Saint Augustine Church and Catholic Center
History
Father John F. Conoley, pastor of St.Patrick’s, was the first to envision a student center and residence hall for the young Catholic men who attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. He enlisted the aid of Mrs. Mary A. Crane of New York City, who donated $40,000.00 for this purpose. In 1922 ground was broken and on May 28, 1923 Crane Hall was dedicated by Bishop Patrick Barry of St. Augustine.
The new building was a permanent brick structure and the chapel had a seating capacity of fifty people. At that time there were thirty Catholic students at the university. The hall was monitored by the pastors from St.
Patrick’s and Father Conoley was succeeded in turn by the following: Father Patrick E. Nolan (1924-1926), Father Patrick J. Halligan (1926-1927), Father Leo Lehmann (1927) and Father John V. O’Sullivan (1928).
In 1928, Father Jeremiah P. O’Mahoney became the first resident chaplain at the hall. It was not anticipated that a large number of Catholics would attend the university and therefore the hall was of small size. The social room was divided in 1928 and a small office was made adjoining it.
In 1943, a temporary wooden chapel was built from two frame houses by Father O’Mahoney. The first Mass was offered in the new chapel on Christmas night, 1943. It was dedicated by Bishop Joseph P. Hurley in May 1944, and named in honor of St. Thomas Aquinas. In 1948, Father Charles W. Spellman became chaplain and he was succeeded in turn by Fathers Joseph O’Shea (1953-1954) and David Cronin (1954-1955).
In 1955, Father Neil A. Sager became chaplain and plans for a new Student Center were completed under his direction. In March 1958, the entire old complex was destroyed to make room for the new building which was dedicated on December 13, 1958. The chapel was named in honor of St. Augustine. Adjoining the chapel are a large meeting hall, a library, offices, a kitchen, and a residence for priests. The building is concrete block with Tennessee sandstone facing. The interior of the chapel is graced by laminated wooden arches. It seats 925 people.
As a Catholic student presence grew, student ministries formed. Our Newman Club has been in operation for many years with the future University of Florida President Stephen C. O’Connell serving as an active member during the 1930′s. The 1970's saw the beginning of the Alpha Retreat, which just celebrated its 40th year.
The Catholic landscape at the University of Florida has drastically changed over the last hundred years. There are now 10,000 Catholic students at the university and an estimated 4,000 of those students walk through our doors each year. The church has seen a number of renovations including a major renovation of the sanctuary, and a new student center is being built to accommodate this tremendous growth. The last hundred years have built up a legacy of Catholic formation and prayer.
