begin without delay:
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Phase 1 ($15 million) — the sanctuary and a shelled-out first floor, funded by the $5 million secured lead gift, an Archdiocese loan secured by the value of the parish's land, and gifts raised through this campaign
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Phase 2 ($7 million) — completing the first floor, and possibly adding further ministry and office space, funded as land proceeds and additional campaign gifts come in
Roughly four acres of parish property are being made available to a developer, an arrangement expected to bring significant long-term value to the campaign.
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The decision is a strategic, mission-driven one. It provides significant long-term value that supports the project while allowing the remaining 1.5 acres to be sufficient for a church and student center that will serve St. John XXIII for decades to come.
Should the campaign exceed what's needed to complete construction, the parish will consider directing additional gifts toward a permanent endowment for long-term ministry operations and facility maintenance, helping ensure the new church and student center 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. The new church 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.