About Southern Oregon University Newman Center · Ashland, Oregon
The Southern Oregon University Newman Center — formally the Walsh Memorial Newman Center — is the Catholic campus ministry serving students at Southern Oregon University (SOU) and Rogue Community College (RCC) in Ashland, Oregon. Housed under the umbrella of Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Parish at 987 Hillview Drive, the Newman Center provides worship, fellowship, service, and faith formation geared toward undergraduate students and other young adults in the Rogue Valley. It is named in honor of Dr. James J. Walsh, co-founder of the very first Newman Club at the University of Pennsylvania in 1893. The ministry is part of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon and gathers weekly on the SOU campus in Britt Hall as well as at the parish church.
- Patron
- Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman (patron of the entire Newman Apostolate)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Why belong here
The Newman Center exists to help students at Southern Oregon University and Rogue Community College retain, develop, and deepen their Catholic faith during the sometimes-disorienting college years — through Sunday and weekday Mass, daily rosary, perpetual adoration in the parish chapel, and weekly Thursday-evening fellowship and catechesis on the SOU campus in Britt Hall. Whether you are a lifelong Catholic looking for a peer community, a returning student exploring your faith again, or simply curious about what Catholicism teaches, the Center offers a welcoming, low-pressure doorway onto the SOU campus Catholic life.
Mass times at Southern Oregon University Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Saturdays: 8:15–8:45 am (before First Saturday Mass) and 9:30–11:00 am (no afternoon confessions on First Saturdays); see parish bulletin for all other days.
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament available 24 hours a day in the Adoration Chapel (security code available from the parish office)
- First Friday Adoration: Friday 9:30 am – 9:00 pm
Identity & Mission
The SOU Newman Center identifies itself as the community of the Walsh Newman Center of Southern Oregon. Its stated mission is to be an example of Christ's love and to help students retain, develop, and deepen their faith through fellowship, service, and worship. It reaches out in particular to students attending Southern Oregon University and Rogue Community College, and welcomes young adults of all faith backgrounds — including those who are simply curious about the Catholic tradition but feel intimidated by the formality of parish Mass.
Name & History
The center is named the Walsh Memorial Newman Center after Dr. James J. Walsh, who co-founded the very first Newman Club in the United States at the University of Pennsylvania in 1893. The archdiocese-owned property at 1150 Ashland Street, Ashland, was separately assessed as 'Walsh Memorial Newman Center' by Jackson County in 2004. The Rev. Joseph V. Betschart — pastor of neighboring Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church — served as director and chaplain of the Newman Center in the years before being named president-rector of Mount Angel Seminary in 2012.
- Named for Dr. James J. Walsh, co-founder of the first U.S. Newman Club (1893)
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon property at 1150 Ashland St., Ashland
- Former chaplain Rev. Joseph V. Betschart now president-rector of Mount Angel Seminary
Student Fellowship & Education
The Newman Center gathers SOU and RCC students for weekly fellowship and catechesis on Thursday evenings from 6:00–8:00 pm. Meetings typically take place on the SOU campus in room 121 of Britt Hall, with additional gatherings in the OLM Parish Hall / St. Dominic Room at 987 Hillview Drive. SOU events listings have also placed Newman meetings in the Stevenson Union Guanajuato Room (SU 315). Student contact for the group is Matthew Millenheft.
- Thursday evenings, 6:00–8:00 pm
- SOU campus, Britt Hall, room 121 (usual meeting location)
- Alternate location: OLM Parish Hall / St. Dominic Room, 987 Hillview Drive
- Contact: Matthew Millenheft
Contact & Location
The Newman Center shares its parish office with Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church at 987 Hillview Drive, Ashland, OR 97520. Office hours are Monday–Thursday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. The parish phone is (541) 482-1146, and the office email is [email protected]. The Newman Center's own historic building sits at 1150 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520.
- Parish / mailing address: 987 Hillview Drive, Ashland, OR 97520
- Historic Newman Center building: 1150 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520
- Phone: (541) 482-1146
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Website: https://ourladymt.org/the-newman-center
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph V. Betschart
Served as pastor of Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church and as director and chaplain of the Walsh Memorial Newman Center at SOU before being appointed president-rector of Mount Angel Seminary effective July 1, 2012.