Prince of Peace Chapel
Catholic Campus Ministry Center
That caretakers house was turned into the 'Newman House', names after the venerable Cardinal John Newman, the patron of Campus Ministry, when purchased by the Diocese of Paterson. Created to serve the spiritual needs of William Paterson College students, faculty & staff. The Newman Center received Father Louis J. Scurti as its new director in 1979, who changed its name in 1980 to "The Catholic Campus Ministry Center".
Following 10 years of fundraising, in 1998, with a matching grant from the Diocese and a sizeable donation made by Bishop Frank J. Rodimer, the Catholic Campus Ministrty Center broke ground on September 1st, 'University Day', on an expansion of the Campus Ministry Center and on the construction of a Chapel. With students present, Msgr. Herbert Tyller, Vicar General of the Diocese of Paterson, and Dr. Arnold Speert, President of William Paterson University broke ground with Father Scurti.
Inspired by a student, the Chapel was named the 'Jesus Christ Prince of Peace Chapel'. Echoing the topography of the William Paterson campus, the chapel decor is higlighted by a stone facade. It is designed to faciltate the "social, service, spiritual & social" needs of the Campus Ministry community.
With members of the Diocese, local clergy, benefactors, President Speert and University administrators, local government officials, Michael Spagnola, architect, & Joseph DeVita, contractor present, Bishop Frank J. Rodimer dedicated the new Chapel and enlarged Rodimer Catholic Campus Ministry Center, located next to gate # one of WPUNJ, on September 1, 1999.
The next major construction effort came in 2003, with the construction of the CCMCommunications Television Operations Center, which was funded by a grant from the Diocesan 'Prepare the Way' endowment and from the NJ Office of Faith Based Initiatives. This provided an owned-and-operated television production facility needed to continue the evangelization programs, such as "The Word: Alive and Well".
Our Chapel and Center is a place of gathering; to pray, to learn, to share, to meet friends and make friends. We are open to all guests. We are a 'university parish', primarily providing services to the University community and alumni. Our programs are social, service, self-awareness, and spiritual. Come make yourself 'home away from home'.
Click here to see WHO'S WHO at Catholic Campus Ministry.
email: scurtil@wpunj.edu