About Washington University Newman Center · Clayton, Missouri
The Catholic Student Center (CSC) at Washington University is a college-ministry community housed in a 1910 mansion at 6352 Forsyth Blvd in Clayton, Missouri, just steps from the WashU Danforth Campus. Operated as an agency of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and rooted in the historic Newman Club tradition, the CSC serves undergraduate and graduate students of all faith backgrounds through daily and Sunday Mass, the sacraments, retreats, faith-sharing groups, service trips, and one-on-one spiritual direction. It is led by Chaplain Fr. Brian Fallon and a team of campus ministers, deacons, and staff, supported by a wider community of CSC Friends — alumni and neighbors who worship, volunteer, and sustain the ministry.
- Established
- 1927 (study club); 1948 (officially chartered as a Newman Club)
- Rector
- Rev. Brian Fallon (Chaplain/Director, succeeded Fr. Gary Braun in 2023)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
The CSC is a joyful, mission-driven campus ministry where every student — Catholic or not, searching or devout — is known, loved, and cared for. Daily and Sunday Masses, year-round adoration, Reconciliation, and the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) open the sacraments widely, while Core Communities, the Upper Room program, Gratia Plena women's group, retreats like Awakening, and one-on-one spiritual direction help students grow in prayer and friendship. Beyond formation, students serve the St. Louis community through Service Saturdays, immersion trips, study-break service events, Sunday Supper, and weekly Soup & Sweets — finding both a faith home and a place to put faith into action.
Mass times at Washington University Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Face-to-face or anonymous confession available by appointment — contact Fr. Brian
Adoration times
- Adoration resumes in August (academic year)
About the Catholic Student Center
The Catholic Student Center at Washington University (CSC) is a joy-filled community that includes Washington University students and a dedicated group of alumni and friends. The CSC is an agency of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, established as a Newman Center to help students grow in their Catholic faith during college and graduate school. Students' spiritual growth is supported by a team of professional campus ministry staff, a priest, and deacons. Throughout their time at WashU, all students have access to the warm community near the Danforth campus and to the CSC's ministry and outreach presence at shared sacred spaces on the Washington University and University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy (UHSP) campuses.
- Mission: every student encountered is known, loved, and cared for; walked with in the way of Christ to become compassionate, courageous leaders.
- Welcomes students of any or no faith.
- Operated as an agency of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
History of the CSC
From a 1927 study club to a 1948 Newman Club meeting in the basement of Our Lady of Lourdes, the CSC grew under Msgr. Gerard N. Glynn (appointed 1950) into a community of nearly 2,500 students across multiple St. Louis schools. In 1956 the ministry purchased the 1910 Taylor mansion at 6352 Forsyth, added a southwest wing in 1964, and completed a $3.5 million renovation in 2007. Fr. Gary Braun shepherded the Center for 32 years (1991–2023), growing registered Catholic students from about 45 to nearly 1,200, opening the building to 24-hour student access, and re-signing the lawn as the 'Catholic Student Center.' Fr. Brian Fallon succeeded him as Chaplain in 2023.
- 1927 — Catholic student study club founded at WashU.
- 1948 — Officially approved as a Newman Club; met in the basement of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
- 1950 — Msgr. Gerard N. Glynn appointed to head the Newman group.
- 1956 — Current Forsyth house purchased with the help of generous sponsors.
- 1960 — Community grown to ~2,500 students from multiple area colleges and hospitals.
- 1964 — Southwest wing added to the residence.
- 1989 — Msgr. Glynn retired (briefly replaced by Fr. Larch Fiedler).
- 1991 — Fr. Gary Braun appointed Chaplain/Director.
- 2007 — $3.5 million renovation completed; chapel expanded and updated.
- 2023 — Fr. Brian Fallon succeeds Fr. Gary Braun as Chaplain.
Our Team
The CSC staff includes a Chaplain-priest, deacons, campus ministers, ministry and advancement directors, and operations personnel who together support the spiritual, pastoral, and administrative life of the Center. Students and CSC Friends are encouraged to reach out directly to any staff member by email or by stopping by the building.
