The Legacy of the Interchurch Center and Commonweal Catholics
In the heart of Morningside Heights, a vibrant neighborhood of Manhattan that is home to Columbia University, stands a striking 19-story limestone tower affectionately dubbed by some as the “God box.” This notable structure, officially known as the Interchurch Center, opened its doors in 1960 and has since become a symbol of the once-dominant presence of midcentury American liberal Christianity. Today, the center accommodates a diverse array of both religious and secular offices, creating a unique blend of spiritual and intellectual pursuits.
Recently, a group gathered at one of these offices around a table, engaging in spirited discussions about a different yet closely related midcentury phenomenon: the concept of the Commonweal Catholic. Commonweal Catholics are characterized as educated, liberal-minded, and middle-class individuals who sought to assimilate into elite culture while retaining their Roman Catholic faith, education, and sensibilities. But what does this term signify in contemporary discourse?
“The term isn’t as clearly defined as it once was,” shared Matthew Boudway, the senior editor of Commonweal magazine, the publication that originally coined the term. To him, being a Commonweal Catholic embodies a blend of liberal political and theological perspectives, coupled with a deep intellectual curiosity about the interplay between faith and broader intellectual life.
Dominic Preziosi, the magazine’s editor, chimed in with a chuckle, “Sometimes we think about it way too hard.” Their laughter underscored a shared understanding of the complexities involved in navigating faith in today’s world.
While the archetype of the old-style Commonweal Catholic may be fading, Commonweal magazine, which proudly claims the title of the nation’s oldest independent lay-edited Catholic journal of opinion, remains a vital presence in the conversation. This fall, the magazine is commemorating its remarkable 100-year journey with a series of celebratory events, including a gala, the publication of an anthology featuring interviews with influential figures such as Jorge Luis Borges, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Martin Scorsese, as well as a special 100-page centennial issue that looks back on its rich history.
