Who We Are
The Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst exists to offer a deeper spiritual and intellectual engagement with the Christian Faith, inspired by the wealth of Christian heritage housed at Stonyhurst College. This collection of relics, artefacts and books, accumulated by the Society of Jesus and which testifies to the Christian Faith of this country, has been used over the centuries to teach and inspire.
We aim to continue in this tradition by providing opportunities and facilities for education and study, for Christian leadership formation, and for religious retreat.
The Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst has supported the refurbishment of the Historic Libraries and Museum at Stonyhurst College and has restored the historic water mill into a residential retreat and conference facility: Theodore House.
Our Patrons
The charity’s royal patrons are Lord and Lady Nicholas Windsor.
The charity’s facility, Theodore House, was opened by Lord Nicholas Windsor on 19th February 2019, and the Oratory therein was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. John Arnold, Bishop of Salford.
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Rt Rev. John Arnold, Bishop of Salford
The Rt Hon. Lord Shuttleworth
Leonard Leo
Sir Bill Cash
Prof. Nasser David Khalili KCSS KCFO
Nigel Evans
Our Founders
The charity owes its existence to The Lord Alton of Liverpool and to John Cowdall, KSG.
After years of serving Stonyhurst College as Governors, Lord Alton and John Cowdall founded The Christian Heritage Centre charity in 2012, with the intention to support and build on the legacy of the Stonyhurst Collections.
Our Trustees
Michael Hurley, Professor of English and Theology, Cambridge University (Chairman)
Ryan Christopher, ADF International
Franz Forrester
Dr Rebekah Lamb, University of St Andrews
Fr Toby Lees, OP, Director of Radio Maria, England
Mike Laking
Our Director
Stefan Kaminski, Ph.B, S.T.L., has been the charity’s director since 2019, overseeing the charity’s development of in-person and online content, both theological and spiritual, to support adult Catholics, lay and ordained, in their mission in the UK.
Prior to joining the CHC, Stefan served as Head of Theology at Blanchelande College, Guernsey, having previously served numerous schools and parishes around the UK in catechetical, teaching, chaplaincy and governor roles.
Stefan has organised a number of Catholic formation initiatives in the UK, including symposiums and online formation programmes on the Theology of the Body. Together with his wife, Eleonora, he provides marriage preparation courses and continuing theological formation for catechists, teachers and diocesan leaders.
Stefan gained a licentiate in sacred theology (STL) from the John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family Life, Rome, specialising in the theological anthropology of the sexual complementarity. He obtained a Bachelors in Sacred Theology and a Bachelors in Philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.