Ministry at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Newman Center began in the late 1950’s under the pastoral care of Father Hughes, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria. At the time, Illinois State University was called Illinois State Normal University, and drew future educators from across the state and Midwest. Responding to a growing Catholic community, a Newman Club was founded under the care of Father Hughes to support and nourish the faith lives of university Catholics.
Pictured at above is the facility as it existed prior to the construction of the current ministry building. Ministry took place in this small house and all active St. Robert Bellarmine community members attended Mass at Holy Trinity Parish.
Dedicated in 1967, the current facility has served many generations of Catholic faithful in the ISU, IWU, and greater Bloomington-Normal community.
Over the last 40 years, nearly two dozen priestly and religious vocations have been born within the doors of the current facility, as well as the beginnings of countless holy Catholic families.