Joseph Smith Academy
Encyclopedia
The Joseph Smith Academy ("JSA") was an educational complex in Nauvoo, Illinois
, less than 1000 feet (304.8 m) from the Nauvoo Temple
. Until recently, the Academy was home to a BYU
distance study program focusing on church history. For this reason, the Academy is sometimes referred to as the BYU Nauvoo Center.
The Academy no longer is functioning and the building was torn down beginning in September 2007, due to then LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley
not wanting any buildings to obstruct the view to and from the Nauvoo Temple
.
The dormitories
at JSA provided housing for local missionaries, visiting youth groups and conferences, CES students on distance learning expedition, and other interests.
The building in which the JSA is housed was purchased from Catholic nuns who had used the facilities to run a girl's boarding school. The building had a unique architecture
and interior design
, with curving hallways, 5 feet (1.5 m) lampshades, "bubblepaper" wallpaper and many other curious traits.
The first group of BYU students to live in the JSA came in January 2000, although BYU had sent students to live in the Nauvoo area previously. Portions of Peace, Love & Gingerbread, a book about the first semester students lived in the JSA, circulated around the internet for a while but interest was fleeting.
Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Although the population was just 1,063 at the 2000 census, and despite being difficult to reach due to its location in a remote corner of Illinois, Nauvoo attracts large numbers of visitors for its historic importance and its...
, less than 1000 feet (304.8 m) from the Nauvoo Temple
Nauvoo Temple
The Nauvoo Temple was the second temple constructed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons. The church's first temple was completed in Kirtland, Ohio, United States in 1836. When the main body of the church was forced out of Nauvoo, Illinois in the...
. Until recently, the Academy was home to a BYU
BYU
-Education:* Brigham Young University, a university located in Provo, Utah, USA administered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.**BYU Salt Lake Center, a satellite center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA...
distance study program focusing on church history. For this reason, the Academy is sometimes referred to as the BYU Nauvoo Center.
The Academy no longer is functioning and the building was torn down beginning in September 2007, due to then LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
not wanting any buildings to obstruct the view to and from the Nauvoo Temple
Nauvoo Temple
The Nauvoo Temple was the second temple constructed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons. The church's first temple was completed in Kirtland, Ohio, United States in 1836. When the main body of the church was forced out of Nauvoo, Illinois in the...
.
The dormitories
Dormitory
A dormitory, often shortened to dorm, in the United States is a residence hall consisting of sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, college or university students...
at JSA provided housing for local missionaries, visiting youth groups and conferences, CES students on distance learning expedition, and other interests.
The building in which the JSA is housed was purchased from Catholic nuns who had used the facilities to run a girl's boarding school. The building had a unique architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and interior design
Interior design
Interior design describes a group of various yet related projects that involve turning an interior space into an effective setting for the range of human activities are to take place there. An interior designer is someone who conducts such projects...
, with curving hallways, 5 feet (1.5 m) lampshades, "bubblepaper" wallpaper and many other curious traits.
The first group of BYU students to live in the JSA came in January 2000, although BYU had sent students to live in the Nauvoo area previously. Portions of Peace, Love & Gingerbread, a book about the first semester students lived in the JSA, circulated around the internet for a while but interest was fleeting.