Spiritual Life
The University's commitment to diversity and inclusion on campus extends to all religious faiths with spiritual life viewed as an integral part of a student's holistic development. For those from a specific faith tradition or for those in spiritual, ethical, and philosophical exploration, growth can occur both as an individual and within community. RWU encourages multi-faith learning and dialogues, service experiences, community building, and justice seeking within campus life and beyond.
Student Faith Groups and opportunities for campus worship
Faculty and staff advisors work with student groups to support community, student faith, and religious, spiritual, and moral/ethical explorations. For more information on any of these student groups contact the Student Programs, Leadership, and Orientation office at 401-254-3088.
- HILLEL (JEWISH COMMUNITY): Our Hillel student club celebrates the richness of Judaism as both a religion and a culture here on campus. This includes gatherings for Shabbat, celebrating the High Holidays, and hosting socials. Information on Hillel can be found by connecting with them via email hillel@g.rwu.edu.
- CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY: Gathers for Mass on Sundays at 6:00 p.m., Mary Teft White Center, University Library. Information on Catholic Campus Ministry, please contact Dr. Sean Varano at svarano@rwu.edu
- CHRISTIAN STUDENT FELLOWSHIP (CSF): Our CSF student club is a nondenominational Christian group focused on Christian formation, prayer, and Bible study. CSF has traveled to sites in the US and Caribbean that needed help rebuilding after catastrophic hurricanes during the Spring Break period. Information on CSF can be found by connecting with them via email at csf@g.rwu.edu
Prayer and Meditation Room in the Intercultural Center, which is available to all students. Religious and prayer services convene in locales across the campus.
2024-2025 Religious Days of Observance Calendar
View a list of holy days observed by many students, faculty, and staff members in our community. The list, while exhaustive in its inclusion of traditions represented on our campus, is not complete. Please direct suggestions for additions to the list of religious days of observance to the Office of Student Life, rwustudentlife@rwu.edu.
We would like for students, faculty, and staff to be aware of a broad range of religious observances. Students who are interested in holy day accommodations for class and lab assignments, attendance, or other commitments, should contact their faculty or supervisors well in advance with such requests. Faculty should consider the impact of holy days on class attendance and assignments. Student Organizations, Administrative, and Academic Units should consider holy days when scheduling events and programming.
Places of Worship
(This is not a comprehensive list but a guide to some of the closest locations).
Transportation: Churches in Bristol, Middletown, or Newport can be reached via RWU Shuttles or RIPTA 60 Bus
Baptist
Barrington Baptist Church
25 Old Country Road, Barrington, RI 02806
First Baptist Church of Bristol
250 High Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Community Baptist Church
50 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Road, Newport, RI 02840
United Baptist Church
30 Springs Street, Newport, RI 02840
Buddhist
Benevolent Street Zen Sangha (Soto)
First Unitarian Church of Providence
1 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI 02906
The Buddhist Center of New England, Inc.
252 Public Street, Providence, RI 02905
Dhamagosgosnaram Buddhist Temple
2870 Plainfield Pike, Cranston, RI 02921
Providence Zen Center (Seon)
99 Pound Road, Cumberland, RI 02864
Rhode Island Zen Dojo (Rinzai)
Sage Healing Collaborative
201 Waterman Avenue, East Providence RI 02914
Wat Lao Buddhovath of Rhode Island Inc.
88 Limerock Road, Smithfield, RI 02907
Wat Lao Xokexayyaram Buddhist Temple
485 River Street, Woonsocket RI 02895
Watt Thornikaram Cambodian Khmer Temple
Cambodian Society of Rhode Island
178 Hanover Street, Providence RI 02907
Catholic
Holy Angels Catholic Church
941 Maple Avenue, Barrington, RI 02806
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish
141 State Street, Bristol, RI 02809
St. Elizabeth's Church
577 Wood Street, Bristol, RI 02809
St. Mary's Parish of Bristol
330 Wood Street, Bristol, RI 02809
St. Mary of the Bay
645 Main Street, Warren, RI 02885
Christian
Cross Point Church
14 Rhode Island Avenue, Newport, RI 02840
Mt. Hope Church
Colt School Auditorium, 574 Hope Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Congregational
First Congregational Church
300 High Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Episcopal
St. John's Episcopal Church
191 County Road, Barrington, RI 02809
St. Michael's Episcopal Church
399 Hope Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Jewish
Chabad House of Barrington-Newport (Chabad Lubavitch)
311 Maple Avenue, Barrington, RI 02806
Congregation B'Nai Israel (Conservative)
224 Prospect Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Temple Habonim (Reform)
165 New Meadow Road, Barrington, RI 02806
Temple Shalom (Conservative)
223 Valley Road, Middletown, RI 02842
Touro Synagogue (Orthodox)
85 Touro Street, Newport, RI 02840
United Brothers Synagogue (Conservative)
205 High Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Methodist
Barrington United Methodist Church
230 Washington Road, Barrington, RI 02806
Portsmouth United Methodist Church
2732 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Muslim
Brown-RISD Muslim Community
Brown Muslims Students' Center
Champlin Hall 018, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906
Masjid Al-Islam of Rhode Island
40 Sayles Hill Road, North Smithfield, RI 02896
Masjid Al-Kareem (Islamic Center of RI)
39 Haskins Street, Providence, RI 02903
Masjid Zumaratul Jannah
801 Elmwood Avenue #3369, Providence, RI 02907
Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church of Newport
4 Everett Street, Newport, RI 02840
Unitarian
Channing Memorial Church
135 Pelman Street, Newport, RI 02840