Joshua Bennett
Syracuse University is a private research university in Syracuse, New York, with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although the university has been nonsectarian since 1920, it has a Catholic Center, which is considered one of the top collegiate Catholic centers in the nation. The Catholic Center is a community for Syracuse University students who wish to practice their Catholic faith. The Hendricks Chapel, located on the campus, is an interfaith chapel that serves as the spiritual center of the university and is home to ten chaplaincies, including Roman Catholic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of University | Private research university |
| Location | Syracuse, New York, United States |
| Founding Year | 1870 |
| Religious Affiliation | Nonsectarian since 1920; roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church |
| Religious Offerings | Interfaith chapel with chaplaincies for various faiths, including Roman Catholic |
| Catholic Presence | Syracuse University Catholic Center, one of the top collegiate Catholic centers in the nation |
| Enrollment | Approximately 21,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Syracuse University's roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church
Syracuse University, informally known as 'Cuse or SU, is a private research university in Syracuse, New York, United States. Established in 1870, the university has roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920.
The university's roots can be traced to the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded in 1831 by the Genesee annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Lima, New York. In 1850, the seminary was enlarged into a college, becoming Genesee College. However, the location was considered insufficiently central, and the college began looking for a new home. At the same time, the city of Syracuse was also searching for a university to relocate to the city. Despite several years of dispute between Methodist ministers and contending cities over proposals to move Genesee College to Syracuse, the university was established in 1870, independent of Genesee College. The Methodist Church subscribed to an endowment of $400,000 to establish the school, and Methodist bishop Jesse T. Peck was elected the first president of the board of trustees.
The university's early history was shaped by its roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The college was founded as coeducational and racially integrated, open to men and women, white and black. It was also governed by a board of trustees, with a significant representation from the Methodist community. The bylaws established a university senate with supervision over all educational matters, consisting of administrators, faculty, students, and staff.
Today, Syracuse University maintains an interfaith spiritual centre, Hendricks Chapel, which is home to ten chaplaincies, including Methodist. Additionally, the university has a Catholic Centre, which is one of the top collegiate Catholic centres in the nation, serving students who wish to live out their Catholic faith. The Catholic presence on campus has grown over the years, with generations of students attending Mass and strengthening the Catholic alumni network.
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The Hendricks Chapel and its chaplaincies
Syracuse University is a private research university in Syracuse, New York. It was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920. The Hendricks Chapel, located on the Shaw Quadrangle, is an interfaith chapel and serves as the spiritual centre of the university.
The Hendricks Chapel is not tied to one particular religion. It is home to several chaplaincies, including Baptist, Buddhist, Evangelical Christian, Historically Black Churches, Islamic, Jewish, Lutheran, Pagan, Methodist, and Roman Catholic. The chapel was funded by a bequest from Francis Hendricks, a former Syracuse mayor, long-time trustee of the university, and the chapel's namesake, in honour of his wife, Eliza Jane Hendricks.
The chapel has been a central part of the Syracuse University community since its opening in 1930, hosting numerous events, including religious services, town hall meetings, memorial ceremonies, concerts, lectures, protests, performances, and community gatherings. The chapel has also been a notable centre of spiritual and cultural diversity, serving as a place where people can gather for religious, social, cultural, and intellectual purposes while maintaining its ambiance of sanctuary and its lack of specific religious symbols.
The chaplaincies at Hendricks Chapel provide resources and support to students of various faiths. Chaplains, including an imam, a rabbi, a priest, and several pastors, work together under the umbrella of Hendricks Chapel to better serve the diverse student body. The chapel also hosts student religious groups, including groups associated with the chaplaincies as well as Adventist, Christian Science, Baháʼí, Hindu, Jainist, Mormon, Shinto, Sikh, Orthodox Christian, Pentecostal, Taoist, and more.
The Syracuse University Catholic Center, also known as 'Cuse Catholic, is one of the top collegiate Catholic centres in the nation. It provides a community for students who wish to live out their Catholic faith and offers dynamic programming that encourages relationship and faith-building. The Catholic Centre is one of the largest growing communities of Catholic students in the nation, with generations of students attending Mass, graduating, and strengthening the Catholic alumni network.
