Brite Divinity School opened its 24,000-square-foot W. Oliver and Nell A. Harrison Building in January, giving the school badly needed space for faculty offices and teaching.

The $15 million facility stands directly east of the seminary’s Jo Ann and Wayne Moore Building and includes classrooms, seminar rooms, a technology-enhanced preaching laboratory, faculty and administrative offices, and a large area for lectures, musical events and special dining functions.

“Many people who care about ministerial education helped make this possible,” said Brite president D. Newell Williams to crowd of 75 who prayed in front of the building on its first day.

The project took 18 months to build and followed a five-year fund-raising effort. A $1.5 million grant in August 2010 from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, a Delaware nonprofit with offices in Tulsa, helped get the project started.

“The Harrison Building is a real achievement for Brite and will add exponentially to its ability to advance its mission,” said Brite trustee Anne Bass.

Williams said the seminary has outgrown the Moore building, which was built in 1952. Back then there were about 50 students and six faculty members. There are now 240 students and 23 faculty members.

In fact, Brite hired new faculty members during the construction phase, trusting that new office space would be available in time, Williams said.

Associate Professor of New Testament Shelly Matthews, who started in January, was one beneficiary.

“I certainly appreciate my space, but students all marvel at how much less cramped the entire school feels,” Matthews said on opening day.

Williams said the breakout rooms would help Brite’s larger classes because students can split into groups and use the rooms instead of crowding in the main classroom.

“We are just moving into it, but already the enhanced opportunities for student community are evident,” Williams said.

It also provided opportunities for thoughtful decor — 1930s Dickson Reeder oil portrait of original Brite dean Colby D. Hall, formerly stashed away in Special Collections, now hangs in the president’s conference room. Wood and glass doors from the old Student Union are also being used in the space.

The new building is named after Oliver Harrison, who served on the school’s board when it voted unanimously in 1952 to admit African-American students.