The house is located on Evans Street next to Brokaw Hall. It formerly belonged to the Hufstedtlers. Mr. Hufstedtler served as “night watchman” at the college for a number of years.

As a result of a study conducted by students and the Student Development office, the idea of having a permanent campus ministry house was born in the spring of 1997. It was to be a place where student religious organizations could conduct their activities and to serve as a setting for informal fellowship in a Christian setting.

Immanuel Lutheran Church of Greenwood, pastored by the Rev. John Setzler, former chaplain of Newberry College (1979-87), gave $5,000 toward the renovation of the house. They were joined by Aveleigh Presbyterian of Newberry ($500) and First Baptist Church of Newberry (labor and materials) as the community joined in the effort. Finally, the Newberry College Family Association made the ministry house their 1997-98 project and donated around $2,000 worth of furniture.

Under the supervision of the college Christian Council, students began work on the building. A contractor was hired to put new siding on the house. The floors were redone and the walls painted. Barbara Bigford, a youth minister at First Baptist, Newberry and advisor to BSU on campus, spearheaded these efforts.

In 1998, the idea was presented to name the house in honor of the Rev. Harry Weber who had served Newberry College from 1959-79, most of those years as chaplain. Harry is much beloved and he and his wife Jenny are among the college’s most loyal supporters and friends.

The activities on Palm Sunday of 1999 were the culmination of those efforts. Barbara and the students completed the bulk of the work on the house. A dedication service was led by Bishop David Donges of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Following the service in Wiles Chapel, everyone walked to the house where the sign was unveiled, the donors were recognized and students in the campus religious organizations hosted an open house.

During the 2001-2002 school year, the office of the campus pastor moved to the Weber House. Physical Plant built a ramp into the building. Teams of students put a fresh coat of paint in the rooms and helped to set up the house to accommodate a large office with upgraded office equipment, a general meeting room with a TV/VCR, and a dining room. The house was kept open every evening Monday through Thursday as a drop-in and study room. Several gardenias and azaleas were planted around the front and back of the building as well.

The South Carolina WELCA donated money in the summer of 2002 to help in the renovation of the backyard of Weber.  In addition, central air conditioning and heating were installed in the House so that it would be more comfortable to use year round. During the 2002-03 school year, Pastor Harry Weber donated an upright piano to enhance the ministry group meetings, and a set of cast iron lawn furniture to the ministry house.

Currently, the house is undergoing significant renovations.  A damaged section of the roof has been replaced, the walls are being repainted, and the floors will be stripped and refinished.  Certain portions of the house will be carpeted or receive new linoleum, and the screen porch was removed. 

The Weber House serves as a place for student groups to meet, a quiet place for reflection or relaxation, and the location of Finals Meals and other special events.  You are invited to drop in and see the changes!