Newman Centers, Newman Houses, Newman Clubs, or Newman Communities are Catholic campus ministry centers at secular universities. The movement was inspired by the writings of Cardinal John Henry Newman encouraging societies for Catholic students attending secular universities.
These centers may include residential living space or may be actual houses close to the campus with or without a chapel. Activities vary among centers but usually include both spiritual worship like Sunday Mass and Eucharistic adoration, social get-togethers (like movies or coffee socials), and group outings (like apple picking, March for Life events, and amusement park visits).
History
The first Newman club was established at Oxford University by Hartwell de la Garde Grissell in 1878 as Oxford University Catholic Club, which was renamed in 1888 the Oxford University Newman Society.
The “Newman Movement” in the United States began in 1883 at the University of Wisconsin when Catholic students joined to form the Melvin Club, named after their hosts, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Melvin. The first Newman Club in America was established in 1893 at the University of Pennsylvania by Timothy Harrington, a graduate medical student and former member of the Wisconsin group, together with John Gilbride, James and Joseph Walsh with assistance of Father P. J. Garvey, pastor of the local St. James Catholic Church. The club provided social activities, discussions on the faith, and mutual support for Catholic students in a sometimes hostile academic environment. The meetings were occasions to experience Catholic culture in a secular environment.
Cornell had one of the first Newman Clubs, organized in 1888. The Newman Club eventually became a full-fledged campus parish, the Cornell Catholic Community.
In the early 1900s, the majority of Catholic college students attended private Catholic institutions. However, over time, a growing number of Catholics began attending secular universities. Initially, small chapels were opened near the campuses of the secular universities.
In 1908, the Catholic clubs began an association which became the National Newman Club Federation. In 1950, the National Newman Chaplains Association was established for ordained chaplains at non-Catholic colleges and universities. In 1969, the National Newman Chaplains Association became Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA).
According to The Newman Connection, a US Catholic Church Campus Ministries non-profit organization, there are over 2,000 Newman Centers in the United States.
Ministry and services
The centers provide pastoral services and ministries to their Catholic communities, in particular to the Roman Catholic student population within the universities. However, since these centers are located on university campuses, those of other Christian denominations often come and participate as well. A variety of university and parish related meetings and social events take place at the centers, as well as personal events including Catholic weddings, anniversary celebrations, baptisms, masses and funeral receptions.
United States
Examples of campuses with Newman Centers include:
St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign—formerly known as the Newman Foundation—is the largest in the nation and has been considered one of the model Newman Centers in the United States. The center encompasses three main entities: St. John's Catholic Chapel, Newman Hall, and the Institute of Catholic Thought. It is one of the few Newman Centers that also encompasses a large undergraduate residence, Newman Hall, through the university's Certified Private Housing program, having over 600 live-in residents, a cafeteria, and other services.
The Newman Center at Troy University in Troy, Alabama is a coed residence hall which opened in 2013. The Newman Halls will house 376 residents, 6 resident assistants, and one live-in married couple who acts as the community directors.