Buildings and History

E. F. Averyt / Paul and Mildred Wood Learning Center, original building erected in 1973–74, houses the Hester Memorial Library, the Miller Bible Museum, the college archives, and the Art Department with a twelve classroom annex constructed in 1998–99. At the heart of the center and of the academic program at North Greenville University is the Hester Memorial Library. The library’s collections include over 60,000 volumes of print books and over 250,000 volumes of e-books and access to over 8000 full-text journal titles, 21,000 academic videos, and 117,000 music recordings. The Miller Bible Museum contains a collection of rare printed Bibles, language Bibles, and artifacts that illustrate the historical development of the written Word of God. The Writing Center and Language Lab are housed in the basement of the building.

Billingsley Theatre is a 250 seat flexible (black box) performing arts venue. Seating can be arranged in a variety of patterns, including proscenium, thrust, and arena. The Billingsley has a spacious lobby and concession stand, dressing rooms and scenery staging dock, and a tension wire grid over the entire space. NGU theatre majors operate every aspect of the theatre under the direction of the faculty and a full-time technical director.

Craft-Hemphill Center for Apologetics and Christian Worldview, completed in August 2011, provides the University with a physical, high-tech “training and sending hub” where students will be trained and commissioned to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ across the street and around the world. With its focus on evangelism, missions, and Christian Worldview, the Center provides students with a variety of high-tech communication options with those serving on the mission field. The Center for Church Revitalization serves as a training center for reigniting the ministry and increasing the effectiveness of existing churches. The Center for Apologetics and Christian Worldview provides resources to help students on and off-campus to possess and express a comprehensive Christian Worldview. The Center includes nine offices, four classrooms, three resource rooms, a conference room, and a 150 seat multi-purpose auditorium.

Crain Science Building is a two-story structure completed in 1962 and houses classrooms and laboratories for chemistry, physical science, biology, physics, math, and elementary education. This building is named for Dr. J. Dean Crain, former principal of the academy.

Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, erected in 1954–55, stands in the center of campus. It contains the College of Business and Entrepreneurship and administrative offices. Renovations were completed in early 2024.

Foster Education Center opened in 1965 as a functional air-conditioned student activities building. It contained game rooms, conference rooms, lounges, and a snack bar. The building is named for A.J. Foster of Columbia, South Carolina. The building was renovated for use by the College of Education and other academic programs in 2005.

Neves Academic Hall, located west of the administration building, is a memorial to B.F. Neves, who gave the original site for the school. The original part of this building was erected in 1943, and new wings were built in 1973. A second addition was completed in 1996. This addition provided extra dining space for 150 people, which increased seating capacity by 50 percent. Paul J. and Mildred M. Wood of Tigerville funded the second addition. In 2006–07, the building was renovated and converted to an academic building with faculty offices and classrooms. In 2020, a major renovation transformed the main floor into the home for NGU’s Student Services Division, including NGUcentral, which provides financial aid, student accounts and academic records services.

White Hall, the oldest building on campus, was named in honor of the Rev. L.B. White. It was renovated in 1992 and now houses faculty offices.

The Joe Frank and Eleanor Hayes Christian Fine Arts Center, completed in 2001, provides studios, classrooms, choir room, music library, band rehearsal hall, and the Hamlin Recital Hall. Joe and Eleanor Hayes, Dan and Martha Boling, and other friends and alumni of the university-funded the center.

Joe Frank and Eleanor Hayes Ministry Center, erected in 1996, houses the Paul E. Moore Hall, the William F. Bishop, and the Thomas C. “Nap” Vandiver Suites sponsored by Carolina First Bank, which accommodates Admissions and Financial Aid. Laura Wood Messer gave a carillon in loving memory of her mother, Helen Roberts Wood, beloved wife of T. Pralo Wood. Hymns are played from the top of the center and can be enjoyed for miles by the Tigerville community. The center was funded by Joe F. and Eleanor Hayes, family and friends of Paul E. Moore, the South Carolina Baptist Convention in honor of William F. Bishop, and Carolina First Bank in honor of “Nap” Vandiver.

Eddie Runion Creative Arts Center was previously the old Roe General Store and was renovated by funding from Kathy Runion Varner and her family in memory of Eddie Runion. It was formerly the home of a TD Bank branch and Einstein Bros. Bagels, but it now houses the Office of University Marketing. It also provides space for the Art Department.

The School of Theatre Building, the former Tigerville Elementary School building, was moved from its original location in 2006. The building was renovated for academics and houses the Department of Theatre.

The Studio at ‘Ole 414 was built in 2008 and housed ceramic and sculpture classes and gallery for the creative art degree program. Zelda Rosti funded the building in memory of her husband Earl K. Rosti.

Turner Chapel and Music Building, erected in 1957-58, provides studios and practice rooms for music students. The chapel will seat approximately 2,060 and fills a great need in the life of the university, especially for regular chapel services, theatre productions, and commencement activities. The chapel is named in honor of R. P. Turner of Greer, a benefactor, and friend of the university. A lobby, restrooms, and additional seating were added in 1998. A second expansion to accommodate additional seating, eight stained glass windows, and the installation of the N. Q. and Martha M. Cline Pipe Organ was completed in 2001.