Despite the alienation of a century earlier, bonds between the
Andover Theological Seminary and the Harvard Divinity School had grown
stronger through the years, and by 1906, when Andover felt a decline
in attendance and a lack of resources, the Seminary entered into
consultation with Harvard University about a possible affiliation and
a plan of affiliation was agreed upon in 1908. The Seminary built
Andover Hall, which was completed in 1911 at a cost of $300,000. It
was designed by the firm of Allen and Collens, which specialized in
ecclesiastical and neo-medieval designs. They also designed Riverside
Church (1930) and The Cloisters (1938) in New York City. After the
plan of affiliation was dissolved, Harvard bought Andover Hall in
1935.
When it was built, Andover
Hall contained a library, lecture and seminar rooms, a chapel,
professors' studies, administrative offices, and dormitory rooms. The
style is called "Collegiate Gothic"; it is Harvard's only
example of this style.
Above: The Moses Stuart Reading Room (now the Sperry Room).
