“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Ps. 127)
On graduation day for the class of 2024, Westminster held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new campus building. It’s the first major construction project in a plan to expand the campus with beautiful and functional buildings and landscaping.
Board members and guests traveled from far and wide to participate in the graduation festivities on May 23, including a lunch in Van Til Hall, which will be demolished to make room for the new campus.
Van Til has been Westminster's primary classroom building since 1974. Celebrated Reformed scholars such as Richard Gaffin, Edmund Clowney, John Frame, and Meredith Kline have taught -- and countless students, including the likes of Tim Keller, have been equipped for fruitful ministry -- in its rooms over the past 50 years. It is the seminary's hope that the new building will carry on that legacy, with the addition of up-to-date amenities and architecture that inspires diligence and reflection.
As the need for an expanded campus grew in recent years, a generous donor offered $5 million toward a new campus building, along with the funding to create a complete plan for an updated campus. The resulting larger and more versatile “collegiate gothic” style structure will serve students and faculty well into the 21st century. President Peter A. Lillback writes,
"Within the new academic building, constructed to harmonize with the stone architecture of our iconic Machen Hall, we will have the capability to implement the most recent technology to capture every aspect of the work of the seminary, and to make it available for our students globally, for Christ and His global church. Additionally, there will be a designated dining hall for daily meals with faculty, residential students, and staff."
Read more about Westminster's vision for an improved campus here.
The photos below not only capture the ceremony, but also the last day of classes in Van Til on May 3.
Vice President of Stewardship Jerry Timmis gave a meditation at the ceremony on Psalm 127. | JPG photo and video
President of WTS Peter A. Lillback addresses fellow leaders and the board of trustees at the groundbreaking ceremony. | JPG photo and video
The Board of Trustees break ground outside Van Til Hall. | Abram Hammer
Depiction of the new campus building. JPG photo and video
Celebratory Lunch in Van Til Hall. | JPG photo and video
Celebratory Lunch in Van Til Hall. | Abram Hammer
Students chatting in lobby after class. | Paul Quiram
Dr. Brandon Crowe shows the critical apparatus of the NA28 in New Testament Introduction. He’s actually joking about how he’s wearing a rather bold paisley jacket he’s had hanging on his office door for years, but never worn. | Paul Quiram
M.Div and Ph.D candidate/Greek Instructor Blake Franze talking in Van Til lobby over snacks. | Paul Quiram
Professor Libbie Groves helping divide a word in the Hebrew 1 course. This was Professor Groves' last day of teaching before retiring. | Paul Quiram
The last class leaving with Dr. Crowe from the last lecture in Van Til hall | Paul Quiram