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Whether seeking fellowship, community, or a quiet place to pray, members of the Christopher Newport community have access to spaces and organizations that support a wide range of faiths.
From Pope Chapel, the central interfaith space dedicated to spiritual growth, to a diverse array of religious organizations, there are many places to find a supportive network.
The newest space on campus, located in the Trible Library, is a dedicated prayer room for Muslim students, faculty and staff. Youssef Chouhoud, associate professor of political science, offered guidance on creating the space, and says it all came to life in a quick and thoughtful way.
“Toward the end of the Spring 2024 semester, Provost Quentin Kidd reached out to me about the lack of a dedicated area for Muslim students on campus and his desire to establish a suitable space. He was spurred to action simply by a student asking if he could recommend a location where they could offer the five daily prayers prescribed in Islam,” Chouhoud said.
A few days later, Kidd let him know that there was an area in the Trible Library that fit the bill.
“Not long thereafter, President Kelly would inaugurate that room as a dedicated area for Muslim students at CNU to gather and pray,” he said. “The speed with which the administration moved to bring this nascent idea to fruition was remarkable. Provost Kidd and President Kelly made clear that Muslim students are not an afterthought on this campus. Their thoughtful and decisive action was truly heartening.”
The new prayer room inside Trible complements the many worship spaces available around campus, reinforcing CNU’s commitment to spiritual inclusivity. Located just outside of the library is Pope Chapel, the central hub for those seeking a quiet place for meditation or communal worship. Pope, a welcoming space for people of all faiths, is host to services, prayer sessions, and special religious events.
The Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) at CNU works with a local Catholic church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and offers Sunday Mass at Pope Chapel at noon during the school year. Additionally, CCM has a house off campus, located at 91 Shoe Lane, where students can gather to pray in its Blessed Sacrament Chapel and enjoy fellowship events such as Sunday Suppers and Milkshake Monday. There are also a number of Small Group Bible studies that meet throughout the week on campus or at the CCM house.
"College is the ideal time to grow in your faith life. As a college student, you have more freedom than ever before in your calendar, and there will never be another point in your life where you will be living in close proximity to so many peers, both of your faith and of other beliefs. Embrace this time as an opportunity to strengthen these bonds of fellowship as you seek to grow deeper in faith together," said Chris Roy, Director of CCM at CNU.
Christopher Newport also has an active Hillel chapter, which supports Jewish students with a variety of cultural, religious and social events. The organization strives to build relationships between students and professors, and connect with other members of the greater Jewish community. Students who join have the opportunity to bond during the social and cultural events the group offers, as well as at its religious programming.
“CNU Hillel is the organization for Jewish students on campus. It is the place where Jewish students can gather, celebrate their faith, share in Shabbat and holiday meals, have social events, and educate others about the Jewish faith,” said Rabbi Gershon Litt.
Litt, who advises the chapter, said he hopes all Jewish students on campus will consider Hillel to be a “home away from home.”
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is another resource for religious and spiritual life on campus. Vidal Dickerson, Christopher Newport’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, serves on Interfaith America’s Interfaith Leaders in Higher Education Council, which allows access to mini-grants and other resources to host campus programming promoting interfaith cooperation.
“Students and employees can also receive a professional certificate in interfaith leadership,” added Dickerson.
The following is a list of registered student faith and spirituality organizations you’ll find on campus. More information can be found here.
- Catalyst College: An on-campus organization with a focus on connecting the local church community from Catalyst with CNU students.
- Catholic Campus Ministry: CCM is a ministry of outreach and evangelization firmly rooted in the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church. It offers Mass, Confession, and other Catholic Sacraments, along with community-building events.
- Christian Student Fellowship: The mission of Christian Student Fellowship is to foster student connections with Christ, the Church and the community. It accomplishes its mission through weekly gatherings, small group Bible studies, and one-on-one discipleship.
- Cru: CNU Cru is a ministry with a mission to use the gospel captures hearts, transform lives and launch men and women into a lifelong adventure.
- Delight Ministries: Delight is a nationwide ministry with a mission to invite college women into Christ-centered communities. It offers outreach community events, Bible studies, service, and weekly fellowship.
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at CNU: FCA exists to provide a Christian community for students, athletes. It combines athletic activities with Christian fellowship and Bible study.
- Flourish CNU: Flourish is a Christ-centered, progressive, social justice oriented, local and ecumenical campus ministry operating at Christopher Newport University and in the surrounding community.
- Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IV): IV at CNU exists to see students drawn into and developed by a saving relationship with Jesus Christ through the witness of our community. Everyone is welcome at its weekly gathering, our small groups, or special events.
- Muslim Student Association: This organization seeks to introduce the community and familiarize it with Islamic culture and thought by sharing the spirit of Islam with Muslims and non-Muslims. It brings together Muslim and non-Muslim students interested in learning about Islam, combating Islamophobia, and fostering interfaith dialogue. The organization strives to create connections with other faith groups around campus.
- Orthodox Campus Fellowship (OCF): OCF transforms the lives of college students by guiding them along the path to Jesus Christ through His Church, cultivating a campus community of worship, witness, service, fellowship and education. OCF inspires students to commit to living an Orthodox Christian way of life daily.
- Reformed University Fellowship: RUF is the campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), welcoming students from any and all walks of life. It describes itself as being “here for the ‘convinced’ and the ‘unconvinced.’" Present on more than a hundred campuses in the United States, RUF brings to CNU a heart for God and a love for the University campus.
- Sigma Alpha Omega: A Christian social sorority founded first in Christ and then in unity through sisterhood.
- THRIVE: THRIVE is a student-led ministry that aims to unite people in the name of Jesus through prayer, worship, and building community among believers across campus
- Young Life: Young Life is an international non-profit organization that focuses on mentoring and sharing life with area teenagers.
There are also many organizations on campus that offer opportunities for worship, fellowship and religious education. They include:
- Baptist Collegiate Ministries: Provides a community for Baptist students and others interested in exploring Baptist faith and practice.
- Hillel: Supports Jewish students with cultural, religious, and social events.
- More Light Presbyterians at Christopher Newport: The mission of More Light Presbyterians is to work for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in society.
- United Campus Ministries: A Christian Community providing a safe space to grow in faith.
- Wesley Campus Ministry: Serves Methodist students and others interested in Methodist practices and teachings.
Weekly Worship Gatherings
- Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ International): Every Wednesday at 7 p.m., nearly 100 students gather at the Pope Chapel to worship, laugh, learn from God’s Word, and discuss its impact on daily life. Cru’s mission is stated as helping to connect people with Jesus Christ and help them experience God's love and plan for their lives.
- Reformed University Fellowship (RUF): RUF is a campus ministry that welcomes students from all backgrounds. Through authentic relationships and the study of God’s Word, students discover Christ’s love, find their significance in God’s redemptive story, and engage in the life of His church. RUF meets every Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the Crow's Nest and is led by Peter Lyon.
Worship Opportunities nearby
- There are numerous local churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples representing a wide array of religious traditions close to campus. Many of these places of worship offer students transportation options or carpooling arrangements.