Luther Hall turns 100

August 8, 2025

1938 Luther Hall exterior
1938 Luther Hall exterior

Luther Hall was once a ghost town.

The Wartburg campus in Waverly sat vacant in fall 1933, shuttered by the American Lutheran Church as it consolidated its colleges across the Midwest.

President August Engelbrecht, with the help of civic and church leaders, preserved the buildings and their contents — just in case the decision to move Wartburg’s operations east to Clinton was less than permanent.

One year later, the campus hosted the ALC general convention. Thanks to an all-out effort by the Waverly community, attendees were so impressed by the facilities, especially Luther Hall, that the return of Wartburg was overwhelmingly approved for the 1935-36 academic year.

“Luther Hall is why we’re here,” said Dr. Terrance Lindell, professor of history. “It’s a good, solid building that has evolved to meet the school’s needs.” 

Luther Hall
Luther Hall was designed by architect Mortimer B. Cleveland of Waterloo. Bids were let to Louritzen Construction, general contracting, $75,256; E. C. Richards, plumbing, $3,994; and Waverly Electrical Co., $1,950. A number of students working their way through college took construction jobs on the conveniently located building.
Luther Hall was home to most of the academic departments, classrooms, administration, and even the library at one point.
Luther Hall was home to most of the academic departments, classrooms, administration, and even the library at one point.
The exterior of luther hall during renovations in the 1950s.
The 1950s addition brought more space for classrooms, offices, and most notably, Neumann Auditorium.
Exterior shot of Luther Hall during dedication ceremony
The 1950s addition was dedicated in an outdoor ceremony.
Exterior shot of luther hall with students sitting on the grass.
The Luther Hall transom from the Bremer Avenue side of the building can still be seen on the second floor inside the Rada-Aleff Classroom Technology Center that was built onto the south side of Luther Hall in 1992.
The Luther Hall tansom can still be seen on the second floor inside the Rada-Aleff Classroom Technology Center.
The Luther Hall tansom can still be seen on the second floor inside the Rada-Aleff Classroom Technology Center.
Exterior shot of Luther Hall with cars parked on what is now the sidewalk.
Until the South Campus Addition of 1992, you could drive up to the front of Luther Hall from Bremer Avenue.
Luther Hall renovations on the central corridor
Over the years, Luther Hall has been renovated several times to accommodate our needs. In the late 1980s, the third floor of Luther Hall was remodeled to move the central corridor to the campus mall side. The archways can still be seen today.
Luther Hall exterior from 2025 with yellow flowers in the foreground
Luther Hall today