We come to share Our Story...

1914
1914
UK Catholic Club Formed
UK Catholic Club Formed

  UK Catholic Club of 26 members formed with a part-time chaplain, Fr. William Punch

1923
1923
Growth

There are 42 Catholics at UK

1940
1940
New Associations

Covington Diocese associates with National Newman Clubs

1958
1958
A Full-time Chaplain

Fr. Herlihy becomes the first full-time chaplain

1959
1959
A new meeting place

Meetings start taking place in a building at 320 Rose Ln. with about 135 people worshipping together weekly

1960
1960
Fr. Elmer Moore and continued growth
Fr. Elmer Moore and continued growth

A new structure is build with Fr. Elmer Moore as the full-time chaplain.  Newman Clubs dissolve in favor of the National Newman Apostolate, and Catholic numbers at UK swell to 635

1963
1963
Holy Spirit Parish

Holy Spirit Parish is erected as a personal parish, not a territorial parish

1965
1965
Significant growth continues
Significant growth continues

UK Catholics grow to 1,900

1966
1966
First full-time associate chaplain

Fr. Ronald Ketteler becomes the first full-time associate chaplain

1969
1969
Newman Center Foundation, Inc. is established

Newman Center Foundation, Inc. is established and begins the first major fundraising campaign

1970
1970
Numbers climb

3,500 UK Catholics

1972
1972
New Building

Newman Center building erected and dedicated

1975
1975
4,000 UK Catholics

4,000 UK Catholics

1976
1976
20 percent

Catholics make up 20% of the UK student body

1978
1978
Fr. Larry Hehman becomes pastor
Fr. Larry Hehman becomes pastor

Fr. Larry Hehman, who had been associate pastor since 1969, becomes pastor

1980
1980
Grants Program begins

5,000 UK Catholics Newman Center, Inc. Grants Program begins

1984
1984
Distinguished Speakers Program begins

Distinguished Speakers Program begins

1985
1985
Fr. Dan Noll

Fr. Dan Noll, associate pastor since 1982, becomes pastor

1990
1990
Church renovation
Church renovation

Successful fundraising campaign held for church addition, kitchen, and renovation

1991
1991
A year of change

Fr. Tom Farell becomes pastor Newman Center, Inc. Fellows Program begins Full time campus minister joins Newman Center staff

1992
1992
Newman Center, Inc. Fellows Program begins
Newman Center, Inc. Fellows Program begins

Newman Center, Inc. Fellows Program begins

1994
1994
Name Change

Newman Center, Inc. changed its name to Newman Foundation, Inc.

2005
2005
Cottrill-Rolfes Endowed Chair of Catholic Studies established

Cottrill-Rolfes Endowed Chair of Catholic Studies established

2014
2014
NFI Annual Celebration
NFI Annual Celebration

NFI Annual Celebration with Fellows & Founders Honorary Priests’ Dinner (Fr. Walt Bado, Fr. Paul Prabell, and Fr. Larry Hehman)

2015
2015
Honorary Priests’ Dinner

Honorary Priests’ Dinner (Fr. Dan Noll, Fr. Tom Farrell, and Fr. Larry Hehman)

2016
2016
Mission expands
Mission expands

NFI expands mission to offer opportunities diocesan-wide

2022
2022
Chair of Catholic Studies

Philipp Rosemann assumes the position of Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Kentucky, succeeding Dr. David Hunter

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