Earlier this week, 60 female Providence students moved into our new residence, making it their home for the next four months of study.
Students were busy unpacking, setting up and decorating their rooms. Everyone had smiles on their faces, excited to be the first ones to sleep on the new mattresses and hang up their clothing in the never-used-before oak wardrobes. Some were lining their window frames with plants and others were stringing lights around their rooms to create ambiance and effect.
This new residence is the result of months of planning and hard work. When you first walk into the building, you step into a large open space with wood-paneled flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows lining the back south-facing wall. Your eye is immediately drawn to a feature stone fireplace and the spaciousness and brightness of the room. Everything smells and feels brand new, and that’s the joy of it all. It’s like walking into a real life experience played out on your favorite HGTV show.
The first floor is designed with all our Providence students in mind, giving them a beautiful place to meet, chat and hangout. Big screen TVs are mounted on the walls and a ping pong table is available for anyone who wants to engage in a friendly competition. The room is filled with comfy sofas and sofa chairs, offering a soft place to land after a long day of classes and studying.
This main level serves many functions featuring large multi-purpose spaces for a classroom, meeting room, prayer/worship room, lounge and kitchen on the left wing. There’s an elevator to the second and third floors as well as two live-in apartments for a residence director and/or faculty family on the right wing.
University classes are starting to be held in the new building, and Providence’s Student Development department plans to hold regular all-residence meetings at this new location. As aromas of freshly baked cookies filled the place, it is clear that our students are making this building into their home.
Providence has named our new residence “Muriel Taylor Hall.” Taylor was among the first three faculty members employed to instruct and prepare young people for ministry and missions when Providence, then Winnipeg Bible Training School, opened in 1925. She is the longest-serving female Biblical Studies professor in Providence history.
Taylor served for more than 25 years, and Providence is now honoring her legacy in special tribute to her selfless service to the Lord and her students.
On February 10th, Providence invites you to join us for a short program including a building dedication and tour from 2 pm to 4:30 pm. We extend an open invitation for you to come and celebrate with us especially if you haven’t had the chance to look around and see the finishing touches for yourself.
