The oldest and largest campus ministry at Arizona State University is planning to construct a $5.7 million building to accommodate its growing congregation.
Officials at the All Saints Newman Catholic Center expect final permits to be approved this month and hope to break ground in the fall.
The Newman Center has existed for nearly 75 years. The current building was built in 1962 when ASU's student body totaled about 14,000. With more than 51,000 students on the Tempe campus, ASU is now the largest in main-campus enrollment among U.S. universities.
More than 1,800 people attend one of five weekend Masses each week, but center officials believe the number would be higher if the building were more conducive to the worship experience.
The new structure will be more than 10,000 square feet and will be built at the existing site.
