Building Project

PHASE ONE

St. Joseph College Seminary’s construction plan has two building phases. Phase One includes the purchase of 86 acres of land just 1.5 miles from Belmont Abbey College and construction of a seminary building which includes 40 seminarian rooms, a refectory and a kitchen, a conference room, classrooms, administrative offices, a research room, exercise room, faculty rooms, guest rooms, a cloister walk, and a temporary chapel.

Aerial Perspective, Phase One

Front Elevation, Phase One

PHASE TWO

Anticipating future growth in the number of seminarians, Phase II will include additional seminarian rooms and a larger, permanent chapel.

Aerial Perspective, Phase Two

Front Elevation, Phase Two

Chapel, Interior Perspective

THE DESIGN

The design of the seminary is in keeping with the neo-Gothic style of the Belmont Abbey campus as founded and hand-built by the Benedictine monks in 1876. We chose Michael G. Imber, Architects to design the project due to their commitment to excellence in traditional architecture, in both material and design.

From the architect . . .

The Gothic-inspired design for a minor seminary is currently being developed for the Diocese of Charlotte in North Carolina. The seminary will not only provide a place for men to discern the priesthood, but also encourage theological and philosophical thinking. The seminary is split into three different zones with the chapel and residence wing acting as ‘bookends’ to the academic and administration building. Two enclosed courtyards within provide opportunities for quiet prayer and reflection. The layout of the chapel is similar to that of a cloistered monastery; there is a section with pews for the faithful community, another section with choir stalls for the seminarians, and a rood screen separating the seminarians from the laity. The colored light entering through the stained glass windows and the layering of spaces through a series of arches creates a sense of mystery in the chapel. The architecture will consist of local materials, including brick with stone detailing.

Main Floor Plan