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 and Designer(s):

1977	purchase by the university Unknown
n.d.	original construction Unknown

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: brick; concrete

Roof: tile

Function:

ca. 1968	other (bookstore)
ca. 1968	administration
ca. 1968	old main
ca. 1968	chapel (First Baptist Church of Palm Beach)
pre- 1977	other (First Baptist Church of Palm Beach Sunday School)
ca. 2004-present (2007)	classrooms (for theater department)
ca. 2004-present (2007)	academic department building (theater)
ca. 2004-present (2007)	auditorium
ca. 2004-present (2007)	library

Significance: culture, religion
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

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:

I. Bibliographic sources:

None specified.

II. Location of other data:

University: Special Collections

Other: First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach