St. Thomas of Villanova Church
| St. Thomas of Villanova Church | |
|---|---|
St. Thomas of Villanova Church
Baccalaureate, 2008 |
|
| 40°02′16″N 75°20′15″W / 40.03771°N 75.33755°WCoordinates: 40°02′16″N 75°20′15″W / 40.03771°N 75.33755°W | |
| Location | Villanova, Pennsylvania |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www.stthomasofvillanova.org |
| History | |
| Founded | October 13, 1841 |
| Dedication | Thomas of Villanova |
| Architecture | |
| Status |
Parish church University Chapel |
| Architect(s) | Edwin F. Durang |
| Style | Gothic revival |
| Groundbreaking | March 29, 1883 |
| Completed | 1887 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 2 |
| Spire height | 137 ft (42 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Rosemont, Pennsylvania |
| Diocese | Philadelphia |
| Clergy | |
| Pastor(s) | Fr. Joseph Narog, OSA |
| Laity | |
| Director of music | Greg Doerfler (interim) |
St. Thomas of Villanova Church is a Roman Catholic church on the campus of Villanova University. Completed in 1887, it had long been the center of Augustinian activity in the United States, and still plays an important role within the province. Today, the church functions as the parish church for St. Thomas of Villanova parish as well as the University Chapel for Villanova University. The church's dual Gothic revival spires have long been symbolic of the University.
The land on which the church and school sit was purchased from the Rudolph family by the Augustinians on October 13, 1841. The intent was to create a center of Augustinian life; an organized program of education for the priesthood, which became Villanova University; and an academy for Catholic boys, which now exists as Malvern Preparatory School. In 1843, Villanova College opened its doors for its first few classes, becoming the center of Augustinian life in the United States, a position it would retain for over 70 years.
Ground was broken for the church on March 29, 1883. The cornerstone was laid on June 3, 1883, and blessed by Jeremiah F. Shanahan, Bishop of Harrisburg. The building project was begun under the leadership of the Augustinian provincial, Fr. Christopher McEvoy, O.S.A. along with the pastor, prior, and president of Villanova College, Fr. Joseph A. Coleman, O.S.A. The church was completed in 1887 under Reverend James J. Blake, O.S.A.
The architect of the Gothic Revival church, Edwin F. Durang of the Philadelphia architectural firm of John E. Carver, based the 137 feet (42 m) twin spires of the church on the south spire of the 13th century French Cathedral at Chartres. With no known claim to the contrary, it is assumed that, at the time of its construction, the church's spires were the tallest man-made structure between the Delaware River and Lancaster.
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