Imagine noble roots stretching back to 1636. That’s where our story of Copley Hall begins. This isn’t just any building. It’s a testament to history, faith, and the enduring spirit of Georgetown University.
Copley Hall stands as one of Georgetown’s oldest dormitories. It was completed in 1932. The building is named for Father Thomas Copley S.J. He was no ordinary Jesuit. Born of noble lineage, he arrived in St. Mary’s City in 1636. He secured 10000 acres of land for bringing 48 men to build the colony.
Father Copley’s life took a dramatic turn in 1645. A Puritan buccaneer plundered St. Inigoes and St. Mary City. Father Copley was taken to England. He spent two years imprisoned. Though banished, he eventually returned to Maryland.
He is believed to have drafted the Act of Toleration. It was the first act granting religious freedom in North America. His grandfather, Sir Thomas Copley, held similar sentiments sixty years prior.
Copley Hall itself is a “Sermon in Stone”. That is what it and White-Gravenor have been called. A Latin inscription graces the main gable. It translates to “Loyola’s fortune still may hope to thrive If men and mould like those of old survive”.
Look closely at the tower. It bears the Cross and the Seal of the United States. The upper gable proudly displays the seal of Georgetown. Over the entrance, a three-story bay window showcases four major seals. They represent Sodality. They represent Athletics. They represent the Philodemic Society. They represent The Journal.
Athletics has six emblems carved into it. They represent baseball. They represent football. They represent track. They represent tennis. They represent golf. They represent basketball.
The south gable features three historic emblems. There is the family crest of St. Ignatius. There is the Lily of the seal of the University of Paris. There is the seal of the Society of Jesus.
The large bay window commemorates twelve Georgetown men. These men were leaders in their professions. Edward Douglas White was Chief Justice of the United States in 1910. Gaston was an associate justice in North Carolina. James Ryder Randall penned “Maryland, My Maryland”. William W. Corcoran founded the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
Once upon a time, the Reading Lounge held a peculiar treasure. It was the head of a buffalo. Colonel William “Buffalo Bill” Cody gifted it to General Sheridan. An alumnus eventually donated it to Georgetown.
Copley Hall hosted a unique event on January 23, 1946. It was a reception for Navy Chaplain Father Joseph Timothy O’Callahan S.J. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman. Father O’Callahan bravely served aboard the U.S.S. Franklin. He ministered to the wounded and dying. He organized fire-fighting crews. He even cooled hot bombs rolling on the deck. He received the Purple Heart for his wounds. “Battle Stations” a 1956 movie, immortalized his life.
Father O’Callahan earned degrees from Georgetown University. He was the first military chaplain to receive the Medal of Honor. The ship’s captain called him “The bravest man I ever saw”.
During the school year 1966-1967, Bill Clinton lived in Room 410 Copley Hall.
Copley Hall is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living tapestry woven with stories of courage, intellect, and faith. As you stand here, remember the echoes of the past and the vibrant present that define this remarkable place.