About University Catholic Center at Emory University · Atlanta, Georgia
The University Catholic Center at Emory University is the Catholic campus ministry serving the Emory, Oxford College of Emory, and Agnes Scott College communities in Atlanta, Georgia. Housed since 1967 at 1753 North Decatur Road NE, across from the Emory University Law School, the Center is an agency of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and has been shepherded by the Dominican Order (Province of St. Martin de Porres) since 2014 under Chaplain Fr. John Boll, O.P. It complements students' secular education with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, helping them grow into mature Catholic adults able to live faithfully and morally, and is built on the four Dominican pillars of community, prayer, study, and preaching.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan (the on-site chapel is named the Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Chapel)
- Rector
- Fr. John Boll, O.P. (Chaplain and Director)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
The University Catholic Center welcomes any Catholic student at Emory, Oxford, or Agnes Scott who wants to live their faith alongside a vibrant, supportive community. It offers daily and Sunday Mass in multiple campus locations, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation before every Mass or by appointment, student-led Bible study and theology discussion groups like Quaero, and a full calendar of service opportunities from local Atlanta outreach (Catholic Charities, Our House, St. Francis Table) to long-term mission programs. As a Dominican ministry built on the four pillars of community, prayer, study, and preaching, it pairs spiritual formation with serious intellectual engagement — exactly the rhythm a college student can plug into.
Mass times at University Catholic Center at Emory University
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every Mass (Reconciliation is offered before all scheduled Masses at both Cannon Chapel and the Catholic Center)
- By appointment — contact the chaplain to schedule at another time
Adoration times
- Thursdays at 8:00 PM (fall and spring semesters only) — as listed on the ministry's Newman Connection profile
Who We Are
The University Catholic Center is a ministry of the Dominican Order, guided by four pillars of spirituality: community, prayer, study, and preaching. It complements a student's secular education with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cultivate a faithful and moral mind and heart, while also serving as an informational and pastoral resource for inquirers into the Catholic faith. The community includes students, an active parents-and-supporters 'family,' and a staff of friars and lay ministers.
- We Are Dominican — ministry of the Order of Preachers
- We Are Students — passionate group striving for holiness through fellowship, service, and prayer
- We Are Family — community of caring supporters who sustain ministry activities
- We Are Supporters — parents and friends who partner in catechesis and fellowship
Our Chaplain
Fr. John Boll, O.P., a Dominican priest of the Province of St. Martin de Porres, has served as Chaplain and Director since August 2014, bringing over 20 years of campus ministry experience. In his welcome message he invites incoming and returning students to take part in the many ongoing events and to consider joining the student leadership council, which plans the majority of Center activities.
- Fr. John Boll, O.P. — Chaplain and Director
- Reachable at (706) 620-3392 or [email protected]
- Appointed by the Dominican Province (Province of St. Martin de Porres)
Our History
Founded in 1967 when the Archdiocese of Atlanta under Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan purchased the house at 1753 North Decatur Road as the Newman House, the Center grew from a 30-member community serving Emory and Agnes Scott into a multi-campus Catholic campus ministry. Holy Cross, diocesan, and Dominican priests have led the ministry in turn; the building was substantially renovated in the early 1980s under Fr. George Reynolds, O.P., and the chapel was redesigned and consecrated in 2001. The Dominican Order resumed oversight in 2014 with Fr. John Boll, O.P.
- 1967 — Newman House founded under Archbishop Hallinan; Fr. Plasid Pierson, OSB first director
- Late 1960s — Fr. Joseph Geniesse, CSC (Holy Cross) takes over; Masses move to Law School auditorium and then Cannon Chapel
- 1977–1981 — Fr. Joseph Cavallo; Georgia State University added; liturgies at White Hall
- 1981–1983 — Dominican order formally agrees to provide ministers; Fr. Victor Brown, O.P. and Fr. Mark Geary, O.P. serve
- 1983–1984 — Fr. George Reynolds, O.P. renovates and renames the building the Catholic Center
- 1995–2002 — Fr. James Schillinger grows community and staff (Louanne Bachner, Tom Burke)
- September 8, 2001 — Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Chapel consecrated by Fr. Dom M. Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O.
- Pre-2014 — Msgr. Frank Giusta serves as Director and Emory Healthcare chaplain
- August 2014 — Fr. John Boll, O.P. appointed by Dominican Province
Bible Study and Small Groups
The Center runs a vibrant calendar of student-led formation groups meeting at the Catholic Center during the school year, alongside international-spouse outreach.
- Student Bible Study — weekly student-led small group during the school year
- Quaero: Theology for Non-Theologians — 4-week theology discussion group open to all
- Pints with a Friar — informal conversations about Church teaching and current topics
- International Wives Group — community for wives and children of international students, researchers, and faculty
Service and Missions
Each year the Center organizes multiple local-service opportunities in the Atlanta community and points students toward longer-term mission and volunteer programs. Students can plug into established partners or coordinate a project of their own with staff help.
