T the kingdom of Christ, the Founders of this Seminary design that its Students, living and acting under pastoral influence, and performing the important duties of church members in the several churches to which they belong, or with which they worship, in prayer-meetings, in the instruction of Sabbathschools and Bible-classes, and being conversant with all the social benevolent efforts in this important location, shall have the opportunity of adding to solid learning and true piety, enlightened experience. 5. By the foregoing advantages, the Founders hope and expect, with the blessing of God, to call forth from these two flourishing cities, and to enlist in the service of Christ and in the work of the ministry, genius, talent, enlightened piety and missionary zeal; and to qualify many for the labors and management of the various religious institutions, seminaries of learning, and enterprises of benevolence, which characterize the present times. 6. Finally, it is the design of the Founders to provide a Theological Seminary in the midst of the greatest and most growing community in America, around which all men of moderate views and feelings, who desire to live free from party strife, and to stand aloof from all extremes of doctrinal speculation, practical radicalism and ecclesiastical domination, may cordially and affectionately rally. REQUIREMENTS OF THE CHARTER The Charter provides that "equal privileges of admission and instruction, with all the advantages of the Institution, shall be allowed to students of every denomination of Christians." In fact instruction is given not only in the doctrine and polity of the Presbyterian Church, but also in those of other leading Protestant Churches. The student body at the present time is made up of members of twenty-two different Christian bodies. All of these are urged to retain their original connection, and to enter the ministry of their respective churches. The endeavor is made to provide them all with what they need for effective service to their own people. THE NEW BUILDINGS The first Seminary building was at No. 9 University Place, and was dedicated December 12, 1838. In later years a few subsidiary buildings were acquired in Winthrop Place (or Greene Street), the next parallel street to the east, and at the corner of Winthrop Place and Clinton Place (Eighth Street). In 1884 the Seminary moved to its second home on Lenox Hill, where its important group of buildings, with the main entrance at 1200 (afterward 700) Park Avenue, was dedicated December 9, 1884. The generous benefactions of exGovernor Edwin D. Morgan, supplemented_by_large_gifts from D. Willis James, Esq., Morris K. Jesup, LL.D., and others, made this move possible. In 1908 the work of constructing the Seminary's third group of buildings began. The Corner Stone was laid on Tuesday, November 17, 1908. The buildings were opened for instruction on September 28, 1910, and the services of Dedication took place on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, November 27, 28, and 29, 1910. This second move received its impulse and its chief support from the princely contributions of Daniel Willis James, Esq., for forty years a Director, and Vice President of the Board since November 17, 1898, to which after his death Mrs. James made large additions. Generous contributions to the Building Fund were also made by other persons, including Mr. John Crosby Brown, the late President of the Board of Directors. A brief description of the buildings follows: Their architecture is the English Perpendicular Gothic. They occupy the double block bounded by Broadway, Claremont Avenue, 120th and 122d Streets, and form a large rectangle, enclosing a Quadrangle approximately 300 feet long and 100 feet wide. A part of the west side, however, is for the present unoccupied by any building. A tower at the corner of Broadway and 120th Street contains the main entrance hall, rising through three stories. Its ceiling is vaulted with fan tracery. A wide circular stairway leads to the upper floors of the Library as well as to the classrooms and Professors' studies and offices in the Administration Building. This corner tower is designed to rise ultimately to a height of over 200 feet and will then be a striking feature of the group. The Library building occupies the Broadway side from the Entrance Tower to the Library Tower opposite 121st Street. On the first floor are two rooms devoted to the Biblical, Christian and Missionary Museum and to the exhibition of rare books. Several Seminar rooms occupy the second and fourth floors. On the third floor is the Reference Library, 100 feet long by 40 feet wide, with an oak beamed ceiling. The rooms for library administration adjoin this. The library stack is beneath the Reference Library, and contains five levels which connect with various floors. The Library Tower rises over a vaulted drive-way with ornamental iron gates, the principal entrance to the Quadrangle. The Broadway Tower opens also into the Administration Building, which extends along 120th Street. The offices of the Seminary are on the first floor; on the second and third floors are class-rooms and a large lecture room; the fourth and fifth are divided into offices and studies for Professors and Instructors. Both the Library and the Administration Building have access to a terrace, which rises above the main level of the Quadrangle at the south, and, from within, gives these buildings, with the Chapel, a fitting prominence. The Chapel stands on Claremont Avenue, across the Quadrangle from the Library, its lofty tower rising on the axis of the Quadrangle in line with the Library Tower. This Chapel has been erected as a Memorial to the late D. Willis James, Esq., who was a Director of the Seminary for many years, and its largest benefactor. The great chancel window was designed and made in England by a firm which during four generations has produced some of the best work in the typical English Antique glass. The President's house occupies the corner of 120th Street and Claremont Avenue. Between it and the Chapel is a low Cloister enclosing various service-rooms connected with the Chapel. On the Quadrangle side an interior Cloister connects the entire group of buildings. An Apartment House bounds the Quadrangle on 122d Street, and provides residences for ten Professors. The Students' Dormitory extends from 121st to 122d Street on Broadway and contains about one hundred and fifty sets of rooms. Most of these comprise a study with bedroom adjoining; a few sets consist of a study and two bedrooms. Ample toilet accommodations are provided on each floor. In the Library Tower, with direct access from the Dormitory, is a Social Room for the use of the Students. The buildings are of native stone taken from the site, the window tracery and finished trimmings being of Indiana limestone. A marked detail of the ornamentation is the series of academic seals and shields, carved in this limestone, on several faces of the Administration Building and Library. The buildings are fireproof throughout, are heated by steam and lighted by electricity, and are ventilated in the most approved manner. The main heating and lighting plant of the group is placed underneath the Dormitory at the lowest point of the site. The Quadrangle is turfed and will be planted, so as to form an attractive and quiet enclosure. The architects of the buildings are Messrs. Allen & Collens of Boston, Mass. |