Saint Joseph Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Saint Joseph Seminary
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| Location | 600 Burton St. SE Grand Rapids, Michigan |
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| Area | 17 acres (6.9 ha) |
| Built | 1919 |
| Architect | Spier & Gehrke, Humbrecht & Associates |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival, Modern |
| NRHP reference No. | 100004384 |
| Added to NRHP | September 16, 2019 |
The Saint Joseph Seminary was once a special school for young men who wanted to become Catholic priests. It's a big building located at 600 Burton Street SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This important building was added to the list of historic places in 2019.
A Look Back: History of Saint Joseph Seminary
The story of Saint Joseph Seminary began in 1906. Bishop Henry Richter of the Diocese of Grand Rapids wanted to start a school for future priests. He asked Monsignor Anthony Volkert to help create this program.
In 1909, the diocese bought a building in Grand Rapids. They opened Saint Joseph's Minor Seminary there. This school taught boys who were in high school and college. The seminary quickly became very popular.
Because so many students wanted to join, a new four-story brick building was built in 1910. It was made to hold all the students. Even after being made bigger in 1913, it was still too small. So, in 1919, the diocese bought land on Burton Street. This area was mostly countryside back then.
Construction on the new building started in 1919. It was finished by the end of 1920. This new school had enough space for 100 students. It also had rooms for the Sisters of Mercy. These sisters helped by providing food and medical care.
However, more and more students kept coming. By the late 1920s, the school was full again. They made changes in 1933 and again in 1943 to create more room. In 1944, a separate building was built just for the sisters. The attic was even furnished in 1946 to add more space.
By 1955, over 200 students were attending the school. In 1956, they started building a new part called Saint Henry Hall. More additions were made in 1957 and 1958 to keep up with the growing numbers.
Things started to change in the 1960s. Fewer students were joining the seminary. The college students began taking classes at nearby Aquinas College. This meant Saint Joseph became a high school only. By 1968, fewer than 100 students were enrolled.
In the 1970s, the high school students started going to the nearby Catholic Central High School. Much of the Saint Joseph building was then used for offices. Finally, in 1981, the school closed its doors for good.
The diocese continued to use the main building for offices and a meeting place. In 2008, the property was sold to the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church. From 2013 to 2017, it was used by the Grand Rapids Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology. This was a charter school for students from kindergarten to 12th grade. As of 2018, people were thinking about what to do with the property next.
What Does It Look Like?
The Saint Joseph Seminary sits on a large 17-acre campus. It has four main buildings.
The oldest and most important building is called the Main Building. It has three stories and is shaped like the letter "E." It's made of brick in an old, grand style called Late Gothic Revival. It has a tall roof with a cross shape. A wide porch leads to the entrance. Above the entrance are five windows with smaller windows above them. There's also a decorative gable window above that. On each side of the building, parts stick out forward. The building also has stone window sills and other fancy decorations.
Other buildings on the campus include:
- The convent, built in 1944. This is a two-story brick building with a flat roof. It has limestone window sills and other decorations.
- The Activities Building, built in 1955. This is a two-story red brick building with a single-story section sticking out.
- Saint Henry Hall, built in 1956. This is a three-story brick building with a flat roof and a tall, projecting tower.
