When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What are you looking for”
They said, “Rabbi, where are you staying?”
“Come,” He replied, “and you will see.”
So, they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him.
It was about the tenth hour. (John 1:35-39)
TO A RELEVANT PROGRAM in our day
History of the Christian Fellowship
Christian Fellowship has been a part of the Bridgewater State University campus for over 100 years. Founded in 1840 by
education reformer Horace Mann as the Bridgewater State Normal School, the University began as the third normal school in Massachusetts, dedicated to professional teacher training. It is the oldest of these institutions still located on its original site.
Over time, Bridgewater State University evolved from a Normal School to a Teachers College (1932), then to a State College (1960), and finally to a University (2010). While expanding from teacher preparation into a comprehensive institution offering diverse liberal arts and graduate programs, the University has consistently maintained its commitment to public service and education.
Christian Fellowship, as a United Protestant student organization, has been an active presence on the Bridgewater campus
for more than 70years and continues today as the Christian Fellowship Club, recognized as part of the University community.
Originally formed through several denominational student associations and later supported by student workers and part-time chaplaincy, Christian Fellowship reached a significant milestone in 1967 when it became the first State College Protestant
organization in Massachusetts to employ a full-time Protestant chaplain.
The Christian Fellowship Center, purchased in 1965, serves as the home of the Chaplain and family and as a central gathering place for students. It hosts Christian Fellowship meetings and provides a residential “Faith and Life” community where
students live together in shared spiritual formation.
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The tradition of a full-time Chaplain at the Christian Fellowship Center began in the early 1900s with Rev. May.
Prior to his service, no written records are available, and the earliest history of the ministry has been preserved
primarily through oral tradition.
Since that time, the ministry of the Christian Fellowship Center has been faithfully carried forward by the following full-time Chaplains:
- Rev. Richard Huffines (1957–1982), United Methodist minister
- Rev. Peggy Stearn (1982–1987), United Church of Christ minister
- Rev. Dr. Douglas Williamson, Ph.D. (1987–1989), United Methodist minister
- Rev. Dr. Chang-Hee Son, Th.D. (1989–2025), United Methodist minister
- Rev. Dr. Esther Jung, Ph. D, the current Chaplain, Presbyterian Church U.S.A. minister, continuing this legacy as a Korean-American
Key Milestones
- 1864 – Christian Fellowship chaplaincy present at Bridgewater State College
- 1965 – Christian Fellowship House purchased at 4 Stanish Road, Bridgewater, MA
- 1987 – 4 Stanish Road property sold due to its distance from campus
- 1987 – Christian Fellowship House purchased at 29 Shaw Road, Bridgewater, MA (Current location, within the Bridgewater State University campus)
- 2000 – Fellowship Room addition completed
- 2003 – Prayer Room added and Theme House established
- 2006 – Theme House begins providing affordable housing for students in need; first scholarship awarded
Our Purpose
- Christian Fellowship is a united Protestant student organization at Bridgewater State University.
Our purpose is to:
- Unite in fellowship students, faculty, and staff of the University.
- Stimulate study, thoughtful reflection, and faithful action.
- Worship, counsel, serve, and plan together as we seek to understand more fully the true meaning of Christianity.
- Meet the personal and spiritual needs of our members.
- Share together in the total task of Christianity throughout the world.
Study & Discussion
Discussion groups are offered for both students and faculty and are led by the chaplain, BSU faculty members, and local clergy.
Through these groups, participants are invited to explore Christian teachings and values in ways that connect meaningfully with their own lives. Our discussion format emphasizes active participation with minimal reliance on printed materials. By using creativity, color, images, and multimedia tools, we encourage students to discover connections between faith and everyday life—helping Christianity truly come alive.
Worship
Devotional and worship services are held on the Christian Fellowship House.
Students are encouraged to explore new forms of worship and to participate actively in the life of the Church. Several local churches have also shown a growing commitment to ministering to and with university students.
Service
Service is central to our life together and takes many forms. Christian Fellowship provides opportunities for students to live out their faith through service, including:
- Tutoring and mentoring
- Educating and supporting migrant workers
- Assisting children with special needs
Members of Christian Fellowship also regularly visit the Bridgewater Nursing Home and Lakeville Sanitarium, offering companionship, care, and compassion.
A Living Faith
At Christian Fellowship, faith is not only studied—it is lived, shared, and practiced together. We seek to be a welcoming community where students grow spiritually, serve faithfully, and discover God’s presence in every part of life.
※ Soichi Watanabe’s Pictures