Emmaus Hall

Architect: Jackson and Associates, St. Cloud; Grooters, Leapaldt, Tideman

Contractor: Wahl Construction Company, St. Cloud, Minnesota

Dates: 1950–1951; renovation 1993-1994

Emmaus Hall was constructed in 1950 by the Diocese of Saint Cloud as a seminary for priesthood students.   The architect was Frank W. Jackson, St. Cloud.  It was commonly called “the Seminary” or “Cloud Hall”. The building is a four story structure of reinforced concrete faced with brick and other decorative stone. The lounge and library are enhanced by a series of stained glass windows.  It cost $600,000 to build the housing for the expected 100 seminarians from not only Saint Cloud from various dioceses across the country. The building was blessed on 16 September 1952 by Cardinal Edward Mooney of the Archdiocese of Detroit, two archbishops and 24 bishops from 12 states and Yugoslavia. 

In the 1960s, after Vatican Council II, there was a decline in seminarians across the nation. At first the extra spaces were used for overflow housing for the university, but Rome preferred that the seminary be a separate building. St. Cloud's Bishop Jerome Hanus bequeathed the seminary building back to St. John’s in 1993. With that transfer, the old seminary received its new identity as Emmaus Hall, and was used for housing lay and religious students of the School of Theology.  “Emmaus” is the town to which the disciples were walking after Easter morning when Jesus came and walked with them and explained the scriptures; at Emmaus they recognized the risen Lord in the breaking of the bread. 

In 1993, a significant renovation was undertaken:  10 apartments were created as well as 22 larger rooms and 33 single rooms making occupancy at 65 students.  Also some classrooms were built in the ground floor of Emmaus Hall for the School of Theology.  It has also served as office space for some of the various programs of the university.

“Archbishop Murray Dedicates Seminary,” St. Cloud Register, Vol. 28, No. 39, page 1.

Barry, Colman OSB, Worship and Work, 1980, pp. 295-296.

Bourassa, Stan. "Students in Diocesan Seminary Like Facilities of New Building," The Record, 29 February 1952, p. 2.  [Also photo of basement recreation room on p. 4.] 

Culhane, Dick “Seminary Cornerstone Laid Today,” The Record, 27 April 1950.

McDonald, James X., “Cardinal Presides at Blessing of Diocesan Seminary Building,” The Record, 26 September 1952.

Twomey, Joseph “St. John’s Seminary Rediscovered” The Record, 9 April, 1992 p. 6.

Yzermans, Vincent A., The Spirit in Central Minnesota, Vol. 1, 1989. pp 337-341.