45 Underrated Religious College Towns Across America You'll Fall in Love With

33. Ave Maria, Florida: A New Town Built on Old Faith

Ave Maria is a 21st-century experiment in spiritual urban planning—one of the only U.S. towns built around a Catholic university from the ground up. Centered around the striking Ave Maria Oratory, with its modern gothic design, the town fosters a faith-infused way of life. Streets are named after saints, businesses close on holy days, and the university hosts everything from Latin Mass to theology symposia. While young in years, Ave Maria carries an old-soul atmosphere, blending architectural ambition with devotional living. For those curious about contemporary expressions of Catholic community, it’s a town unlike any other.