In the late 1800s, a small group of Catholic students at the University of California, Berkeley sensed that university life should offer more than lectures, exams, and academic achievement. They longed for community, meaning, and a faith that could be lived—together. Their vision was bold: a society that would nurture the social, intellectual, and spiritual lives of Catholic students.

The idea wasn’t immediately successful. In 1898, the students met three times to organize a club, but disagreements stalled the effort and the project was set aside. Still, the spark remained. On December 8, 1899, that spark became a flame with the official founding of the Newman Club—named after Cardinal John Henry Newman, the influential English theologian whose writings shaped Catholic thought in the 19th century and beyond.

In its earliest years, Newman had no chapel and no permanent home. Members traveled far and wide to attend Mass—in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, and neighboring communities. Meetings were held wherever space could be found: private homes, rented halls, and borrowed rooms. Social life flourished nonetheless, with dinners, teas, musicales, lectures, and receptions. Women gathered twice a month for tea, while men held a “smoker” twice a year—a glimpse into the customs of the time.

The fledgling club soon gained the encouragement of Archbishop Patrick Riordan of San Francisco and the pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Berkeley. Fr. John J. Cantwell, then a young curate (and later Archbishop of Los Angeles), became Newman’s first chaplain. As one early history described it, the founders sought “to organize a society which would be for the social, intellectual, and spiritual benefit of its members and representative of the Catholic Church.” Regular meetings, lively debates, elected officers, and an annual celebration of Communion followed by breakfast quickly became part of Newman life.

A major turning point came in 1907, when Archbishop Riordan appointed the first Paulist priest as full-time resident chaplain to UC Berkeley students. Fr. Thomas Verner Moore began what would become a 117-year Paulist presence at Newman. That same year, the Archbishop purchased a home on Ridge Road, establishing a permanent location for Newman Hall. Later, a $40,000 gift—presented to Archbishop Riordan on his silver jubilee—funded the construction of a grand new Newman Hall designed by renowned architect Bernard Maybeck.

The “old” Newman Hall was remarkable. It included a chapel seating 400, expansive social spaces, offices, living quarters for the Paulists, and even a bowling alley in the basement. For decades, it was the heart of Catholic student life at Berkeley—a place where faith, friendship, and ideas flourished side by side.

By the 1960s, the growing community called for a larger home. Plans were made for a new building on the south side of campus, funded by the Diocese of Oakland and generous friends of Newman. Designed by architect Mario Ciampi, the modern Newman Hall was dedicated on May 13, 1967, in a joyful celebration attended by religious and academic leaders. At the same time, Newman became the Parish of the Holy Spirit, expanding its mission to serve the broader Berkeley community.

As the decades unfolded, Newman Hall reflected—and often participated in—the major social and religious movements of the 20th century. In many ways, its story mirrors the story of the Catholic Church in America. From the beginning, Newman held a strong conviction that faith must shape how one lives in the world. Early programs tackled ethical dilemmas, social reform, criminal justice, and public life—topics that felt daring and urgent even then.

That commitment deepened during the turbulent 1960s and 70s. Newman supported the civil rights movement, proudly claiming alumnus William Wagoner, an early Freedom Rider in Mississippi. When he was arrested, Newman rallied support on his behalf. The parish also engaged in intercultural programs, supported the United Farm Workers, offered sanctuary to Vietnam War resisters, and stood present during the Free Speech Movement protests at People’s Park.

Social justice became a defining hallmark. Newman provided weekly meals and shower facilities, joined BOCA (Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action), supported the Berkeley Catholic Worker, and remained active in peace and justice initiatives, including protests against nuclear weapons. Programs like Just Faith and Bread for the World’s Racial Wealth Gap Simulation carried this work into the present day.

One beloved ministry, Loaves & Fishes, evolved over time. At its heart was hospitality: a monthly sit-down dinner with table hosts ensuring every guest felt welcomed and seen. UC Berkeley students often contributed music and entertainment. In the early 2000s, the ministry expanded to provide weekly meals at both the Berkeley Women’s and Men’s Shelters.

Newman also became known for its creativity and beauty in worship. Elaborate liturgies, a towering live Christmas tree in the sanctuary, handmade Advent calendars, vibrant Easter banners, liturgical dance, and the iconic 10 p.m. Candlelight Mass all left lasting impressions. Lay preaching flourished, reflecting Newman’s long-standing commitment to empowering the laity.

In 2013, Newman welcomed FOCUS missionaries to strengthen campus ministry amid rising secularism. A year later, during diocesan leadership changes, the future of Paulist leadership at Newman was reconsidered. A renewed Paulist pastoral team was ultimately appointed, continuing collaboration with the Diocese of Oakland. During this period, Newman clergy also played key roles in racial justice efforts following the Black Lives Matter movement and the murder of George Floyd.

The COVID-19 pandemic tested Newman’s resilience—but also revealed its adaptability. The community moved quickly to livestream Masses, provide safe access to the Eucharist, and care for parishioners’ spiritual and physical well-being. Outdoor liturgies, strict safety protocols, and creative pastoral solutions allowed Newman to gather safely, with no reported outbreaks linked to parish activities. Many of these practices—hospitality, attentiveness, and care for the vulnerable—remain part of Newman life today.

As the 21st century unfolded, Newman’s identity remained clear: strong lay leadership, peer-to-peer student ministry, deep care for the poor, intentional inclusion of those on the margins, commitment to evangelization, ecumenical collaboration, and rigorous intellectual and spiritual formation.

In 2024, another historic chapter began. Facing a shortage of priests, the Paulist Fathers discerned a transition of leadership after 117 years of service. Newman Hall would return to diocesan oversight and welcome new shepherds: the Dominican Friars of the Province of the Holy Name of Jesus.

On July 1, 2024, Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, OP—formerly head of Catholic campus ministry at Stanford—assumed leadership. With the Dominicans’ rich intellectual tradition, preaching charism, and strong academic roots, Newman Hall now enters a new and promising era—grounded in its past, alive in the present, and ready for the future.