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The Syracuse University Catholic Center
Syracuse University is a private research university in Syracuse, New York, that was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920. The university is organised into 13 schools and colleges and is classified as "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
The Syracuse University Catholic Centre, also known as the SU Catholic Centre, is one of the top collegiate Catholic centres in the nation. The centre is a home for Syracuse University, SUNY-ESF, and SUNY Upstate students who wish to live out their Catholic faith in community with like-minded individuals. The centre offers a rich and vibrant ministry, with the mission to build a strong community that is completely accepting, inclusive, and bound together, regardless of race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, by God’s universal love. This mission is demonstrated through the celebration of the sacraments, small faith-sharing groups, fellowship, volunteer service, music, and social action.
The SU Catholic Centre offers a variety of events, meetings, and retreats to foster community and deepen one's faith. Weekly meetings are held to prepare individuals to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) at the Easter Vigil. The centre also hosts a Lake Retreat, which is a weekend focused on community-building and faith-deepening, as well as Kairos VI, which will take place in the Spring of 2026.
The Catholic Centre is located at 110 Walnut Place, across from the Whitman School of Management, and offers study spaces (including a library and a Great Room) and prayer spaces for quiet meditation and mindfulness. The centre also holds weekly Mass and Dinner on Thursdays at 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm, respectively.
The Syracuse University Catholic Centre is a vibrant and welcoming community that provides a space for individuals to express their faith, connect with others, and deepen their relationship with God. With a variety of offerings and a rich history, the centre continues to be one of the largest growing communities of Catholic students in the nation.
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The Alibrandi Catholic Center
Syracuse University is a private research university in Syracuse, New York, with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but it has been nonsectarian since 1920. The Hendricks Chapel, located on the Quad, serves as the university's spiritual centre and is home to ten chaplaincies, including Baptist, Buddhist, Evangelical Christian, and Roman Catholic, among others.
In 2015, Friar Linus DeSantis passed away suddenly, and the renovation project was put on hold as the university mourned his loss. On May 2, 2016, Friar Gerry Waterman was appointed the new Catholic Chaplain at the Alibrandi Catholic Center, with the formal installation ceremony taking place on October 30, 2016. The centre continues to provide dynamic programming and a strong community for students wishing to live out their Catholic faith.
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The history of Catholic life at Syracuse University
Syracuse University was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920. The Hendricks Chapel, located on the Quad, is the spiritual centre of the university. It is an interfaith chapel that serves ten chaplaincies, including Baptist, Buddhist, Evangelical Christian, Historically Black Churches, Islamic, Jewish, Lutheran, Pagan, Methodist, and Roman Catholic.
The Catholic presence at Syracuse University began in 1908 with the formation of the first Brownson Club. They held their activities in the old Knights of Columbus Hall on Larned St, about a mile west of campus. In 1915, the Brownson Club changed its name to the Newman Club, which became the catalyst for a real Catholic presence on campus. Since then, Catholic life at Syracuse University has grown with the university itself. Generations of students have attended Mass, graduated, and strengthened the Catholic alumni network. Today, the SU Catholic Centre is one of the largest growing communities of Catholic students in the nation.
In 1935, Gannon Ryan, a 31-year-old priest, was appointed as the first full-time Catholic Chaplain by the Syracuse Diocese. Upon his appointment, Fr. Ryan took office in Hendricks Chapel. However, the university refused to provide a dedicated meeting space for Catholic students, except for a room in Slocum Hall for Sunday Mass.
In 1982, Fr. Charles purchased the land where the neighbouring Sorority house once stood and built a massive addition, the John G. Alibrandi Jr. Catholic Centre. The Alibrandi Catholic Centre now serves as the Catholic Chaplaincy for Syracuse University. In 2016, Friar Gerry Waterman was appointed as the new Catholic Chaplain, bringing new life to the ministry with his enthusiasm and willingness to connect with students. With the support of Syracuse University, Fr. Gerry has made the Catholic Centre more accessible to students for prayer, study, and recreation.
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Frequently asked questions
Syracuse University was founded in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920. It does, however, have a Catholic Center, which is considered one of the top collegiate Catholic centers in the nation.
The Syracuse University Catholic Center is a place for Syracuse University, SUNY-ESF, and SUNY Upstate students who want to practice their Catholic faith with like-minded individuals.
In 1908, several Syracuse University students formed the first Brownson Club, which later became the Newman Club, which became the catalyst for a real Catholic presence on campus. Since then, Catholic life at Syracuse University has grown alongside the university itself.
Yes, Father Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. is Syracuse University's Catholic chaplain.
Yes, Catholic masses are held at Hendricks Chapel, which is an interfaith chapel located on the Syracuse University campus.
