# Chesterton House

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**Chesterton House** is a [Christian study center](/source/Christian_study_centers) and [501(c)(3) organization](/source/501(c)_organization) affiliated with [Cornell University](/source/Cornell_University) in [Ithaca](/source/Ithaca,_New_York), [New York](/source/New_York_(state)), that works with the students, staff, faculty, and administration of Cornell to bridge the academy and the Christian church. The work of the organization has been mentioned in major media outlets such as the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

## History

A group of pastors and professors in [Ithaca](/source/Ithaca,_New_York), [New York](/source/New_York_(state)), came together to form Chesterton House in 2000 in order to "facilitate discovery of the intellectual riches of the historic Christian faith, thereby empowering more faithful Christian living."[1] The study center is named after [G. K. Chesterton](/source/G._K._Chesterton), the British writer and humorist who influenced [Mahatma Gandhi](/source/Mahatma_Gandhi) and [C. S. Lewis](/source/C._S._Lewis).

According to their 2014 annual report, Chesterton House describes its residential community as "a cross between a [fraternity](/source/Fraternity_house) and a [monastery](/source/Monastery)."[2] They have an annual budget of over $500,000, 60 percent of which is donated. The remainder comes from program service revenue and special fundraisers, such as when the center issued a [jazz](/source/Jazz) CD featuring [William Edgar](/source/William_Edgar_(apologist)) and [John Patitucci](/source/John_Patitucci).[3]

The Chesterton House residential living-learning community is situated on a two-acre property within walking distance of the Cornell campus. It consists of three structures—an English Tudor-style mansion that formerly served as a Greek house, a second large home formerly owned by Allan H. Treman, and a cottage. In addition to providing housing for over 30 students, the facilities include large common areas—living rooms, dining rooms, industrial kitchens, sunrooms, and libraries—as well as views of downtown Ithaca and Cayuga Lake.[4]

The Founder and former [Executive Director](/source/Executive_director) Karl E. Johnson, also a founding member and Executive Director of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers (CCSC),[5] said in the [Cornell Chronicle](/source/Cornell_Chronicle),"[W]e want to communicate that a proper study and understanding of religion helps facilitate human flourishing in all areas of life, whether in the arts, public policy, or the modern [research university](/source/Research_university)."[6] Dick Keyes of [L’Abri](/source/L'Abri) speaks of Chesterton House as a place where ideas are "argued, debated, persuaded, reasoned."[7]

Chesterton House is an affiliate member of Cornell United Religious Work, which organizes all religious groups on Cornell's campus, including Cornell Hillel and the [Cornell Catholic Community](/source/Cornell_Catholic_Community). Chesterton House's advisory board includes [Ken Blanchard](/source/Ken_Blanchard), Andy Crouch formerly of [Christianity Today](/source/Christianity_Today), [D. A. Carson](/source/D._A._Carson), [Elaine Howard Ecklund](/source/Elaine_Howard_Ecklund), [Ard Louis](/source/Ard_Louis), and [Eleonore Stump](/source/Eleonore_Stump). There is also a Governing Board and a Faculty Advisory Board.

In 2013 twenty-one university [campus ministry](/source/Campus_ministry) organizations were awarded $2.9 million from the [Lilly Endowment](/source/Lilly_Endowment) in order to further their vocation-related programs.[8] Chesterton House was one of the four [Christian study centers](/source/Christian_study_centers) to receive the grant, including Hill House Ministries at the [University of Texas at Austin](/source/University_of_Texas_at_Austin), the Center for Christian Study at the [University of Virginia](/source/University_of_Virginia), and the Christian Study Center of [Gainesville](/source/Gainesville,_Florida) at the [University of Florida](/source/University_of_Florida).[9] The Oread Center in [Kansas](/source/Kansas), also a member of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers, received part of a $4-million grant in 2014.[10]

## Programs

All programs are categorized into three groups: events, residential, and courses.

