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Cafe renovations

Renovations

Bishop Payne Library

The Seminary’s commitment to residential theological study places the Bishop Payne Library at the heart of our Bicentennial Campaign. We must be ready to provide resources for present and future researchers by collecting, preserving, and providing access to a variety of materials, digital and print. We must also offer a place that fosters thoughtful study and contemplation for our thinking, faithful Church.

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library

The renovations will:

  • Provide new spaces for a variety of learning styles, including additional private study carrels and flexible study and conference rooms for collaboration with glass enclosures to establish acoustic separation;
  • Introduce interactive and technologically sophisticated teaching and learning spaces with modern AV infrastructure to support further technology developments in integration;
  • Protect and celebrate the importance of growing rare collections and archives including the African American Episcopal Historical Collection; and
  • Update infrastructure, public areas, and accessibility with sustainable and long-term upgrades.

The impact will include:

  • Dynamic space for developing learning/teaching styles and methods;
  • Improved preservation of our collections, increasing their longevity and benefiting our patrons’ research and knowledge;
  • The desirability for student admissions, faculty recruitment, and Anglican Communion collaboration; and
  • Resources for VTS students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as clergy of all denominations and students and faculty from other seminaries and colleges.

Learn More about Bishop Payne Library

More Renovations

Addison Academic Center

The Renovations for Addison Academic Center will equip spaces for campus teaching, digital learning, events, and exhibitions; as well as upgrade technology and sound-proofing to the lower level.

Renovations will:
  • Equip spaces for campus teaching, digital learning, events, and exhibitions; and
  • Upgrade technology and sound-proofing to the lower level.
    The impact will include:
  • Space conducive to new teaching methods focusing on conversation and collaboration;
  • Capacity to foster teaching practices for on-campus and digital learning;
  • Instruction and lectures available online or via live stream; and
  • Lifelong Learning located in a newly configured space in the Center.

The Refectory, Scott Lounge, and 1823

The renovations will provide new, beautiful, and hospitable spaces for dining and social interaction.

Renovations will:
  • Provide new, beautiful, and hospitable spaces for dining and social interaction;
  • Upgrade the 1950s era kitchen with professional equipment;
  • Update Scott Lounge; and
  • Create a terrace outside of 1823.
    The impact will include:
  • Encouraged table fellowship and learning through informal conversations and casual encounters over lunch in the Refectory or refreshments in 1823; and
  • Enriched experiences for all who visit VTS and engage in community building over a shared meal.

Bicentennial Hall

The renovations will create a new and proper home for the Assyrian Reliefs as well as opportunities for conferences, dinners, and seminars.

Renovations will:
  • Create a new and proper home for the Assyrian Reliefs—a replica of the ‘Bearded Genius’ Relief and the two original reliefs the Seminary retained;
  • Equip the building with modern technology and an updated design; and
  • Highlight the early American stained-glass windows featured in the building.
    The impact will include:
  • Opportunities for conferences, dinners, and seminars made possible by a new venue; and
  • Conversations and a fresh perspective on a historic space and artifacts.

The Welcome Center

The renovations will outfit the interior with interactive displays to tell the Seminary’s 200-year history and mission and create a space that makes visitors feel welcome and potential students excited about the Seminary.

Renovations will:
  • Outfit the interior with interactive displays to tell the Seminary’s 200-year history and mission;
  • Reimagine the space to share the Seminary’s ministry, past, present, and future; and
  • Create the entrance to a modern residential theological seminary that is seeking to serve the Church.
    The impact will include:
  • A space that makes visitors feel welcome and potential students excited about the Seminary; and
  • An experience that communicates the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ.

Deanery

Improve the home for the Dean and the Dean’s family and upgrade the space to accommodate the home’s hospitality.

Renovations will:
  • Improve the home for the Dean and the Dean’s family; and
  • Upgrade the space to accommodate the home’s hospitality.
    The impact will include:
  • Decrease the Seminary’s carbon footprint with increased energy efficiency; and
  • Provide a welcoming home for current and future Deans and their families.