Immediately following the daily chapel service at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis on Friday, March 18, a special ceremony was held to demolish a portion of a wall outside the Koburg-Wartburg dining complex. This symbolic action was the official kick-off for a renovation project which will enhance a portion of the historic campus.

The Seminary’s President, Dr. Dale A. Meyer, commented on the event, saying, “We are most grateful to all those who have assisted the Seminary with their gifts to this endeavor. The benefits to those who use our campus will be many.”

The funding for the project was made possible through the How Will They Hear? capital campaign conducted from 2005 to 2010. Gifts were given for three areas – Pastors, Place, and Promise.  The “Place” funds were specifically designated for the renovation project officially begun on March 18.

The Phase One Project, as it is called, will increase efficiency of food delivery activity and will provide for a new plaza for students, faculty, and staff along with a new entrance to the Koburg-Wartburg complex. To facilitate this, the stone wall needed to come down. Various office moves will be part of the project, bringing many of the student-oriented services together in the Stoeckhardt building. The Re-Sell It Shop and the Food Bank will move into the lower floor of Koburg-Wartburg. The intent will be a student and community-oriented space.

In order to commemorate this day, a brief video was made depicting the demolition of a portion of the wall, with an introduction by Dr. Meyer. It is available on Concordia Seminary’s website, www.csl.edu. A running blog site, http://phaseone.www.csl.edu, will be updated frequently throughout the renovation process with news, photos, and videos.

For more information, please contact Chad Lakies, Phase One Committee Public Relations, at 314-505-7238.