Though known by many names in its nearly 90 years of existence, the University Parish Newman Center at Kent State University has always had same mission—to serve students at Kent State and the university community. The Newman Club at Kent State began in 1936. Newman Centers on secular college campuses are named for St. Cardinal John Henry Newman, a 19th century Oxford University scholar/author and Anglican priest who embraced Catholicism. Priests from St. Patrick Parish in Kent served as chaplains.
By 1953 the number of Catholic students attending the university had grown to one-fourth of the student population. Youngstown Bishop Emmett Walsh appointed a diocesan priest as fulltime chaplain. The student group that had been meeting in the St. Patrick basement then began meeting at the former home of the parish custodian on DePeyster Street.
As the number of Catholic students at Kent State grew to 2,500, the need for a centrally located Newman Center became clear. Property was purchased in 1955 for a Newman Center with a 300-seat chapel for weddings, confessions and Mass, space for religion classes, living quarters for the chaplain and other facilities. Fundraising efforts succeeded in eliciting two-thirds of the needed capital with the diocese providing the remainder. Construction for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel and Newman Center complex on the campus began in 1961. The first Mass was celebrated January 3, 1962. The center was known as Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission of St. Patrick Parish.
Student involvement continued in various social ministries as well as involvement in parish ministries. Professors, their families and others were drawn to the mission. In 1996, the center was established as a diocesan parish. The Newman Club was rebranded as the Catholic Student Association and the parish renamed University Parish Newman Center. During this time, involvement between parishioners and college students became more entwined. In 2000, the parish established a supportive relationship with several parishes and a school in El Salvador.
A succession of pastors expanded campus ministry programs, a scholarship was established for a Catholic Student Association member, renovations to the center’s facilities were implemented to welcome more students and foster engagement. The new space was dedicated March 19, 2017. Today, the parish collaborates with St. Patrick Parish in Kent and Immaculate Conception Parish in Ravenna.
Description from The March of the Eucharist, 2nd edition (2025) published by The Catholic Echo
