Ragin’ Cajun Catholics unveil plans for final phase of new church and student center
The Ragin’ Cajun Catholics at Our Lady of Wisdom has relaunched a fundraising effort for the final phase of building a new church and student center on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus.
Our Lady of Wisdom leaders shared information Wednesday on plans for the new church and Catholic Student Center design, along with architects’ renderings of each façade of the new facility. It will be across from the current 80-year-old church and student center.
The $35-million project includes a new church that will seat 534 and a 25,000-square-foot Catholic Student Center. The student center will include spiritual and intellectual formation spaces, including an Adoration Chapel, multiple Bible study rooms, a lecture hall to seat 150 and a library.
Community and student gathering spaces include a café, game room, living room and a grand hall to hold large events and wedding receptions. Outdoor spaces that connect Our Lady of Wisdom to the main university campus include the church plaza, the student center lawn, courtyards, porches and balconies.
The current facilities at 501 E. Saint Mary Blvd. were constructed more than 80 years ago. The facilities were built on land leased from the State of Louisiana with no guarantee of lease renewal, further complicating matters, according to a press release.
In June of 2022, the Diocese of Lafayette completed a historic land transaction. In the cash and trade deal, the Diocese exchanged five acres of land with ULL to acquire 1.4 acres in the heart of the campus - located across the street from the current Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Student Center.
“We now have the incredible opportunity to build a permanent home for Jesus Christ and a home away from home for more than 15,000 students in the heart of a secular university campus,” said Gus Zepernick, Wisdom’s Capital Campaign Chair, at a recent fundraising event. The new designs is possible by an historic land swap among the Diocese of Lafayette, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center and the Diocese of Lafayette.
“The ministry has already raised $12.8 million toward the $35 million project budget. Our alumni finally have the opportunity to build a lasting legacy on campus and are excited to give back to this historic project,” Mary Hernandez, Executive Director of Advancement for Our Lady of Wisdom, reported.
In addition to the $35 million budget, an additional $3.5 million is needed for the care and maintenance of the new facility. Donations of $600,000 already have been received.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: New church, student center part of $35 million project on ULL campus
