Hainer Residence Hall

Hainer Residence Hall was the first dormitory to be built on the purchased St. Davids property in 1952. The building first opened on September 14, 1953 and dedicated the following October, named for John A. Hainer, one of the original six founders of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary). Hainer was originally occupied by men only until 1976, and the Hainer East extension was added in 1999.

Hainer Residence Hall is the third oldest dorm hall on campus and the first new residence hall built on the purchased land in 1952. It opened for students on September 14, 1953 and was dedicated on October 4, 1953, named for John A. Hainer, first honorary degree recipient of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary and one of the original six founders of the seminary from March 19, 1925 (Founders' Day). Hainer was also the pastor of Blockley Baptist Church in West Philadelphia for approximately 27 years until his death in 1941. He famously donated the first monetary gift to the seminary: $26 in 1926.

The resident hall was occupied by men only until 1976, at a time when female occupancy on campus was overflowing the women-only dorms. Space became such a commodity that the Hainer East extension was added in 1999. It has since become a co-ed dormitory that is known for its proximity to other dormitories Kea-Guffin Hall, Gough Hall, and Gallup Hall. It shares a parking lot with those three other residence halls.

Hainer Hall is 32,827 total square feet, with approximately three levels, 88 rooms, and 145 beds. There are several apartments within Hainer, one of which is for the Resident Director, and a basement lounge in Hainer East that has offices and places to relax.

"Hainer Residence Hall." Folder in Eastern University Archives. Located at Warner Memorial Library, Eastern University, St. Davids, PA, 19087.

"Dorm Profile: Hainer Hall (Hainer Hall Has It All!)." The Waltonian. Vol. 7, Issue 6. November 10, 2005. https://rescarta.eastern.edu/ResCarta-Web/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=fc939b89-3753-40ae-8e8c-1b3f77ac7a27/easa0000/20110817/00000701

"Hainer Hall." The Log. 2007. https://rescarta.eastern.edu/ResCarta-Web/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=fcbb0d2d-74da-448f-927c-69011da4c0cd/easa0000/20240807/00000051