The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Mother Adelaide Hall

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Mother Adelaide Hall (bell tower), Lourdes College

Mother Adelaide Hall (stained glass window with coat of arms), Lourdes College

Institution Name: Lourdes College
Original/Historic Place Name: Mother Adelaide Hall
Location on Campus:
Date(s) of Construction:

1963-1965

original construction Schauder, Thomas

Designer: Thomas Schauder
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Mission/Mission revival (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, culture, education, history, religion
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: sandstone, light brick

Roof: terracotta tile

Function:

ca. 1963	other (reception area)
ca. 1963	observatory (planetarium)
ca. 1963	library (college research library)
ca. 1963	classrooms
ca. 2004-present (2006)	student union (including bookstore)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	museum (art gallery)

Narrative:
Mother Adelaide Hall is the last building designed by the school's founder, who died in 1964 while it was under construction. The building's exterior stays true to California Mission-Style architecture, with its terracotta tile roof, bell tower, and imbedded ceramics. Ceramic tiles depicting the Lourdes Hymn and the coat of arms of Lourdes, France grace the south entrance. The south wall boasts a 10 foot-high chunk glass window portraying the Lourdes College seal.

The inside of the building contains numerous mosaics, roundels, and paintings including original watercolors by Mother Adelaide.

References:

Klewicki, Mary Dunstan. Ventures For The Lord: The History of the Sylvania Franciscans. Sylvania, OH: Sisters of St. Francis, 1990.

Lesiak, Michaeline. Art Catalogue: Narrative in the Duns Scotus Library. Sylvania, OH: Sisters of St. Francis, 1986.

Warpeha, M. Justinian. Of Evergreens Rooted In Yellow Sand, a Profile of Venerable Mother M. Adelaide, Foundress of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio. Sylvania, OH: Sisters of St. Francis, 1967.