The School of Theology at the University of the South reopened and dedicated the newly renovated Hamilton Hall last week following a 20-month renovation project. Residential formation for ministry in a community grounded in study and prayer is critical to the future of the church, and with its renewed building, the School of Theology will be strengthened in its work for decades to come.
“Buildings, no matter how striking or how noble, no matter how beautiful, are a means to an end. And that end, in our case, is to form clergy and lay leaders for the Episcopal Church, to serve God and the people of God and to share the good news of the One who is the Way, the Truth, and Life itself,” said Vice-Provost and Dean of the School of Theology the Very Rev. James F. Turrell, in his sermon at the blessing of the building.
Theological formation in community set the agenda for the renovation. State-of-the-art classrooms will enable students and faculty to delve deeply into topics around the seminar table. A new Diocese of Texas Reading Room, holding the School’s core reference collection, and a carrel room will give students comfortable places to study. The new St. Luke’s Oratory will provide a space for contemplative prayer. The old auditorium, transformed into the modern Samuel T. Lloyd Forum, provides a striking venue for speakers and performances.
The new Dettwiller Commons, located at the heart of the building, is a gathering space for students, faculty, and staff. The Beecken Center, housing non-degree programs, including the SUMMA Theological Debate Society and its summer camp for high school students, and Education for Ministry (EfM), Sewanee’s flagship lay formation program, will extend the reach of the School of Theology beyond the campus.
“An Episcopal institution since its founding, the University of the South remains steadfast in its commitment to the residential formation of Church leaders. The complete renovation of Hamilton Hall underscores this commitment visibly and tangibly, while creating space for the intangible within walls designed for the purpose of prayer, study, and service,” says University Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen. “We are mindful of the enormous scale of the renovation task and deeply grateful for all who contributed to it with their hearts, minds, labor, financial gifts, and prayers—ensuring that the School of Theology will welcome seminarians to Hamilton Hall for generations to come.”
In her reflection at the building dedication with the University’s Board of Trustees, Student Body President Kelly Moody, T’25, said, “One of the key tasks of a priest is to gather the body of Christ. Having a building that offers so many flexible spaces for students to gather for learning, worship, fellowship, and service enables us to practice this aspect of our ministry in creative, yet grounded ways. “I believe these opportunities will bear fruit in our seminary community immediately, but also in the ministry of all who are formed and sent from this place for years to come.”
Blessing of Hamilton Hall
The School of Theology dedicated and blessed the newly renovated Hamilton Hall last week, marking and celebrating the reopening of the building. The Blessing liturgy began on the steps of the building and processed to stations within it, including the Diocese of Texas Reading Room, the Samuel T. Lloyd Forum, a classroom, and the Beecken Center. The congregation of more than 200—including seminarians, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends—then processed into the Chapel of the Apostles for Holy Eucharist celebrated by Chancellor of the University of the South the Right Rev. Dr. Jake Owensby with a sermon from Dean of the School of Theology the Very Rev. Jim Turrell.
In his sermon, Turrell said, “The building now reflects, in a way that it never did before, our emphasis at the School of Theology on forming leaders to be devout, learned, and useful, formed in a close community gathered around Word and Sacrament.”
The renovation of Hamilton Hall for the School of Theology has provided outstanding spaces for teaching, learning, prayer, and service, advancing the mission of the School and strengthening the identity of the University of the South as an institution of the Episcopal Church. It represents a renewed commitment to theological education at the University of the South and to Christian formation in community, which is reflected in the university’s motto, Ecce Quam Bonum, from Psalm 133:1: “Behold how good it is for kindred to dwell together in unity."
