Our History
Celebrating 85 Years on Campus | 1939-2024
In the fall of 1939, Fr. Thomas Connolly and Mrs. Dorothee Coleman saw a clear need: a place for the Catholic students of Eastern Illinois Teacher’s College. Dorothee opened her home to thirteen students who called themselves the Catholic Study Club.
In 1940, Fr. Dan Moriarty was assigned to Charleston. He changed the name of the group to the Newman Club. From its humble beginnings, the Newman Club created a community where students could devote themselves “to the study of the sacraments, the meaning of the Mass, and the significance and efficacy of prayer.” (Dario Covi, Newman Club president, 1943.) It was also a group where “we…enjoyed the kind of social calendar popular among college and university clubs in general: hay rides, skating parties, wiener roasts, picnics, and an occasional banquet” (Dario Covi)
Fr. Dan became Msgr. Dan Moriarty and stayed on as the chaplain and director for 45 years, retiring in 1985. Along the way he was joined by a number of associate chaplains (Frs. John Franklin, Virgil Mank, Ken Venverloth, and Dean Probst). After Fr. Dan’s retirement, Fr. Robert Meyer was assigned as chaplain to the Newman Catholic Community at EIU (1985-99). A number of chaplains have served the center since 1999 including Msgr. James Comiskey, Fr. Chris Brey, Fr. Joe Ring, Fr. Adolph Menendez, Fr. John Titus, Fr. Hyland Smith, and Fr. Braden Maher. Most recently, as of June 28, 2024, we welcomed a new priest appointed by Bishop Paprocki, Fr. Michael Berndt, to serve as chaplain and director of campus ministry.
The Newman Community purchased an old church on Lincoln Avenue in 1964 to serve as their home until 1999, when in August, we moved to our current location on Roosevelt Avenue. Throughout the years Newman has continued to be a place where Heart Speaks to Heart. The presence of a Catholic community on campus has been an important part of the life of the university for eighty-five years.
“I AM HE”
St. Philip Neri Chapel Crucifix
The artwork was inspired by Pope Benedict XVI in Jesus of Nazareth: THE BURNING BUSH IS THE CROSS.
The crucifix is constructed in three layers:
-The burning bush emerges from gnarly roots, grounding the revelation of God, the I AM. Along with Moses, we stand on holy ground. The flaming leaves move upward, outward, and around the crucifix, as tongues of flame, the Holy Spirit.
-The roots of the cross intertwine with the roots of the burning bush, and lift up the Son of Man, the I AM HE.
-On the cross, Jesus is exalted to the very “height” of the God who is love. The corpus is adapted from a 13th century icon at Mt. Sinai.
The crucifix was designed and crafted in 2009 by Karen Boshart and Sher Lanham, who comprised the Red Shoes Art Studio in Charleston, Illinois.
Join Our 85 Year Campaign!
To celebrate 85 years on campus and 25 years in our building, we’re asking alumni, parents, and friends to consider a monthly pledge of $85, $25, or any other amount in efforts to continue our ministry for many more years to come!
