Old College Old College is both the name of the building and the undergraduate seminary program housed within it. The building was originally built as the first permanent structure of the University. Since its construction, this three-story building situated at the heart of the Notre Dame campus has served many functions. For more than thirty years it has been the home of undergraduate men considering a vocation to the priesthood and religious life within the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Old College Entrance
Upon entering the front door on the building's main level, one is right in the heart of Old College. Directly to the left is the house chapel, and to the right is the office of the Director of the Old College Program. Straight ahead are residential rooms and the Sorin Lounge. The primary residential floor is directly up the stairs, and just downstairs are more rooms, the Luther Lounge and the house kitchen.
Old College Chapel
Situated at the main entrance of Old College is the Chapel of the Holy Family where the men of the house regularly gather for Night Prayer as well as for their own personal prayer and devotions.
Sorin Study
Also situated on the main floor is the Sorin Study. It is one of two large community spaces in the building and is ideally suited for individual and group study as well as for late night board games.
Upstairs
The majority of the residential rooms are located at the top of the central stairs, on the building’s third floor.
Seminarian Room
Old College Seminarians (Old Collegians) share rooms with one another. The rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, wardrobes, and dresser for each seminarian as well as a sink.
Seminarian Room
The size and arrangement of each residential room varies depending on the unique floor plan of each room and on the personal tastes of the resident Collegians. One can, however, discern certain decorative themes that are always popular among seminarians and Fighting Irish fans.
Downstairs
Down the stairs from the main entrance of Old College is the Luther lounge, the kitchen, and two additional residential rooms.
Luther Lounge
The Luther Lounge is Old College’s primary social space and television lounge. It is adjacent to the house kitchen. The lounge is named in honor of Br. Ed Luther, C.S.C. who has served the men of Old College for over ten years, and continues to serve as Assistant Director of the program.
Kitchen
Old Collegians have meal plans with the Notre Dame Food Services and take most of their meals in one of the campus’ two dining halls. But the kitchen in Old College allows for a quick breakfast or a late night snack, and is also where Br. Ed Luther treats Collegians to his amazing baked goods.
Sunday Dinner
On Sunday evenings, Old Collegians take turns developing their culinary skills by preparing dinner for the house. The Luther Lounge is converted into a dining room and the community shares a Sunday meal as everyone prepares for a new week of classes.
The Log Chapel
Next door to Old College is the Log Chapel. It is a replica of the original log chapel built by Fr. Stephen Badin which was present in 1842 when Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C. and his company of Holy Cross brothers first arrived with the intention of starting a university.
Old College Prayer in the Log Chapel
Due to the large number of men living in Old College, the house chapel is too small to accommodate everyone comfortably. The men of Old College therefore use the Log Chapel for their community prayer and Masses.They gather in the Log Chapel for their daily morning prayer and several times a week for Mass.
Tuesday Mass in the Log Chapel
On Tuesday nights, Old Collegians invite students from the local campus communities to join them for Mass in the historic Log Chapel. It is an opportunity for the men of Old College to show their peers the Holy Cross tradition of hospitality and devotion to the Eucharist.
Photos by Matt Cashore