For the past 20 years, nestled on Christendom’s sylvan campus, with a wide, beautiful view of the serene Shenandoah River, St. John the Evangelist Library has quietly established itself as the backbone of the college’s campus. A beloved refuge for those late-night paper writers who find inspiration in the stillness of the night, for whispered study sessions that foster collaboration among peers, and for thesis researchers delving deep into their academic pursuits, the library has become an integral part of the daily routine for many students. As Christendom College takes a moment to celebrate the 20th anniversary of St. John the Evangelist Library, the entire Christendom community reflects on the profound impact that one building has had on both the academic and community life of the college.
St. John the Evangelist Library was completed in 2004, a significant milestone born out of the pressing necessity for more space to accommodate a growing academic community. Prior to the construction of the St. John the Evangelist Library, all of Christendom’s books were housed—filled to bursting—within the confines of St. John Paul the Great Student Center.
“The original Christendom College library consisted of the libraries of the founders,” says Associate Librarian Stephen Pilon. “They donated books from their own collections to start the library. From the very beginning, the library was invested in by the faculty.”
This story comes from the latest issue of Instaurare Magazine, the official magazine of Christendom College. Read more from Instaurare here!
Approaching the cusp of the 21st century, it was becoming increasingly clear that the building simply could not accommodate the rapid growth of the college. The idea to construct a new library would be a massive endeavor, and it was not a decision made lightly or hastily. Library Director Andrew Armstrong, along with Pilon, took the planning process very seriously. They embarked on an extensive journey that involved touring numerous libraries, exhaustively researching various cataloging systems, and drawing up logistical plans that were meticulously crafted and then revised multiple times to ensure thorough consideration of all aspects. Armstrong and Pilon were instrumental in this intricate process, working with Dr. Robert Rice and many other dedicated individuals to draft a comprehensive plan for the ideal Christendom library, one that would serve the needs of students and faculty alike and enhance the academic environment while adhering to the mission of the college. Finally, after countless hours of research and planning, the fruit of the research in all its complexities became a stack of paper, a physical plan.
The design plans for St. John the Evangelist Library.
“It was almost a dream, head-in-the-clouds paper for what we would love to have at Christendom,” says Pilon. As the vision gained momentum, architects were brought in to transform those ideas on paper into blueprints, and the project started. The dream was becoming a reality.
As with any development project, there were a number of both setbacks and blessings in the long process of construction. One great gift occurred when an anonymous donor stepped forward and expressed a desire that the library be beautiful. The donor then generously contributed all the cherry and walnut wood that elevates the beauty of the library. The exact spot of the library on campus was chosen by the college, a spot amidst the Christendom Trails fondly called “Angel’s Rest.” The students at the time were able to see the beautiful structure rise before their eyes and feel that they were truly a part of campus being changed forever.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Library with Founder Dr. Warren Carroll (right).
The finished library was dedicated on October 9, 2004. For the next 20 years, the building would oversee the academic journeys of over a thousand students. Though the students become alumni in the crucial steps to the podium to receive their diploma, it is in the quiet nooks of the library that the students learn the discipline, the work ethic, and the habits that will prepare them for the world beyond.
Cardinal Edwin O’Brien blesses the library during the dedication ceremony on October 9th, 2004.
The value of the building is palpable. Upon entering the rotunda, the library exudes a peaceful sense of comfortable academia. Students make camp with stacks of papers and books, surrounded by the wisdom of the ages. The clack of keyboards, the low murmur of voices, the general hush of study and concentration rise into the high ceilings—and the students work late into the night under the arched ceiling of the library, from which hangs a beautiful crucifix funded by Rice and his late wife, Mary Alice. Not only a refuge for the academic life, but for the past 20 years, the library has also been a rich center of community for the students. From the study spaces on the ground floor to the student-run Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop downstairs, the opportunities to interact with the larger student body are constantly present. Every student, from freshman to senior, knows the library is the place to go not only for study but also for a shared community in which they can grow in their identity as Catholic students. It is a place in which they come to see more clearly the greatness to which they are being called and discover the tools to fulfill that calling.
Associate Librarian Stephen Pilon (right) has been with the library staff since its construction.
For the main library staff that has been with the library since its construction, Armstrong, Pilon, Acquisitions Assistant Mickey Krebs, and Cataloging Associate Roberta Peer, the library has been a labor of love—both a love for the Catholic intellectual life and also what the library symbolizes for the greater community.
“The labor and the love that has gone into this library, as well as the generosity that made it happen should be noted,” says Krebs. “It’s very Catholic. It’s Catholic in the way of charity and giving and community.”
As the library celebrates its 20th birthday, the building will continue to stand firm in the principles that inspired its construction so long ago. Of course, while technological innovations have changed and expanded the library’s offerings, the core of the library will remain timeless.
An eagle, inspired by the Book of Kells, is located at the top of the inside dome in the library rotunda — just one of the many intricate details featured in the library.
“While electronic resources are advantageous, we will always have physical books,” says Armstrong. “We understand the importance of physical books and the memories associated with each one.”
Here students can study from the same books hundreds of previous alumni have studied from, with many donated from the founders themselves. The library’s most cherished literary treasures are carefully preserved in the Rare Books Room—a dedicated space that showcases invaluable works, including rare editions by notable authors of the Catholic Literary Revival such as G.K. Chesterton, Evelyn Waugh, and Hilaire Belloc, alongside the collection’s oldest artifact: a Latin text dating to 1502. The power of the physical book in a physical library is profound. Seeing the works of the Rare Books Room, some books hundreds of years old, serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring influence of the liberal arts. It also serves as a reminder of the generosity of the patrons who have donated and continue to donate books every year. Pilon estimates that the library’s collection of physical books has grown from 30,000 to 100,000 books in the past 20 years, with thousands of books still donated each year. These generous donations not only build the library’s collection, but also grow the personal libraries of the students through the used bookstore. Dozens of alumni have gone on to library-related fields because of the love of the work they gained from spending so much time in the Christendom library.
The college’s mission, articulated through founder Dr. Warren Carroll’s call to “Restore all things in Christ,” is evident not only in its aesthetic and academic pursuits but also in the vibrant community that has united both to bring the library to fruition and partake in its ongoing benefits. After two decades of nurturing the research, writings, and connections of Christendom students, the St. John the Evangelist Library stands as the beating heart of campus intellectual life. As the academic anchor, it not only safeguards the evolution of wisdom-seeking minds but also preserves thousands of alumni theses, all while transforming students into scholars ready to shape the future. In essence, this library isn’t just a building—it’s the very foundation of Christendom’s academic legacy.
Written by Lianna Youngman.
Read more from Instaurare Magazine here.