The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Library and Theatre Building

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Library and Theater Building (rear view, theater and library), Palm Beach Atlantic University

Library and Theater Building (three-quarter view, library), Palm Beach Atlantic University

Library and Theater Building (three-quarter view, theater), Palm Beach Atlantic University

Institution Name: Palm Beach Atlantic University
Original/Historic Place Name: First Baptist Church
Location on Campus: 1101 S. Olive Ave.
Date(s) of Construction:

1977	purchase by the university
n.d.	original construction

Designer: unknown
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Mission/Mission revival, Other (Glossary)
Significance: culture, religion
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: brick and concrete

Roof: tile

Function:

ca. 1977	old main
ca. 1977	chapel (First Baptist Church of Palm Beach)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	classrooms (for theater department)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	academic department building (theater)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	auditorium
ca. 2004-present (2006)	library

Narrative:
The Library and Theater Building was built by the members of the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach. Most of the labor was furnished by the members.

Palm Beach Atlantic College was founded in 1968 under the leadership of Jess Moody, pastor of the First Baptist Church and first president of Palm Beach Atlantic. The college shared the building with the Sunday School of First Baptist until the building was purchased by the college in 1977. A floor was constructed above the original auditorium to provide space for the library.

For the first seven years of the college all administrative offices, the bookstore, and most classrooms were located in this structure.

References: