More of "Making of a Campus"

Bonus content from the 75th anniversary issue of TODAY magazine

A quick history of the buildings where Griffins have lived and learned 

Admissions House: Bought in 1950, this building was originally called "Our Lady of Mercy Convent," and later called "Annunciation."

Alexandria Hall: This former residence hall opened in 2006. Named after St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of scholars, nurses, teachers and student. Alexandria Hall will soon be home to seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, which purchased the building and surrounding land in 2022.

Art Studio: The barn next to Admissions House was originally horse stables for the family who lived next door to campus.

Assumption Hall: Bought in 1947 by the Sisters of Mercy, this Georgian-style mansion was called "The Great Hall" until 1953, when it assumed the name "Assumption Hall."

Byrne Hall: This former academic building was named after Sr. Margaret Mary Byrne, Superior of the Sisters of Mercy of Philadelphia from 1922 to 1928. Over the years, the building housed classrooms, the Hobbit House preschool, Financial Aid, Public Relations, Natural Science faculty, and the Gwynedd-Mercy College Day Camp.

Campbell Hall: Originally called "Madonna Hall," it was later named after Gwynedd Mercy University's second president, Sister Mary Gregory Campbell.

Connelly Faculty Center: Named for Josephine C. Connelly, who with her husband, John, donated funds to build the faculty center.

Fatima Hall: Formerly called "Secretarial Building," it was renamed in 1967 after Our Lady of Fatima.

The Griffin Complex: In 1989, a naming contest won by Brenda Bingaman (staff) and Sr. Madeleine Smith gave this building its name.

Julia Ball Auditorium: Once called “The Auditorium,” it was renamed after a noted benefactor of the Sisters of Mercy and Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Keiss Library: Opened in 1959 as Lourdes Library, it was named after Our Lady of Lourdes. It was renamed Keiss Library in 2014 after Gwynedd Mercy University's third president, Sister Isabelle Keiss.

Loyola Hall: Originally called “the dormitory,” the building was renamed "Loyola Hall" after Sister M. Loyola.

Maryllyn: Bought in 1953 and located a short distance from campus on Gypsy Hill Road, this building was used as a residence hall.

Gustav Martin Science Building: The original laundry building of the Bond estate, this former building was named for Gustav Martin in 1967, the former Director of Research at Gwynedd Mercy, who willed the college 1,400 books for the science department.

Frances M. Maguire Hall: The building opened in 1999 as Keiss Hall, named after Sister Isabelle. It was renamed "Maguire Hall" in Spring 2015 after Frances M. Maguire, an alumna and long-time benefactor of the University.

McAuley Center: At one time the entire academic complex of the college, it was named after Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.

Siena Hall: Named in 2002 after Sr. Catherine of Siena, in honor of Sister Linda Bevilacqua’s Dominican Order.

St. Bernard Hall: Originally called “Liberal Arts Building,” it was renamed after Mother Mary Bernard, the first president of the college. (Aquinas Hall and Madonna Hall were also options for the renaming.)

St. Brigid Hall: Named in 2000 after St. Brigid of Kildare, the patroness saint of Ireland.

Transfiguration Convent: An original building on the Treweryn Estate in 1948, this was the home to Milton Carver, head of Maintenance, Plant, Groundskeeping. In 1988, it was renovated and renamed Transfiguration Convent. Today, plans are underway to move the Admissions Office to this building.

Tabor Convent: Originally a Convent, today, this building houses Catherine’s Cupboard.

Valie Genuardi Hall: In 1997, a new building was built, called Trocaire to house Allied Health programs. In 2000, Trocaire became the Genuardi Hobbit House, after Hobbit House benefactors Frank and Valie Genuardi. When the Hobbit House permanently closed after the COVID-19 pandemic, the building was renamed again Valie Genuardi Hall, and is currently home to second-degree nursing programs.

Waldron Center: Originally referred to simply as “Student Center,” it was renamed Waldron Center in 1967 after Mother Mary Patricia Joseph Waldron, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy of Philadelphia.

Visitation Convent: Once a Convent, it became home to Campus Ministry in 2006 until it was sold to the Charles Borromeo Seminary in 2022. Campus Ministry, now called The Mercy Center for Service, Spirituality, & Justice, is housed in Mercy Hall.