History

In 1906 the Catholic Club of the University of Vermont was founded by the Right Rev. William P. Crosby for Catholic students of the university to gather, pray and explore their faith in God. 

Throughout the years, the Catholic Club met in various locations including the Jacobs House on the corner of South Williams and Main streets. In the early 1960s, the Rev. Philip Branon, who served as the Catholic chaplain at UVM, would celebrate Mass in Ira Allen Chapel on the weekends for students, faculty and staff of the university.

It would take nearly 60 years for the Catholic students of UVM to have a place to call their home. Through the collaborative efforts of numerous people from UVM, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, and the community at large, the dream of The Catholic Center at UVM became a reality.

Building a church
In 1962, the UVM Board of Trustees met and discussed the possibility and desirability of making a parcel of university land available to religious groups on campus for the establishment of religious centers with separate facilities to be constructed by the denominations concerned. The prospect was reported and approved by the UVM president.

The following year, the trustees of the university were notified that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, under the guidance of the Most Rev. Robert F. Joyce, was interested in a parcel of land to construct a Newman Center and Chapel and the board approved this request1.

The birth of The Catholic Center sprung into life during the spring of 1963, with the launching of a $500,000 campaign. The successful effort prompted the construction of a chapel and campus center on a one-acre lot, which was leased to the Diocese.

Just over two years later, on July 26, 1965, a groundbreaking ceremony for The Catholic Center took place led by Father Branon. Thoughtfully designed by Burlington architect Ralph Branon, (Father Branon’s brother), the building was constructed with respect to its surroundings and its purpose. From the beginning, it was deemed important that the structure coexist with its environs.

The steep slope of the roof mimics the ruggedness of Mount Mansfield, which at one time was easily visible from The Catholic Center. The chapel was designed in the round, its circular lines serving a dual purpose: a reminder of God’s simplicity and indivisibility, as well as, providing a pleasing contrast to the rigid lines found in the original structure.

The original building was completed in May of 1966 and Father Branon’s dream had become a reality, thanks to the hard work of the Newman Center’s Board of Trustees led by Dr. John C. Cunningham and the generosity of many donors.

On May 8, 1966, Richard Cardinal Cushing, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston, along with Bishop Joyce, dedicated The Catholic Center at UVM. On Sept. 2, 1972, tribute was paid to the late Burlington doctor and UVM College of Medicine faculty member, Dr. John C. Cunningham. Cunningham had not only held the position of chair of Ophthalmology at UVM, but his efforts and devotion to the mission of The Catholic Center were recognized and honored with the dedication of the center to his namesake.

Expanding the mission
In the early 1990s, the Most Rev. Kenneth Angell, eighth bishop of Burlington, noting the importance of discerning religious vocations, endorsed the House of Discernment program at The Catholic Center. With its strong component of faith, the House is an area where diocesan seminarians continue to discern of God’s will for their life and the call to a priestly vocation.

As cutting edge as the building was in 1966, it became increasingly obvious that the space was inadequate for the mission. In October of 2000, a campaign for the expansion of The Catholic Center was launched under the direction of Monsignor Michael DeForge.

Always an aesthetically pleasing building, it was too small to meet the growing demands of the ministry. This campaign would provide needed funds to renovate the existing structure, upgrade the heating system, replace the roof, renovate the second story, and improve the landscaping without too great an impact on the original construction. The expansion was completed by 2001 and rededicated by Bishop Angell.

The present evolves
Today the center continues to evolve. Study rooms are alive with students from both UVM and Champlain College. A large student kitchen now provides workspace for food preparation for student dinners including Easter dinner that annually draws a crowd of 50 students, and service opportunities. Students respond to the Gospel command to serve others by preparing and serving dinners at the Salvation Army in downtown Burlington.

Several years ago the students of the Catholic Center hosted their largest and most successful event to date. Internationally acclaimed Catholic speaker and author Immaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan holocaust, spoke in the Davis Center at UVM. Her presentation entitled, “Faith, Hope and Forgiveness” drew over 900 attendees from four states, and was promoted, coordinated, and run by the dedicated work of 30 students.

Sunday Masses are regularly attended by 200 students and up to 40 college students participate in daily Mass and various faith formation opportunities. Service and mission trips continue to draw students to live out their faith in radical ways. From Calcutta to Mexico City, and from Guyana to Denver, students from the Catholic Center have travelled around the globe to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When the Rev. Jon Schnobrich was asked to define its mission, he said, “The Catholic Center exists to provide a place to call home while students are away at college. It’s a place where they are supported and challenged to make their faith their own, and to introduce others to the beauty and the power of the Catholic faith and a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Celebrating 50 Years
Across faiths, nationalities, and political ideologies, the world has remained riveted by Pope Francis and his mission. A theme has emerged: faith, humility and service are the salve our hurting world needs. In 2016 the Holy Father declared an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy for the Church throughout the world. At the highest point in Burlington, situated amongdormitories and classrooms, The Catholic Center at UVM celebrated a momentous year. The Jubilee Year of Mercy coincides with the 50th anniversary of the construction and dedication of The Catholic Center at UVM.

“We give thanks for the all of the blessings received in these last 50 years of ministry, and may the Lord continue to look with favor upon us for another 50!” Father Schnobrich welcomes all to come and see the work that God is doing at The Catholic Center at UVM. Come and admire the architecture, explore the meditative gardens, or just take time to meet some of the young people who call the center their home away from home.

20th Anniversary of the Rededication
In October 2021, The Catholic Center will celebrate 20 years since the Rededication.  Over the past 20 years, we have seen many students fall in love with Jesus and go on to serve him in their vocations as priests, religious and married couples who are raising their children in the Church.  We are so grateful for how the Lord has blessed this ministry and for all of those who have supported us with their prayers and financial gifts.  Msgr. John McDermott and The Catholic Center staff would like to invite all o join us for a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 10am Mass.  Bishop Coyne will be the main celebrant.  We look forward to seeing how the Holy Spirit will lead this ministry into the future.

[1] Blow, David. “Historical Guide to Burlington Neighborhoods Vol. 2”. Burlington: Chittenden County Historical Society, 1997. Print.