Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy |
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| Fisher House | |
Fisher House, the home of the Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy since 1924
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 Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy
Location in Central Cambridge
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| 52°12′17″N 0°07′12″E / 52.20459°N 0.11989°E | |
| Location | Guildhall Street, Cambridge, CB2 3NH |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | fisherhouse.org.uk |
| History | |
| Founded | 1895 |
| Founder(s) | Pope Leo XIII, Baron Anatole von Hugel, & the Bishops of England and Wales |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Overseen by the Oxford and Cambridge Catholic Education Board (OCCEB) on behalf of the BIshops of England and Wales |
The Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy, often called Fisher House, is a special place for Catholic students and staff at the University of Cambridge in England. It's named after St John Fisher, an important English saint and former leader of Cambridge University. Founded in 1895, it has been located on Guildhall Street in the heart of Cambridge since 1924. The current leader, called the Chaplain, is Fr Paul Keane.
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What Happens at Fisher House?
Fisher House welcomes all Catholic members of the University. This includes students, teachers, and researchers. Anyone else from the university who wants to join in is also welcome.
Religious services, called Mass, happen every day. On Sundays during term time, there are three Masses. These include a traditional Latin service and two English services. Besides religious services, there are also fun weekly events. On Tuesday nights, there's "Apologia," which includes dinner, a guest speaker, and a chance to relax. On Friday nights, students can gather at the "Black Swan Bar" for social time.
Some big events happen every year. These include the Fisher Mass in May, which is held at Great St Mary's church. There are also special talks called the Fisher and Langham Lectures. The Fisher Society, a student group, also organises a dinner and garden party.
The Cambridge University Catholic Association (CUCA) owns Fisher House. They also manage its money. The Chaplain is chosen by Catholic leaders in England and Wales. The Chaplain is in charge of the daily activities at Fisher House. They work with CUCA and a special bishop, Rt Revd Nicholas Hudson. The Chaplain also gets help from assistant chaplains. The Fisher Society, a student group, works closely with the Chaplains. They help organise many of the events for students.
The History of Fisher House
How Fisher House Began (1871-1924)
For a long time, Catholics were not allowed to attend universities like Oxford and Cambridge. This changed in 1871 when old laws were removed. However, the Catholic Church was still worried. They thought these universities might be bad for students' faith.
But many wealthy Catholic families wanted their children to go to these famous universities. So, a Catholic leader named Baron Anatole von Hügel asked the Pope to change the rule. In 1895, Pope Leo XIII agreed to lift the ban. He set some conditions for Catholic students. A Chaplain had to be appointed to guide them. A library with Catholic books was needed. Also, public talks on philosophy, history, and religion had to be offered.
Because of this, the Universities Catholic Education Board was created. Fr Edmund Nolan became the first Chaplain. At the same time, Cambridge students started the Fisher Society. This group was for discussions and debates. The Chaplaincy first opened in November 1886 at St Edmund's House.
In 1899, CUCA was formed to buy rooms for the Chaplaincy. It moved to different locations over the years. After a short break during the First World War, the Chaplaincy found a new home near the Union.
Fisher House Today (1924-Present)
In 1924, CUCA bought an old pub called the Black Swan for £10,000. This building on Guildhall Street became the new home for the Chaplaincy. It was renamed Fisher House. The building is very old, dating back to around 1600. It has two parts joined together. One part is the Chaplain's home, which includes a beautiful room called the Great Chamber.
Another part of the building, built in the 1800s, is just for university members. It has a common room, a kitchen, a library, and a roof terrace.
The Chapel at Fisher House was finished in 1976. It was made even better in 2011. Pope Benedict XVI even gave money for these improvements. He had visited Fisher House in 1988 when he was a Cardinal. A special artwork was added in 2008. It's a copy of a very old painting of Jesus on the cross by an artist named Cimabue. This large artwork was made using old Italian methods from the 1200s.
Mgr Alfred Gilbey, who was the Chaplain for a very long time (1932-1965), is buried in the courtyard. He helped save Fisher House from being torn down in the 1960s. But Fisher House is more than just its buildings. It's about the students and university members who come there. They worship, learn, and enjoy each other's company, making it a special place.
See also
- Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy
- Oxford University Newman Society
- Oxford and Cambridge Catholic Education Board
