Presbyterian Churches in America celebrate Groundbreaking for seminary facility

Close to 450 people participated in a chapel service and groundbreaking ceremony for a new administrative and classroom facility to be built by Poettker Construction at Covenant Theological Seminary on Conway Road in St. Louis.

Covenant is the seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) so trustees and friends of the denomination flew in from around the country for a board meeting and to participate in the groundbreaking. The project is part of a three-year initiative to enhance Seminary programs and facilities

“This is a historic opportunity to prepare the next generation of pastors and ministry leaders to transform the world with the Gospel through the local church,” said Dr. Bryan Chapell, president of the seminary.

The new building is a three-story, 43,000 square-foot structure which is being built into the hillside just west of the existing Rayburn Chapel. The architect is Christner, Inc. in Clayton, Missouri. Christner specializes in aesthetic excellence with a high degree of technical competence.

Poettker Construction is the Construction Manager for the administration building. The facility is the fourth project that Covenant engaged Poettker Construction Company to perform pre-construction budgeting/scheduling and oversee construction operations for the seminary. In addition, they constructed a site improvements project in 2005 and J. Oliver Buswell Library, which was completed in October of 2000.

“I have done a number of buildings and this has been by far the best relationship I have enjoyed with a general contractor,” said Wayne Copeland, vice president of Business Administration for Covenant after the completion of Buswell Library.

The administration building is scheduled for completion in August 2008, It has a sky lit central stair following the profile of the hill to link the three floors. High Traffic offices are conveniently located close to the entry on the ground floor. The middle level contains classroom space, the offices of the President’s cabinet, faculty offices and an outdoor connection to Rayburn Chapel. The third floor contains two classrooms, additional faculty offices and the preaching chapel.

“We are honored to be once more selected to offer our talents for such an important project,” said Charles Poettker, president and CEO of Poettker Construction. “Christner has designed a beautiful building that will be central to the mission of this campus for generations to come.”

For more information contact Poettker Construction at 618-526-7213.