Southern Seminary celebrated the rededication of the Boyce Centennial Library during Heritage Week on October 17, 2023. President R. Albert Mohler Jr., who cut the ceremonial ribbon along with Mary K. Mohler, said the library was due for a renovation and a refocus of its purpose.
“This building was built in 1959 and has served our seminary very well,” Mohler said. “But the time was ready not just for a renovation of the library but for a refocus of its purpose. When this institution was founded in 1859, James Petigru Boyce said that the priority of the seminary in money was to be ‘brains, books, and bricks,’ in that order. This library is important, and these
updates reflect a substantial affirmation of that.”
The renovated Boyce Centennial Library’s main floor is now divided in two sections. The front half of the floor features a public access concourse, independent circulation and reference desks, four technologically equipped conference rooms, copy facilities, a handicap-accessible door, and restrooms. The rear half of the main floor features a stunning 100-seat reading room with public access to print reference materials, periodicals, biblical commentaries, and theology titles.
“We don’t need an elaborate ceremony,” Mohler said. We need to pray for God’s blessing upon this school. I am thankful to God, I am thankful to the Board of Trustees for its support in this project, and for the financial support to make this possible.”
Joshua W. Powell, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, prayed a dedicatory prayer over the reopening of the library.
Speaking to the significance of Southern Seminary’s investment in the library Powell said, “Southern Seminary is determined to remain an institution dedicated to raising up and training the next generation of pastors and leaders in America and beyond. This improvement in our library is just one example of the school investing in the future.” He continued, “The trustees believe in the vision of Dr. Mohler and support any effort to invest in the future of the school.”
