Faith-Based Student Housing at St. Lawrence Seminary

TL;DR Summary

On August 24, 2025, St. Lawrence Seminary (SLS) High School celebrated the dedication of Fr. Solanus Hall, a new senior dormitory designed to support student life, learning and spiritual growth. The day included a community Mass, ceremonial blessing, student-led tours and a celebratory lunch. The new hall adds modern amenities to campus while staying true to SLS’s mission of forming young men in faith and service.

Exterior view of Fr. Solanus Hall at St. Lawrence Seminary, showing the brick and stone façade with the main entrance and landscaping.

Grounded in Faith, Built for the Future

On a late August morning, alumni, friars, priests, students and families gathered on the hills of Mt. Calvary for a celebration decades in the making.

Priests, choir, and students leading Mass in the chapel at St. Lawrence Seminary during the dedication of Fr. Solanus Hall.

The dedication of Fr. Solanus Hall began with a 10:15 AM Mass in the chapel, filled with song and prayer. Alumni returned from across the country to celebrate alongside current students, who led the liturgy through music, readings and hospitality. Their leadership reflected the spirit of St. Lawrence Seminary: faith, service, and community carried forward by each generation.

Alumni, families, friars, and students filling the chapel pews for the dedication Mass of Fr. Solanus Hall.

A Student-Led Celebration

Following Mass, guests made their way by foot and golf cart to the new dormitory for a ceremonial dedication.

Clergy, students, and guests gathered outside Fr. Solanus Hall for the dedication ceremony.

The service included:

Blessing of the cornerstone
Prayer of blessing for the building
Sprinkling of holy water throughout the hall
Hymns sung by the boys’ choir, including God, Be Praised for Humble Service (Dufner)

Students welcomed and guided guests through every moment of the day, directing parking, driving golf carts, leading tours, singing blessings and serving food in the refectory. Their presence was a reminder that this building is more than brick and mortar. It’s a space built for them, and one they joyfully shared with their community.

A large crowd of alumni, students, and community members standing outside for the dedication of Fr. Solanus Hall.

Designing for Daily Life and Spiritual Growth

Fr. Solanus Hall was purpose-built to meet the evolving needs of senior students at SLS. The design balances tradition with modern function, creating a supportive environment for both study and faith formation.

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Highlights include:

27 student rooms and 25 bathrooms
Common study areas, laundry and kitchenettes
A custom brick exterior with an elevated link to St. Mary’s Hall
Expanded parking and new walkways across campus

Interior view of the student commons at Fr. Solanus Hall with lounge seating, study tables, and a ping pong table.

The architecture reflects both durability and belonging, spaces that invite study, prayer and community, while ensuring safety and accessibility for today’s students.

Building Community Through Craftsmanship

Delivering a project like Fr. Solanus Hall required more than blueprints, permits and schedules. It's built on a foundation of collaboration between St. Lawrence Seminary leaders, Ramlow/Stein Architecture + Interiors, local subcontractors and skilled tradespeople.

Corridor and overlook inside Fr. Solanus Hall showing modern lighting, windows, and common areas.

Self-performed masonry, carpentry and concrete work were paired with coordinated mechanical and electrical systems, ensuring every detail met high standards of quality. By working with trusted local partners, the project invested not only in the future of the Seminary, but in the broader community.

Completed at the end of summer, the hall opened in time for students to move in at the start of the 2025–2026 school year.