Since 2000, as part of their "partnership model of ministry,"[11] Chesterton House co-sponsors events with [academic departments](/source/Academic_department), many local churches, and over a dozen campus ministries, including Chinese Bible Study, [Cru](/source/Cru_(Christian_organization)), [FCA](/source/Fellowship_of_Christian_Athletes), [Navigators](/source/The_Navigators_(organization)), [InterVarsity](/source/InterVarsity_Christian_Fellowship), as well as Graduate Christian Fellowship and the graduate student fellowships at the [Cornell Law School](/source/Cornell_Law_School) and the [Johnson Graduate School of Management](/source/Samuel_Curtis_Johnson_Graduate_School_of_Management). Chesterton House regularly hosts public lectures on topics such as art, culture, economics, faith and science, food security, human trafficking, race, technology, and theology.[12][13] The organization's Beimfohr-Neuss Lecture Series, which addresses issues pertaining to faith in a pluralistic society, has been delivered by Dr. Warren Kinghorn, Dr. Mia Chung, [Dr. C. Jimmy Lin](https://cbhd.org/content/jimmy-lin-md-phd-mhs), [Joel Salatin](/source/Joel_Salatin), Dr. Felicia Wu Song, and [Richard Stearns](/source/Richard_Stearns_(World_Vision)).[14] Other past speakers include [Makoto Fujimura](/source/Makoto_Fujimura), Lisa Sharon Harper, [Philip Jenkins](/source/Philip_Jenkins), Robin Jensen, [Richard Mouw](/source/Richard_Mouw), [Mark Noll](/source/Mark_Noll), [Alvin Plantinga](/source/Alvin_Plantinga), [Cornelius Plantinga](/source/Cornelius_Plantinga), [Sir John Polkinghorne](/source/John_Polkinghorne), [Eleonore Stump](/source/Eleonore_Stump), [Nicholas Wolterstorff](/source/Nicholas_Wolterstorff), [Dr. Jeremy Begbie](/source/Jeremy_Begbie)[.](https://cbhd.org/content/jimmy-lin-md-phd-mhs).[15] In 2020, Chesterton Perspectives began, a series of speakers from a wide range of perspectives, discussing complex issues in a way that are pastorally sensitive as well as intellectually courageous, allowing space on campus to engage empathetically with diverse views.

In 2010 Chesterton House established "residential living learning centers" in which dozens of men and women participate each year.[16] This includes a Sunday night weekly meal, cooking, cleaning, regular prayer and [Scripture](/source/Bible) reading, daily devotions, an annual retreat, and semester service projects.

In 2014, in conjunction with [Gordon College](/source/Gordon_College_(Massachusetts)), Chesterton House began offering courses for credit in biblical studies. Past courses include studies of the [book of Mark](/source/Gospel_of_Mark), [hermeneutics](/source/Hermeneutics), the [book of Proverbs](/source/Book_of_Proverbs), the [book of Job](/source/Book_of_Job), the [Old Testament](/source/Old_Testament), happiness, desires, and vocation.[17] In 2020, a new course initiative, Logos Seminar, was introduced. An innovative year-long introduction to the classical Christian moral tradition and its critics, this guided journey allows students to explore the tradition, receive a fuller presentation of the orthodox Christian approach to moral theology, and hear from world-class Christian scholars. This earned Chesterton House an [Oases of Excellence](https://www.goacta.org/initiatives/oases-of-excellence/) designation from the [American Council of Trustees and Alumni](/source/American_Council_of_Trustees_and_Alumni) (ACTA).

In October 2019, Chesterton House held a large 20th anniversary celebration that included a conference featuring Andy Crouch and many other alumni as speakers, a concert by performing artist Joy Ike, and the dedication of a new women’s residential ministry house. The event coincided with a transition in leadership to the new and current Executive Director, Dr. Vivek Mathew, who completed his Ph.D. at Cornell in 2019.

Other regular events at Chesterton House and other Christian study centers include retreats, conferences, discussion groups, and film viewings.[18][19] Chesterton House staff advise several student organizations, including Cornell Claritas, a journal, and student chapters of [Christian Legal Society](/source/Christian_Legal_Society), [International Justice Mission](/source/International_Justice_Mission), and [Veritas Forum](/source/Veritas_Forum).

## See also

- [Cru (Christian organization)](/source/Cru_(Christian_organization))
- [Fellowship of Christian Athletes](/source/Fellowship_of_Christian_Athletes)
- [International Justice Mission](/source/International_Justice_Mission)
- [InterVarsity Christian Fellowship](/source/InterVarsity_Christian_Fellowship)
- [The Navigators (organization)](/source/The_Navigators_(organization))
- [Christian Study Center](/source/Christian_study_center)

## References

1. McGarvey, Stephen (2005). ["Reclaiming the Mind"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100127/http://sites.silaspartners.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID323422_CHID664014_CIID2077054,00.html). *byFaith Magazine*. Archived from [the original](http://sites.silaspartners.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID323422_CHID664014_CIID2077054,00.html) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2015.

1. ["Chesterton House Annual Report 2014"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151003113530/http://chestertonhouse.org/sites/default/files/2014Chesterton_Annual_Report_WebView_0.pdf). *Chesterton House*. Chesterton House. Archived from [the original](http://chestertonhouse.org/sites/default/files/2014Chesterton_Annual_Report_WebView_0.pdf) on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.

1. ["Heavenly Music"](http://cornellalumnimagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=410&Itemid=56&ed=11). *Cornell Alumni Magazine*. 19 May 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2015.

