Purdue Catholic Campus Ministry began in 1906 when the Catholic Club was founded. Students traveled across the Wabash River to attend services at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lafayette. The Newman Club was chartered in 1927. In 1928, Reverend Leo Pursley was assigned as associate pastor of St. Mary’s Church and to work with Purdue students.

Fifty years ago, Fr. Thomas Heilman had a vision ...to establish a student center at Purdue University to serve the spiritual needs of Catholics attending Purdue University. That vision became reality when the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel was dedicated in April, 1951. Fr. Heilman’s vision called for adequate space and facilities for programs, faith sharing and for social as well as educational activities.

By 1963, St. Thomas Aquinas faced the challenge of meeting the needs of a growing Catholic population on campus. Under the leadership of Fr. Leo Piguet and Fr. Leo Haigerty, the seating capacity of the worship area was expanded from 350 to 1,200. Large meeting rooms in the lower level provided study areas and space for religious programs.

The year 2000 saw the arrival of the Dominican Friars from the Province of St. Albert the Great in Chicago. These new pastoral leaders join a talented and vital lay staff to continue the vision of Fr. Heilman that has been kept alive and thriving for half a century.

In this new millennium the Center is among the largest parish/campus ministries programs in the nation. The 650+ resident parishioner families and nearly 10,000 Catholic students attending Purdue pose quite a challenge. The relationship that has developed between these two diverse groups is hope-filled and forward thinking regarding the great problems that face our Church. The home atmosphere created by the residents parishioners make St. Tom's one of the great memories the Purdue students take with them into their lives. There are 20,000+ “alums” that are on our mailing list - and counting!