St. John's Catholic Newman Center

St. John's Catholic Newman Center is the largest Newman Center in the United States. It is located on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Consisting of St. John's Catholic Chapel, Newman Hall, and a variety of student-focused ministry programs, the center resides within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria.

In the early 1900s, the majority of Catholic university students attended private Catholic institutions instead of public schools such as the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. However, as time progressed, a growing number of Catholic university students began attending secular universities.

To spiritually support these students, small chapels were opened near the campuses of the secular universities. Initially, this was also the goal of St. John's Catholic Chapel.

As plans were made for the construction of St. John's, the Knights of Columbus and other responsible parties decided to expand their vision. Instead of merely building a church building, they also constructed a dormitory structure for Catholic students. This dormitory is directly connected to St. John's Catholic Chapel via an underground passage.

The idea of providing student housing directly connected to a Catholic Newman Center was quite new and innovative. Many sources consider St. John's Catholic Newman Center to be a model example of integrating Catholic student life with campus life.

First, in 1905 students organize the Spalding Guild for Catholic students. This organization was quite similar to a Newman Club which was a group of young students who met and shared their faith. Then, in 1908, the Guild acquires Loyola House, its first headquarters, on Main Street in Urbana. Loyola House in 1912 becomes a chapter of Phi Kappa Theta, a national Catholic fraternity. By 1915, the Knights of Columbus agree to support a chaplain for students.

As a result of that request, Father John O'Brien was appointed chaplain in August 1917. In January 1920, the Foundation is formally incorporated as the Columbus Foundation. Classes are offered by the Foundation starting in February 1920. Plans are created for construction of St. John's Catholic Chapel in May 1922.

In 1924, the Knights of Columbus purchased land at Sixth and Armory Street for $200,000. The current St. John's Catholic Newman Center remains located there today.

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