About Catholic Center at the University of Georgia · Athens, Georgia
The Catholic Center at the University of Georgia is a Eucharistic community rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition that serves the students of UGA and the wider Athens, Georgia community. Founded in 1952 and housed at 1344 South Lumpkin Street, just blocks from the UGA campus, the parish today counts over 800 community members and over 500 students. It is led today by Fr. Brian McNavish (Director) and Fr. Michael Bremer (Assistant Director) under the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Its chapel, Spalding Chapel, was dedicated in 1967 and named for 19th-century Bishop John Lancaster Spalding, a pioneer of Catholic higher education in the United States.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- The chapel is named for Bishop John Lancaster Spalding (1840–1916), first Bishop of Peoria and co-founder of The Catholic University of America.
- Rector
- Fr. Brian McNavish (Director)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
The Catholic Center at UGA is a multi-generational Eucharistic community with daily Mass, weekly confession, Friday adoration, and a robust Religious Education program for children of parish families — alongside a thriving student ministry built around Ignite (freshmen), Ablaze (formation for all students), FOCUS Bible studies, retreats like 'Into the Deep,' and a Sunday Night Dinner that welcomes the broader Athens community. With over 800 community members and 500+ students, it pairs authentic Catholic tradition with the energy of a vibrant campus parish just blocks from the University of Georgia.
Mass times at Catholic Center at the University of Georgia
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (held in the office; paused throughout July)
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (except on home game Saturdays)
Adoration times
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM (paused during summer break)
Welcome & Identity
The Catholic Center at UGA describes itself as a Eucharistic community that seeks to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Roman Catholic Church. A faith-based and multi-generational community, it has served UGA and the greater Athens area for over 70 years. Its mission is built around three pillars: Faith (enriching the spiritual lives of those involved with or encountered by the Center), Fellowship (a welcoming community of hospitality), and Service (a key component of life at the Center, serving both campus and town).
- Pillar: Faith
- Pillar: Fellowship
- Pillar: Service
Our History
Catholic students at UGA first met at St. Joseph Parish on Prince Avenue. In 1952, Bishop Francis Hyland purchased the Patmon Estate at 1344 South Lumpkin Street; Fr. Francis Clougherty, O.S.B., converted the brick house into a student center. The Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province took over the Newman Club ministry in 1957. Groundbreaking for a new chapel and center was held on March 10, 1966, and the building was dedicated on February 12, 1967 as Spalding Chapel — named for Bishop John Lancaster Spalding — and the Newman Center. After 62 years of Franciscan leadership, the Archdiocese of Atlanta assumed responsibility in July 2020. The center celebrated its 75th church anniversary in 2027.
- 1952: Patmon Estate purchased for Catholic student center
- 1957: Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province arrive
- 1966: Groundbreaking with Archbishop Hallinan, Fr. Malone, Coach Vince Dooley
- 1967: Dedication of Spalding Chapel with Bishop Joseph Bernardin
- 2020: Transition to Archdiocese of Atlanta
- 2027: 75th church anniversary
Clergy & Staff
The Catholic Center is led by a Director (the parish priest) supported by an Assistant Director, a Seminarian, and a robust lay and religious staff spanning operations, religious education, music and liturgy, sacraments, communications, hospitality, and facilities.
- Fr. Brian McNavish — Director ([email protected])
- Fr. Michael Bremer — Assistant Director ([email protected])
- Giao Nguyen — Seminarian
- Dan Cotter — Director of Operations ([email protected])
- Julie Ballman — Accounting Services ([email protected])
- Lynn Renna — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Suzie Blaydes — Sacramental Coordinator ([email protected])
- Virginia Johnson — Sacramental Assistant ([email protected])
- Jenni Toutkoushian — Secretary & Stewardship ([email protected])
- Dan Marcacci — Director of Liturgy & Music ([email protected])
- Cherie Frankson — Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
- Kathy Bryan — Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
- Darby Crawford — Kitchen Manager ([email protected])
- Rachel Lichtenwalner — Marketing & Communications ([email protected])
- Dorothy Ratcliff — Promotions & Special Projects ([email protected])
- Burwell Cox — Facilities Manager ([email protected])
- Marissa Muenchen — Hospitality & Grounds ([email protected])
- Bernice Favors — Custodial Staff
Student Ministries
Student life is the heartbeat of the Catholic Center. Through Ignite, Ablaze, FOCUS, the CSA Board, retreats, and the Sunday Night Dinner, hundreds of UGA students find community and formation rooted in the Catholic tradition.
