Campus Ministry has been present at the University of Memphis since 1942. During a time in which universities were becoming increasingly secular, Newman Centers were an important religious presence at public educational institutions.*

The Franciscans played a crucial role in founding the Newman group at Memphis State College, holding weekly meetings in college classrooms and organizing various activities with the students. In the 1940s and 50s, campus ministry was aided by not only the Franciscans, but also the Paulist Fathers. In 1961, a generous donation from the Madonna Circle, Montesi family, and Harwood's, the Newman Foundation was able to purchase property adjacent to the campus at 3625 Mynders Avenue.* 

The 1960s were a tumultuous time for our nation and that energy was reflected on the campus of Memphis State University. Twice during this decade the Newman Center would be used as a place of refuge by students when civil rights and anti-war protests on campus turned violent. This decade was also marked by an expansion of the Newman Center and an increase in Catholics enrolled at Memphis. In 1965, the Back Hall was added to the Catholic Student Center to address the needs of the 1600 Catholic students who enrolled for the fall semester.* 

Meanwhile Dominicans from St. Peter Parish in Downtown Memphis were helping develop a Catholic ministry presence at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. They celebrated Mass on campus and supported the UT students.*

With the formation of the Diocese of Memphis in 1971, campus ministry was strengthened as an initiative of the diocesan youth office. Ministries at Memphis and UT-Memphis would continue and grow under the leadership of Fr. John Boll and Father R.B. Williams, both Dominican priests. They would also expand their ministry to the students at Southwestern College, now Rhodes College. *

During the 1980s and early 1990s, the campus ministry programs were led by a succession of several priests, religious sisters, and lay ministers. At the Memphis State University Catholic Student Organization student participation grew and five students held leadership positions of president, vice president, secretary, historian, and treasurer.*
 
The new millennium brought many changes to Memphis State University including a name change to the University of Memphis. The University Catholic Center also transitioned, becoming the Catholic Student Center. In 2005, a chapel was built in the back hall building under the guidance and financial support of Joe Barnett, David Barnett, Bill Hecht, and Tom Wilson. In May of 2013 Bishop J. Terry Steib appointed Fr. Patrick Gallagher as Chaplain for the University of Memphis. The ministry began offering weekday Mass three days a week and student membership continued to grow. Missionaries from the Fellowship of Catholic University Students began serving Catholic Campus ministry in August of 2015, resulting in the expansion of outreach to new students and the establishment of regular Bible studies, discipleship training, international mission trips, and national conference attendance.
 
Catholic Campus Ministry continues to serve college students around West Tennessee through support of ministry efforts to The University of Tennessee in Martin, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Rhodes College, and University of Memphis. It also works with students at other area colleges to find a Catholic home wherever they may study.

*Adapted from "A History of Campus Minister at the University Catholic Center" by Fr. Derran Combs, OFM