- Fr. Brian Fallon — Chaplain (priest)
- Deacon Jim Dryden — Director of Advancement ([email protected])
- Deacon Phil Hengen
- Troy Woytek — Director of Ministry ([email protected])
- Jen Quinn — Campus Minister
- MyLan Metzger — Campus Minister
- Kate Sanderson — Campus Minister
- Laura Mazuch
- Lisa Komp
- Theresa Williams — Campus Ministry Intern ([email protected])
- Casey Pierce — Campus Minister Intern ([email protected])
- Mary Greene — Campus Minister Intern ([email protected])
- Grace Anderson
- Amir Tadzic — Facilities Maintenance Manager ([email protected])
- Sr. Catherine Kirwan-Avila
- Alicia Feito
- Joe Schoen
- Carol Jones — sacramental coordinator (Baptism, Marriage, Funeral requests)
Mass and Sacraments
The CSC celebrates a robust academic-year Mass schedule as well as a year-round Sunday 11 a.m. Mass. Confession is offered by appointment with Fr. Brian, and Adoration resumes each fall with the academic year. The Center follows Archdiocese of St. Louis guidelines for who is eligible to receive Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Funeral rites — generally requiring at least six months of regular Mass attendance and engagement with the CSC community.
- Sunday 11:00 a.m. Mass (year round)
- Sunday 4:30 p.m. Mass followed by Sunday Supper (academic year; resumes Aug 23, 2026)
- Monday and Thursday 12:05 p.m. Masses
- Tuesday 5:30 p.m. Mass followed by Soup & Sweets
- Wednesday 5:30 p.m. Mass — or monthly Spanish Mass
- Move-in Mass for freshmen and families (Saturday before classes)
- Confession by appointment with Fr. Brian
- Adoration (resumes in August)
- OCIA for adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full communion
Faith Groups
Faith-sharing in small communities is one of the signature ways students grow at the CSC. Core Communities are the flagship: student-led groups of five to eight that meet weekly to share life and faith through the Gospel. The Upper Room is a more intensive, semester-long formation with a retreat, bi-weekly small group, and one-on-one mentorship with a campus minister. Gratia Plena is an open weekly group for undergraduate women at WashU seeking faith, growth, and friendship.
- Core Communities — weekly, student-led, 5–8 members
- Upper Room Program — semester commitment with retreat, bi-weekly group, and staff mentorship
- Gratia Plena — weekly women's faith and fellowship group
- CSC Young Family Ministry — Core Community groups and children's holiday parties
Retreats
The CSC offers a spectrum of retreats throughout the year — from a few hours, to a full day, to weekend and even weeklong formats — designed for undergraduates, graduate students and young adults, athletes, and anyone seeking space to step back from campus life. The Busy Person's Retreat meets students where they are with twenty minutes of daily prayer and a short spiritual direction conversation over a week.
- Awakening Retreat — weekend retreat for undergrad and grad students (next: Nov 20–22, 2026)
- Freshman Escape / Sophomore Splash — day at a nearby lake house
- Busy Person's Retreat — daily prayer and spiritual direction over one week (typically spring)
- GSYA Retreat — annual retreat for Grad Student & Young Adult ministry (next: Jan 30–31, 2026)
- Specialized retreats for student-athletes, women, upperclassmen, and Lenten seasons
Service and Social Justice
Putting faith into action is central to CSC life. Students serve monthly through Service Saturdays — local outings to food pantries, a St. Louis women's center, and a community garden — and gather during exam weeks for Study Break Service events. Each year the CSC also offers international service-immersion trips and occasional domestic trips, inviting students to encounter Christ in those on the margins.
- Service Saturdays — monthly local service
- Service Immersion Trips — international and domestic
- Study Break Service — weekday drop-in service (card making, hygiene kits, etc.)
- Other Opportunities — communicated through Newman Notes, social media, events page, and Student GroupMe
Get Involved — Volunteering
The CSC runs on volunteers — from liturgical roles at Mass to cooking Sunday Supper and Soup & Sweets to mentoring OCIA candidates. Signing up is one of the easiest ways to belong, and many roles flex around student schedules.
- Sunday Supper Volunteers (contact Alicia Feito)
- Soup & Sweets Club (contact Diana Svec)
- Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Greeter, and Music at Mass
- OCIA Sponsor — accompany candidates into the Catholic Church
- Landscape and facilities volunteering
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Gerard N. Glynn1950–1989
Appointed to lead the Newman group in 1950; oversaw the 1956 purchase of the Forsyth house and the 1964 wing addition; grew the community from ~1,000 to ~2,500 students; briefly replaced by Fr. Larch Fiedler before his retirement in 1989.
- Father Gary Braun1991–2023
Appointed Chaplain/Director in 1991. Replaced the 'Newman Center' lawn sign with 'Catholic Student Center'; opened the lower level and first floor to 24-hour student access; his homilies drew the broader CSC Friends community; registered Catholic students grew from ~45 to ~1,200; oversaw the 2007 $3.5M renovation; retired after 32 years of service.
- Father Brian Fallon2023–present
Succeeded Fr. Gary Braun as Chaplain in 2023; leads the CSC staff team and presides at campus Masses.