MOUNT HOLLY — The St. Joseph College Seminary building currently under construction has seen notable progress this summer.
The diocesan Properties Office reports that framing and drywall work is progressing, shingles have been installed on the roof, and brick and pre-cast masonry work has begun on the exterior.
The brick is custom made by Taylor Clay, a Salisbury brick company owned by the Charles Taylor Jr. family, who are parishioners of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury.
The two-story building will include a chapel, classroom, library, conference rooms, a kitchen and refectory (cafeteria), faculty offices, and a guest room for speakers and visiting priests. It will also include 40 dorm rooms or “cells” for the college seminarians.
The building is projected to be substantially completed by next spring.
The college seminary will have the permanent address of 22 Arctus Ave. The name was specifically selected as “arctus,” is Latin for “narrow.” Avenue was chosen because it abbreviates to “Ave” – a nod to “Ave Maria.” The number 22 was chosen to coincide with the feast of the Queenship of Mary on Aug. 22.
Opened in 2016, St. Joseph College Seminary has been a magnet for young men wanting to discern the priesthood. Enrollment growth has been faster than the diocese had anticipated, from eight students in its first year to 26 this year.
Campaign fundraising is under way, with $11 million of the $20 million raised so far.
For information about the St. Joseph College Seminary capital campaign, go to www.stjosephcollegeseminary.org or contact Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development, at 704-370-3301 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter