Saint Mary Hall

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Future site of Saint Mary Hall 1951 Saint Mary Hall 2006 Saint Mary Hall Pool Table

Future site of Mary Hall, 1951 and Mary Hall, 2006 (click thumbnails for larger images)

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Architect: R. V. McCann and Associates, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Rafferty (Renovation)

Contractor: Wahl Construction Co., Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Dates:

Saint Mary Hall, built in 1951 to accommodate the rising student population (and replace barracks built by the government as emergency housing after World War II). Built north of the Auditorium-Music Hall, the hall was the second separate dormitory built for SJU students (Saint Benet Hall was the first). The $750,000 building was funded entirely by private donations from alumni and friends of Saint John’s. The hall was originally going to be named “Alcuin Hall” to honor the long-reigning Abbot Alcuin Deutsch, OSB (1921-1950), but Abbot Alcuin named it Saint Mary Hall to commemorate the proclamation of the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in 1950. Hence the building was dedicated Saint Mary Hall, but commonly referred to as “Mary Hall”

The floors are constructed of terrazzo and the walls of waylite blocks. The main exterior of the building is brick accented by granite for steps and entry ways. Each of the rooms has a large picture window and is noticeably bigger than the rooms in Benet Hall. The building (278’x47′) was built to house 222 students in its three floors featuring double rooms and oak furnishings built by the Abbey Carpenter Shop. When it was dedicated on September 2, 1951, the ground floor housed a newly located Cafeteria, a study and a recreation room for day students of the college. New to this building were two lounges—a Gold Star Lounge on the east end of first floor and a ground floor lounge.

In 2001 the basement was renovated to consolidate the offices of student life. It also is the center for the many summer events, workshops and conferences that take place on campus.

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