We come to share Our Story...
1914
UK Catholic Club Formed
UK Catholic Club of 26 members formed with a part-time chaplain, Fr. William Punch
1923
Growth
There are 42 Catholics at UK
1940
New Associations
Covington Diocese associates with National Newman Clubs
1958
A Full-time Chaplain
Fr. Herlihy becomes the first full-time chaplain
1959
A new meeting place
Meetings start taking place in a building at 320 Rose Ln. with about 135 people worshipping together weekly
1960
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…
1963
Holy Spirit Parish
Holy Spirit Parish is erected as a personal parish, not a territorial parish
1965
Significant growth continues
UK Catholics grow to 1,900
1966
First full-time associate chaplain
Fr. Ronald Ketteler becomes the first full-time associate chaplain
1969
Newman Center Foundation, Inc. is established
Newman Center Foundation, Inc. is established and begins the first major fundraising campaign
1970
Numbers climb
3,500 UK Catholics
1972
New Building
Newman Center building erected and dedicated
1975
4,000 UK Catholics
4,000 UK Catholics
1976
20 percent
Catholics make up 20% of the UK student body
1978
Fr. Larry Hehman becomes pastor
Fr. Larry Hehman, who had been associate pastor since 1969, becomes pastor
1980
Grants Program begins
5,000 UK Catholics Newman Center, Inc. Grants Program begins
1984
Distinguished Speakers Program begins
Distinguished Speakers Program begins
1985
Fr. Dan Noll
Fr. Dan Noll, associate pastor since 1982, becomes pastor
1990
Church renovation
Successful fundraising campaign held for church addition, kitchen, and renovation
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
Newman Center, Inc. Fellows Program begins
Newman Center, Inc. Fellows Program begins
1994
Name Change
Newman Center, Inc. changed its name to Newman Foundation, Inc.
2005
Cottrill-Rolfes Endowed Chair of Catholic Studies established
Cottrill-Rolfes Endowed Chair of Catholic Studies established
2014
NFI Annual Celebration
NFI Annual Celebration with Fellows & Founders Honorary Priests’ Dinner (Fr. Walt Bado, Fr. Paul Prabell, and Fr. Larry Hehman)
2015
Honorary Priests’ Dinner
Honorary Priests’ Dinner (Fr. Dan Noll, Fr. Tom Farrell, and Fr. Larry Hehman)
2016
Mission expands
NFI expands mission to offer opportunities diocesan-wide
2022
Chair of Catholic Studies
Philipp Rosemann assumes the position of Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Kentucky, succeeding Dr. David Hunter