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Contact Information CNC@Bgsu.edu
St. Thomas More University Parish 425 Thurstin Street Bowling Green, OH 43402 Phone: 419-352-7555 Fax: 419-352-7557 |
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Last Updated 4/14/2008 6:00 PM
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Newman Club History The proceeding statements have been taken from an old Parish booklet that can be accessed as a PDF by clicking here.
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Until 1940 there was no formal Newman Club program on the Bowling Green Campus. In the record books of the local St. Aloysius Parish there are indications of a Catholic apostolate on campus as early as 1916 . Fr. O’Toole, pastor of St. Aloysius encouraged students to meet in the rectory every Thursday evening for discussions. But it was not until the term of 1939-1940 that the Catholic students approached Father Horrigan, then pastor of St. Aloysius, and suggested that a Newman Club be formed on campus. The first years of the Club were years of struggle for survival because the Second World War had reduced the student enrollment. Following the war, however, the G. I.’s began to register in great numbers. Father Nietfeld was appointed to serve the Catholic students in 1949. The Club began to make great strides with a full organization being formed. An office was established on campus. In 1952 Father Olliver was appointed to the Newman Apostolate. With the permission of Father Sullivan, pastor of St. Aloysius, the parish hall was converted into a Newman Center. In 1955 Father Sullivan decided the spiritual and intellectual needs of the students demanded total separation from the local parish. This far-sighted decision was the impetus the Newman Apostolate needed. In October of 1956 the Newman Club purchased the former Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity House at 307 E. Wooster. Hundreds of hours of student labor went into the renovation of this building, which was to become the center of Catholic student activity. Father Olliver and eight students moved into the second story. Bishop Rehring, President Mcdonald and other distinguished guests were present for the formal dedication on March of 1957. Bu t as the University continued to grow and the Catholic student population passed the 1000 mark. The need for further expansion was again felt. And again Bishop Rehring was called upon to meet the need. On June 13, 1957 the Mills property on Thurstin St. was purchased by the Diocese of Toledo. Three houses and an automobile repair shop were located on the property . The houses were filled with students and the construction was begun on the student chapel. Students themselves erected the chapel without any professional help. The first Mass was offered on the 19th of October, 1958. Bishop Rehring blessed the building May 10, 1959. The work weary crew immediately moved next door to the Body Shop and within four months it became a student center. The hall, however, was far too small for the growing needs and another building project was undertaken. In 1961 a two story building was erected in the front old the old hall. The new building housed a large hall-lounge, two classrooms and a library. And again everything was done by the students. Ne sooner had the hall been completed than the 200 Catholic students increase each year had rendered the Chapel far too small. In 1963 students doubled the size of the chapel and completely remodeled the interior and exterior. In 1964 the three houses in front of the Center were torn down and a housing complex to house 40 students was erected. As the Catholic Student population passed the 200o mark the Most reverend Bishop appointed a second full time chaplain, Father Wurzeel to work with the Newman Foundation, September 1964. In 1965 more property was purchased and a completely new Center was erected to meet the ever expanding needs. The addition matching the chapel and the old hall was 35,000sg. Feet. In the winter of 1966 the old hall was converted into rooms for student housing , bringing the number to 75. Throughout these years of building a flourishing program of religious education has been offered the Catholic students. A full religious , cultural, and social calendar has met with equal success. By the very nature of this History it is very difficult , if not impossible to bring to a close. Where others graduate new students enter; where others leave off, new students begin. And so it is neither wise nor reasonable to believe that the Newman Foundation has reached its extremities. Therefore, as others left it to us the present members, to prosper so we confidently leave it to future members to complete. May God always bless them as He has blessed us with such capable leadership.
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The History and Tradition |
