Renew the Church. Transform the Culture.
Building up the City of God in the heart of the world.
Civitas Dei gathers Catholic leaders, clergy, and apostolates to deepen their life in Christ and bring the light of the Gospel into every corner of culture—through liturgy, formation, and friendship.
Our Vision
The City of God in The Modern World
To usher in the Kingdom of God on Earth through the establishment of Catholic civilization—by building new foundational townships and integrating the values of Catholic culture into pre-existing communities. We aim to lay the foundations for a cultural renewal that begins locally.
Our Pillars
- ✦
Liturgy
Eucharistic worship at the heart of every gathering, shaping leaders from the altar outward.
- ✦
Formation
World-class teaching in theology, culture, and leadership for today's challenges.
- ✦
Community
Friendships and networks that sustain faithful mission over a lifetime.
Who We Are
A Catholic movement of young men, building Christendom from the ground up.
CIVITAS DEI is a Catholic nonprofit uniting young men (ages 21–37) to build intentional local Catholic communities across America — revitalizing Christendom from the ground up.
Founded at Thomas Aquinas College by John Gutch and Christopher Wolfenden.
A Movement, Not an Organization
100+
Passionate Young Men
8+
Township Communities
6+
Partner Colleges
Our Foundation
The Four Pillars of Our Apostolate
Authentically Catholic
We pursue real, transformative change through local community — not nominal or watered-down faith. TOWNSHIP is the expression of that commitment.
Local Impact
Unlike national initiatives, we stay focused on small cities and towns — the places where life is actually lived and culture is actually formed.
Organized Network
Connecting Catholics nationwide — and beyond — to support one another's mission, growth, and flourishing across all TOWNSHIP communities.
Organic Culture
Building bottom-up, prayer-rooted, natural growth — steady and resilient. TOWNSHIP communities grow like cities of old: faith first, beauty second, commerce third.
The Solution
Community-Led Revival via TOWNSHIPS
A CIVITAS TOWNSHIP is an intentional Catholic community — built through the strategic acquisition of local businesses, real estate, and organized parish life — transforming an ordinary town into a thriving, beautiful, Catholic locality.
Business
Catholic-owned trades & local commerce.
Real Estate
Homes & storefronts in walkable proximity.
Culture
Processions, feasts, fraternal life.
A town where the bells ring, the streets are beautiful, the businesses are Catholic, and the faith is alive.
Live Case Study
Warren, Massachusetts: The Model in Action
The first live proof the TOWNSHIP model works organically — 20 Catholic families have formed a thriving intentional community, and the first business acquisition is now underway.
20
Catholic Families
1st
Business Acquisition
LIVE
Proof of Concept
Mount Civitas — Poultney, Vermont
Launch Project
National HQ: Mount Civitas
✓ We Won the Bid — Portion of the Campus Awarded
The former Green Mountain College campus — 155+ acres of historic buildings, valued at $20M+ — has been offered by Raj Peter Bhakta to a Catholic mission-aligned organization. CIVITAS DEI has secured a portion as our national headquarters, with additional buildings unlocking as we raise operational capital.
Campus Facts
- Location
- Poultney, VT
- Acreage
- 155+ acres
- Value
- $20M+
- Status
- Portion Secured
As Seen In
The Washington Post — “Why Catholicism is Drawing in Gen Z Men”
April 2, 2026
The Washington Post featured the Gen Z Catholic revival sweeping America — the very movement CIVITAS DEI was founded to lead. CIVITAS DEI and the TOWNSHIP model are the organized expression of this cultural moment.
Read the article →Connections include Prince Albert von und Taxis · George Farmer · Cardinal Dolan · Tim Busch · St. Placid’s Foundation
Investment Opportunity
The Ask
$1,000,000
Fundraising capital to unlock additional campus buildings and accelerate TOWNSHIP rollout.
How Funds Are Used
- Campus Maintenance & Repairs$500,000
- Programming & Formation
- Staff & Operations
- Fundraising & Development
“Thy Kingdom Come” starts with stewards who support this movement.
officialcivitasdei.org · info@officialcivitasdei.org · 518-982-9521
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