UMHB Luther Ruins and Old Baylor Bell Tower

Named after Dr. John Hill Luther, president of Baylor College from 1878-1891, Luther Hall was also known as the “College Building.” It was constructed of limestone in the Renaissance Revival style by architect Matthew Dow. The cornerstone was laid on April 21, 1886. The three-story building housed the entire college including classrooms, chapel, student dormitory, parlors, faculty and staff offices, and the Luther family’s living quarters. For years Luther Hall was the only building on campus until enrollment increased and additional structures were built. A fourth floor was added in 1914. 

Before he became the architect for Luther Hall, Matthew Dow and his brother, David, gained notoriety in Belton when Martha McWhirter granted them permission to join the Sanctified Sisters in 1880. Belton citizens were appalled upon learning the news and the Dow brothers were the victims of mob violence. Not easily intimidated, the brothers refused to leave Belton, prompting local authorities to bring charges of insanity. Judge and jury found that the brothers were insane and that "their restraint [was] a duty to society and themselves'' (Belton Journal, Feb. 26, 1880). They were conveyed to the state insane asylum in Austin, where they were subsequently released “as they were obviously sane.”

One of the most devastating fires and greatest property loss of any Baptist institution occurred in the bitterly cold, early morning hours of January 26, 1929 when flames burst from the ceiling in the kitchen area of Luther Hall. The alarm was turned in about 2:30 a.m. and aid was solicited from Temple, Georgetown, and Cameron. After record runs, the equipment from Temple and Georgetown arrived on scene. Located on the ground floor of the ell and extending west, the kitchen fire could not be contained despite heroic efforts of both Belton and Temple fire departments. It soon became apparent that the entire structure would be destroyed. Attention turned to adjacent buildings on campus that were in danger from falling embers. At one point, it appeared as if Wilson Administration Building were in danger and staff began removing valuable records.

Residents of Luther were called together in Burt Hall where roll was taken with fear and trembling. When the last name was called and no one was missing, tears of relief and prayers of thanksgiving sprang to eyes and lips. Not one life had been lost! Due to frequent fire drills offered by the physical education department, the girls had no difficulty in safely leaving the building. One straggler was forced to leap into an outstretched blanket but without injury. Fortunately, there were vacancies in other dorms and cottages owned by the college. “Doubling up” became fashionable even in the Ely-Pepper dining room where meals were served six times a day instead of three. 

No one slept in the few hours remaining before daylight. Before breakfast, gifts poured in from the local community—bags of clothing, blankets, and cash --- and continued to pour in for days. Most girls had saved only what they were wearing. Their fellow students generously offered dresses and shoes for classes which began at 8 a.m. that morning. When the student body gathered as usual for chapel, President Hardy and Dean Townsend were overcome with emotion and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. There was sorrow over the loss of a building so dear to successive generations of students and the financial loss to the College as well as thanksgiving, loyalty, and pride as the girls pledged to carry on and “stand by Baylor.”

On Sunday afternoon a mass community meeting was held at the First Christian Church. Dean Townsend characterized the meeting as “a memorial service for a dear departed building.” He spoke of the sacrifices made to build to Luther Hall and the many phases of Baylor life centered in the building. Dr. Hardy expressed the need to replace the building as quickly as possible and emphasized the great need for Presser Hall since music faculty offices and practice pianos were in Luther.

The following Tuesday the board of trustees met in a special three-hour session and authorized the president to issue an urgent and immediate appeal for relief funds and rebuilding efforts. The board voted to supplement the president’s appeal with a statement of its own with arrangements being made to have the letter read in every Baptist pulpit in the state. The college pledged not to contact for the erection of any building until funds were in hand “thus insuring neither the debt of the college or of the denomination will be increased.” A committee composed of the president, the executive committee, and other members of the board would consider all suggestions regarding size, character, location, architect, etc. of the new dormitory. The full board would consider and approve the plans of this committee before allowing the closing of any contracts. Dr. Townsend was tasked with chairing the fund-raising committee and was released from all other college duties as long as necessary. The campaign goal was $150,000 to be added to the insurance money of $86,400 for the construction of a new dorm. The Belton Chamber of Commerce voted to support and cooperate with Baylor in its big campaign.

“Old Luther drew—and deserved—the tender affection of thousands of Baylor girls; and the best proof of the sincerity of their love will be their response to the call for funds to build a better, safer, more resistant home for the Baylor girls of today and of tomorrow. Luther is gone; but the great “Baylor Spirit” triumphs still, and will inspire Baylor’s daughters and friends the world around to rally as they have never done before to replace the awful loss so far as money can; and to insure and greater, nobler Baylor in all the years to come.”

The remaining rubble was left until 1955 when a memorial was constructed on the site using stones from the building and featured the structure's stone arches. The memorial serves as the backdrop for the annual Easter Pageant and other activities. The bell tower includes two historical bells: the Horton Bell from Independence and the sophomore bell that can be rung only by sophomores. The stabilized ruins form a focal point of the campus near the eastern entrance and are all that remains of the campus' earliest architecture.

Chmielewski, Wendy E. Heaven on Earth: The Woman’s Commonwealth, 1867-1983. Swarthmore College, n.d.

Doorway into the Past [blog]. "Mary Hardin-Baylor University, Luther Hall 1886-1929." Oct. 22, 2020.

"Baylor Dormitory Burns; Saturday Morning Fire Wipes Out Historic Old Luther Hall; Built 1886." Belton Journal, January 31, 1929.