1. Wallace, Diane Lebo (17 December 2014). ["A firm foundation for Chesterton House"](https://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/12/firm-foundation-chesterton-house). *Cornell Chronicle*. Retrieved 22 September 2015.

1. ["A Brief History of the Consortium"](http://studycentersonline.org/about/history/). Consortium of Christian Study Centers. Retrieved 18 September 2015.

1. Johnson, Karl E. (3 October 2011). ["Cornell University"](https://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2011/10/beimfohr-lecture-feature-speakers-faith-society). *Cornell Chronicle*. Retrieved 18 September 2015.

1. Keyes, Dick. ["Endorsements"](http://chestertonhouse.org/about/endorsements). *Chesterton House*. Retrieved 18 September 2015.

1. ["Lilly Endowment Investing in Campus Ministries"](https://archive.today/20150422004133/http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=62541). Inside Indiana Business. November 26, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=62541) on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.

1. ["Lilly Endowment gives $2.9M to Strengthen 21 Campus Ministry Organizations"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160222070533/http://www.lillyendowment.org/pdf/LillyEndowment11-25-2013PressRelease.pdf). Lilly Endowment. November 25, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.lillyendowment.org/pdf/LillyEndowment11-25-2013PressRelease.pdf) on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2015.

1. ["Lilly Endowment Helps to Strengthen Campus Ministries Worldwide"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150616041825/http://www.lillyendowment.org/pdf/2014CAMPUSMINISTRY.pdf). Lilly Endowment. November 17, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.lillyendowment.org/pdf/2014CAMPUSMINISTRY.pdf) on June 16, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.

1. ["Our Story"](http://chestertonhouse.org/about/our-story). *Chesterton House*. 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.

1. Linehan, Rose (13 November 2014). ["Christian, atheist scientists tackle human nature"](https://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/11/christian-atheist-scientists-tackle-human-nature). *Cornell Chronicle*. Retrieved 22 September 2015.

1. Elvy, Catherine (2014). ["Answering the Call"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151003080348/http://chestertonhouse.org/sites/default/files/Answering-the-Call.pdf). *Christian Union: The Magazine*. Archived from [the original](http://chestertonhouse.org/sites/default/files/Answering-the-Call.pdf) on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.

1. Aloi, Daniel (3 October 2011). ["New Beimfohr Lecture gift will bring speakers on faith and society to campus"](https://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2011/10/beimfohr-lecture-feature-speakers-faith-society). *Cornell Chronicle*. Retrieved 22 September 2015.

1. ["Christian Study Centers Help Students See the Richness of the Faith"](http://byfaithonline.com/christian-study-centers-help-students-see-the-richness-of-the-faith/). *byFaith*. [Presbyterian Church in America](/source/Presbyterian_Church_in_America). December 8, 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2015.

1. Bellin, Judah (5 March 2012). ["The True Brotherhood of The Knoll"](http://cornellsun.com/section/opinion/content/2012/03/05/true-brotherhood-knoll?fb_ref=Default%2C%40Total). *Cornell Daily Sun*. Retrieved 25 September 2015.[dead link]

1. Whyte, Liz Essley (Fall 2014). ["Campus Crusades"](http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/topic/excellence_in_philanthropy/campus_crusades). *Philanthropy*. [Philanthropy Roundtable](/source/Philanthropy_Roundtable)

1. Osburn, Robert (October 21, 2014). ["Good News for the Naked Public University"](http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2014/10/good-news-for-the-naked-public-university). [First Things](/source/First_Things). Retrieved 18 September 2015.

1. Wayne, Robert (6 November 2005). ["Christian Collegians Feed Minds at Chesterton House"](http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/christian-collegians-feed-minds-at-chesterton-house-1361744.html). *Crosswalk*. Retrieved 22 September 2015.

## Further reading

- Noll, Mark (October 2004). ["The Evangelical Mind Today"](http://www.firstthings.com/article/2004/10/the-evangelical-mind-today). *First Things*. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- Sommerville, C. John (2006). *The Decline of the Secular University*. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195306953.
- "[Winning Not Just Hearts but Minds](https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704597704574487532250568304)." *WSJ*. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.
- Worthen, Molly. "[Hallelujah College](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/opinion/sunday/hallelujah-college.html)." *The New York Times*. The New York Times, 16 Jan. 2016. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.
- Fowler, Megan. ["The Christian College on Cornell's Campus"](https://byfaithonline.com/the-christian-college-on-cornells-campus/). *byFaith*. 19 December 2019

## External links

- [Chesterton House](http://chestertonhouse.org/)
- [Consortium of Christian Study Centers (CCSC)](https://cscmovement.org/)
- [New College Berkeley](http://www.newcollegeberkeley.org/)

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