By Meghan Campbell
On a weekend afternoon, students can often be found spread out across campus, soaking up those last warm rays of bright, summer sunshine. Every so often amongst these students, a beaming bride and groom can be found posing for a photographer in front of the Fordham University Church. Wedding party, guests and students alike stand to the side and watch, relishing in this joyful new chapter in a “Rams Romance.”
Whether through a campus tour, a Sunday mass or a Chapel Yoga session, anyone who has walked through the great wooden doors of the University Church can appreciate the beauty and history this building has to offer.
This New York City landmark was constructed in 1845 as a seminary and parish church for members of the Bronx community, and became part of the university in 1859. The walls are adorned with stained-glass windows, which were a gift from King Louis Philippe the First of France for St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, but due to their small size were to sent to Fordham by Archbishop Hughes. From walking down the aisle towards the ornate alter piece (also originally from St. Patrick’s) to thearing he sound of the church’s impressive organ reverberating off the walls, it seems like a no brainer that this is an ideal location for a wedding.
But this dream-come-true venue is shrouded in confusing tales and restrictions, leaving this wedding location seeming less than perfect. Or at the very least, not worth the rumored six-year wait.
“It’s urban legend that the church is unavailable. We work very hard to make the church available to as many couples that want to marry here,” explains Rev. Mark Zittle, director of University Church Ministries.
So, basically, there is no wait! All that campus ministry asks is that couples request a date at least six months in advance, although a year in advance is preferred. Scheduling also depends on the Fordham academic calendar. Weddings can be held throughout the school year with the exception of big campus events such as Homecoming and Family Weekend.
“Couples usually book at least a year or more in advance. You might not get the date you wanted, but we can come pretty close. We have some in December, but as you can imagine [couples] like June weddings. Weddings also take place throughout the summer,” said Rev. Zittle.
These services are not available to just anyone. Due to the fact that Fordham is not a parish, wedding ceremonies can only take place at the University Church “if one of the parties is a current student, graduate, staff or faculty member,” of either Fordham University or Fordham Preparatory School, said Rev. Zittle.
“I love getting to learn about the couples and their families, as each one has a unique story and reason for coming back to Fordham to get married,” said Caroline Rossi, FCRH ’18, one of the student marriage ministers on campus.
“It’s a privileged place to have couples tell their stories,” said Rev. Zittle. “Father McShane always talks to students who are considering coming to Fordham to make a home for your heart at Fordham and then to hear couples talk about how they fell in love here… and how they want their marriage to take place here, those stories are memorable.”
The church offers sacramental Catholic ceremonies on Sundays at 2 p.m. as well as Saturdays at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., meaning that there can be up to three weddings on campus in a single day.
“Truthfully, every wedding is memorable in its own way,” explained Caroline. “One of my favorite parts of working the weddings is getting to observe those final moments between a bride and her father, before I open the doors and send them down the aisle… Every wedding day is filled with so much happiness and excitement, it’s almost magical…and to get to witness that is pretty cool!”
Couples are welcome to make their weddings unique to their own desires, whether that means inviting a priest from their own parish to officiate the wedding or inviting one of the priests from Fordham, such as Rev. Zittle or Father McShane. It is also not uncommon for couples to incorporate their own Fordham experience into their ceremonies.
“One couple came with their own ring dish that a friend had made for them, a handmade pottery piece with Keating Hall painted on it that said ‘It All Began at Fordham,’” said Caroline. “I think that really says it all— Fordham is such a special place, and it is responsible for bringing so many people together! How great is that?”