- Ignite — freshman ministry, Wednesdays 8–9:30 PM
- Ablaze — formation for all students, alternating Tuesdays 8–9:30 PM
- Seeking Water — Eucharistic adoration with praise music, alternating Tuesdays 8 PM
- FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) — Bible studies, outreach, mission trips
- Catholic Student Association (CSA) Board — student leadership
- Sunday Night Dinner — 6:00 PM fellowship meal
- Into the Deep Retreat — annual student retreat at Hidden Lake, Dahlonega
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
The Center runs a parish Religious Education program for children of registered parish families (Pre-K through Confirmation prep) and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church or adult Confirmation.
- Religious Education starting age: Pre-K (4 years by August 1)
- First Communion & Confirmation require two consecutive years of RE plus a retreat
- RE tuition: $100–$200 per family per year
- OCIA sessions begin mid-September after Labor Day
- Rite of Election held first Saturday of Lent at Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Church, Norcross
- Contact: Suzie Blaydes — [email protected]
Becoming Catholic & Adult Sacramental Preparation
OCIA (formerly RCIA) welcomes anyone interested in exploring the Catholic faith. The process moves through Inquiry, Catechumenate, Rite of Election (Lent), and Initiation at the Easter Vigil, followed by Mystagogy through Pentecost. Baptized Catholics seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation are also accommodated, and Adult Confirmation sessions are offered for Catholics who only need that sacrament.
- First Step: Period of Inquiry
- Second Step: Catechumenate
- Third Step: Rite of Election & Purification/Enlightenment (Lent)
- Fourth Step: Initiation (Easter Vigil) & Mystagogy
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at the Center is directed by Dan Marcacci, Director of Liturgy & Music. Student musicians lead worship at events like Seeking Water, alternating Tuesday nights of Eucharistic adoration paired with contemporary praise.
- Director of Liturgy & Music: Dan Marcacci ([email protected])
- Seeking Water — student-led praise & worship
Getting Involved & Service
Service is one of the Center's three stated pillars. Members are encouraged to register as either community members or students, and to participate through ministries, RE volunteer roles, the Sunday Night Dinner, FOCUS outreach, and service mission trips.
- Member Registration (parishioners)
- Student Registration
- Online Giving
- Sunday Night Dinner (community fellowship)
- FOCUS outreach and mission trips
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Phone: 706-543-2293; Fax: 706-543-2541. Email inquiries are directed to [email protected]. The center livestreams Sunday Mass and other events on YouTube and Facebook.
- Address: 1344 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30605
- Phone: 706-543-2293
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM
- Livestream: Facebook (CC at UGA) and YouTube (@CatholicDawgs)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis Clougherty, O.S.B.1952–1957
Benedictine priest who remodeled the Patmon Estate brick house into a student center.
- Fr. Cronan Kelly, O.F.M.1957–1961
First Franciscan chaplain of the Newman Club, invited by Bishop Francis Hyland.
- Fr. T.T. McNulty, O.F.M.1961–1962
Served one year before moving to minister at Georgia Tech and Emory.
- Fr. Christian Malone, O.F.M.1962–
Chaplain who oversaw the groundbreaking (March 10, 1966) and dedication (February 12, 1967) of Spalding Chapel and the new center.
- Fr. Fred Wendel2020–2022
Among the first Archdiocesan priests assigned after the Franciscans' 2020 departure; retired June 2022.
- Fr. Brian McNavish2020–present
Joined in 2020 as Archdiocesan priest; became Director in 2022 after Fr. Wendel's retirement.
- Fr. Michael Bremer2022–present
Joined as Assistant Director after Fr. Wendel's retirement.