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 | England |
| 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, also 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 person who was a martyr and a leader at Cambridge a long time ago.
Fisher House was started in 1895. Since 1924, it has been located on Guildhall Street in the middle of Cambridge. The main priest, or Chaplain, there today is Fr Paul Keane.
Contents
What Happens at Fisher House?
Fisher House is a welcoming place for all Catholic students and staff at the University. This includes undergraduates (students working on their first degree) and Fellows (senior members of the university). Anyone else from the university who wants to join in is also welcome.
Daily Activities and Events
- Mass: A Catholic church service called Mass is held every day. On Sundays during term time, there are three Masses.
- Weekly Events: During university terms, there are regular events. These include "Apologia" on Tuesday nights, which involves supper, a guest speaker, and a prayer service. On Friday nights, there's a social gathering at the Black Swan Bar.
- Special Annual Events: Some important events happen once a year. These include the Fisher Mass in May, the Fisher and Langham Lectures, and a special dinner and garden party around May Week. There's also a memorial Mass in November for a former Chaplain, Alfred Gilbey.
How Fisher House is Run
The Cambridge University Catholic Association (CUCA) owns Fisher House. They also help manage its money. The main priest, the Chaplain, is chosen by the Bishops of England and Wales. He works with CUCA and a Bishop's representative to run the Chaplaincy every day. The Chaplain also has Assistant Chaplains who help him. Students have their own group called the Fisher Society, which works closely with the Chaplains and plans many events.
History of Fisher House
Early Beginnings (1871-1924)
For a long time, Catholic students were not allowed to attend Oxford and Cambridge universities. This changed in 1871 when old laws were removed. However, the Catholic Church was worried about students losing their faith.
In 1895, Pope Leo XIII allowed Catholics to attend these universities again. But there were conditions:
- A Chaplain (priest) had to be appointed.
- A library with Catholic books needed to be created.
- Public talks on philosophy, history, and religion had to be organized.
Because of this, the Universities Catholic Education Board was formed. Fr Edmund Nolan became the first Chaplain. Students at Cambridge also started the Fisher Society, which was a group for discussions and debates. The Chaplaincy first found a home at St Edmund's House.
Over the years, the Chaplaincy moved to different locations in Cambridge. It was at 2 Green Street, then Llandaff House, and later 50 Bridge Street and 2 Round Church Street. There was a short break during the First World War.
Fisher House Today (1924-Present)
In 1924, a very old pub called the Black Swan on Guildhall Street was bought. This building was special because it was a "Grade II listed building," meaning it's protected for its historical importance. It cost £10,000 at the time. This became the new home for the Chaplaincy and the Chaplain, and it was renamed Fisher House.
The building is made up of two houses from around the year 1600. They are joined together and form the Chaplain's home. Inside, there's a beautiful room called the Great Chamber.
A newer part of the building, added 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 is surprisingly large. It was finished in 1976 and made even better in 2011. Pope Benedict XVI, who later became Pope, even gave money for these improvements. He had visited Fisher House in 1988 when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
A special copy of a crucifix by a famous artist named Cimabue was added to the Chapel in 2008. This large artwork, about 2 meters tall, was made using old Italian methods from the 1200s.
Mgr Alfred Gilbey was the Chaplain for a very long time, from 1932 to 1965. He is buried in the courtyard. He helped save Fisher House from being torn down in the 1960s. However, the true spirit of Fisher House comes from the students and university members who gather there to worship and enjoy each other's company.
List of the Chaplains
- Fr Edmund Nolan (1896–1905)
- Mgr Arthur Barnes (1905–1916)
- Fr James Bernard Marshall (1918–1922)
- Fr John Lopes (1922–1928)
- Fr George MacGillivray (1928–1932)
- Mgr Alfred Gilbey (1932–1965)
- Fr Richard Incledon (1965–1977)
- Fr Maurice Couve de Murville (1977–1982)
- Dom Christopher Jenkins OSB (1982–1988)
- Fr John Osman (1988–1994)
- Fr Allan White OP (1994–2000)
- Fr Alban McCoy OFM Conv (2000–2013)
- Mgr Mark Langham (2013–2021)
- Dom Alban Hood OSB (2021–2022)
- Fr Paul Keane (2022-present)
See also
- Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy
- Oxford University Newman Society
- Oxford and Cambridge Catholic Education Board
