Dedicated to truth and knowledge the University of St. Thomas stands as a beacon of Catholic higher education in Houston. Founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers, the University of St. Thomas is the only Catholic university in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. But how did this institution come to be?
Back on June 24, 1944, Bishop Christopher E. Byrne of the Diocese of Galveston entered an agreement. He partnered with the Houston-based Basilian Fathers to establish a co-educational Roman Catholic university in Houston. The aim was to start as soon as possible after World War II.
The first classes at the University of St. Thomas began on September 22, 1947. There were just 57 freshmen and eight faculty members. The University of St. Thomas graduated its first class in 1951. The university is named after St. Thomas Aquinas. Initially, it consisted solely of the Link–Lee House. Now the University of St. Thomas has expanded significantly.
Located in the Montrose neighborhood, the University of St. Thomas’s main campus is near Houston’s Museum District. It also sits close to the Menil Collection and the Rothko Chapel. Many administrative offices are in houses built in the 1930s. Some buildings are historic, including the Link–Lee House.
The campus layout follows a square format. The Academic Mall serves as the central focus. Rectangular buildings dominate the Academic Mall, showcasing the architectural style of Philip Johnson. The Doherty Library anchors the south end. The Chapel of St. Basil stands at the opposite end. These buildings represent faith and reason in dialogue.
The Chapel of St. Basil is the main worship space on campus. It is an award-winning piece of architecture. Basil was a fourth-century bishop who valued both education and monastic life. The chapel represents faith within the Academic Mall’s depiction of faith and reason.
During the daytime, natural light illuminates the chapel’s interior. Smooth textures and reflective surfaces maximize the sunlight. At night, exterior lights and candles create a soft glow. Completed in 1972, the Robert Pace and Ada Mary Doherty Library houses over 250,000 books.
The University of St. Thomas unveiled a mural by Mario Figueroa Jr. in 2019. It was the first mural on campus. The University of St. Thomas also owns a shopping center. It repurposed the former Black Labrador restaurant into an alumni center.
The University of St. Thomas has a diverse student body. It is recognized as a Hispanic-serving institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Students come from 40 states and 54 countries.
The University of St. Thomas athletic teams are known as the Celts. They compete in the NCAA Division III Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. The University of St. Thomas offers various student life activities. These include the Neewollah Party and cultural celebrations. Over 80 student organizations enrich campus life.
From its humble beginnings in 1947 to its current status, the University of St. Thomas continues to grow. It upholds its mission of fostering intellectual and moral development rooted in Catholic tradition. The University of St. Thomas creates a vibrant community for students of all backgrounds.