- Local partners: Catholic Charities Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity Atlanta, Hands On ATL, MedShare, Our House Inc., Pregnancy Aid Clinic, St. Francis Table Soup Kitchen
- Long-term/immersive options listed: FOCUS, NET Ministry, Catholic Heart Work Camp, Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC), Augustinian Volunteers, Dominican Missionaries of St. Catherine of Siena, Biking For Babies, Cristo Rey Jesuit, Farm of the Child, Fidesco USA, Franciscan Mission Service, Good Shepherd Volunteers, House of Brigid, Lay Mission Helpers, Life Teen, Maggie's Place, Oxbow Farm, Project SERVE, Red Cloud Volunteer Program, Royal Family KIDS, Seton Teaching Fellows, Saint Kateri Rosary Walk Internships, Vagabond Missions, Vincentian Mission Corps, and more
- See the Catholic Volunteer Network for additional options
Special Events
Beyond the weekly rhythm of Mass and small groups, the Center marks the seasons of the liturgical year and the academic year with special celebrations.
- Ash Wednesday — multiple Mass times at Cannon Chapel, Agnes Scott College Chapel, Catholic Center, Oxford College Day Chapel, and Emory Convocation Hall
- Easter Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil at 8:00 PM in Cannon Chapel
- Easter Sunday — 9:00 AM at Cannon Chapel; 12:00 PM at Oxford College Day Chapel; no evening Mass
- Solemnities of the Immaculate Conception, Nativity, and Mary Mother of God (Christmas and January 1 schedule noted on the calendar)
- Graduation Sunday Mass — final Sunday Mass of spring semester blessing graduating students
Our House (the Catholic Center Building)
The Center's home at 1753 North Decatur Road NE is a converted house that has been progressively remodeled into a Catholic campus hub. The chapel inside (the Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Chapel) is always open and hosts noon Mass Monday through Thursday with confessions before Mass. The building offers free, fast Wi-Fi and acts as a gathering place for coffee, prayer, study, and community between events.
- Address: 1753 N Decatur Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
- Across the street from the Emory University Law School
- Chapel open daily; noon Mass Mon–Thu with confessions before Mass
- Free Wi-Fi
- Office hours (school year): Tue–Fri, 12 PM – 6 PM
Staff and Contact
The staff combines a Dominican chaplain, a lay campus minister, and dedicated administrators for liturgy, music, and international outreach.
- Fr. John Boll, O.P. — Chaplain, (706) 620-3392, [email protected]
- Michael Zauche — Campus Minister, (706) 620-3393, [email protected]
- Stephanie Windon — Ministry Administrator, (706) 620-3391, [email protected]
- Vickie Voll — Liturgical Coordinator, [email protected]
- Mike Bertram — Music Director, [email protected]
- Victoria Schwartz — International Group Coordinator, [email protected]
- General phone: (404) 636-7237
- Hospital chaplaincy for Emory University Hospital is provided through St. Thomas More Catholic Church, (404) 378-4588
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Plasid Pierson, OSB1967–
First Director of the Newman House; early focus was draft counseling.
- Fr. Bill Hoffmanafter 1967
Diocesan priest who succeeded Fr. Pierson; rented rooms in the house to graduate students.
- Fr. Joseph Geniesse, CSC1968–
Holy Cross priest; other Holy Cross members joined him in the house; Mass eventually moved to the Law School auditorium and then to Cannon Chapel.
- Fr. Joseph Cavallo1977–1981
Diocesan priest; added Georgia State University as a third school served; Catholic population grew to ~300 registered members; liturgies moved to White Hall.
- Ms. Susan Sendlebach1979–1983
Lay minister.
- Fr. Victor Brown, O.P.1981–1983
Dominican campus minister for Emory, Agnes Scott, Georgia State, and Oxford College.
- Fr. Mark Geary, O.P.1981–1983
Dominican campus minister alongside Fr. Brown.
- Fr. George Reynolds, O.P.1983–1984
Dominican; oversaw major renovations that converted the Newman House into the Catholic Center, with a residence on the second floor.
- Fr. James Schillinger, S.T.L.1995–2002
Diocesan priest with prior campus ministry experience; community and Community Council grew under his leadership; Louanne Bachner (liturgy) and Tom Burke (music) joined staff.
- Msgr. Frank Giustapre-2014–2014
Director; also Catholic chaplain for Emory Healthcare; reassigned in August 2014 to serve as chaplain at Georgia State University.
- Fr. John Boll, O.P.8/2014–Present
Appointed by the Dominican Province (now Province of St. Martin de Porres); brought 20+ years of campus ministry experience.