Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School Opens New $7.4M Brower Student Center for Arts, Athletics and Academics
FEBRUARY 20, 2024
It’s a new day at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School as the Early Learners – Grade 12 college-preparatory school in Powhatan, VA celebrates the Grand Opening of the Brower Student Center on February 20. The two-story, $7.4M student center is named in honor of Kathleen and Keith Brower, whose generous gift and dedication to the school led the five-year Knight’s Charge capital campaign, the most ambitious growth initiative undertaken in the school’s history. Inspired by the loving care shown them after the loss of their granddaughter, Arabella Stuart Brower, Class of 2016, the Browers turned their sorrow into a blessing, providing the school with many improvements, starting with a fresh coat of paint in 2018 and culminating with the completion of the Brower Student Center.
“In a last conversation with Arabella, she told us how much she loved this school. The Student Center will be a lasting symbol of Bella’s presence on this campus that she so loved. There is still a lot of work to be done and we urge the community to join us in continuing the transformation.”
Kathleen and Keith Brower
This 18,000 square foot center, designed for opportunities and innovation in Arts, Athletics, and Academics, answers the need for new learning spaces due to recent, dramatic school growth. Since 2018, enrollment has grown from 257 to 460 students (growth of 80%). The opening of the Brower Student Center will mark the ending of a five-year period of transformational change at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot that includes significant educational enhancements and campus-wide renovations on the school’s 40-acre grounds.
The new student center, built by M.L. Bell Construction and designed by architectural firm Gooss & Associates AIA features 19 new classroom and learnings spaces that will serve the entire BSH student body from age 2 to grade 12. Within the Brower Student Center, the Lower School Art Studio is home to an art program sure to infuse creativity and a love of the arts in our younger students. In the Green Screen Studio, students will learn journalism techniques, explore emerging technologies, and engage media as they find new ways to tell stories. The Black Box Theater provides a rehearsal and performance space. Our Athletic Program gained a new gymnasium, weight room, and coaching center. The S.T.E.A.M. classroom headquarters our innovative way of teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Mathematics, focusing on environmental stewardship and learning. The Kidwell Kitchen welcomes the entire community.
“We are enthusiastic about the innovative learning and creativity that our students will experience in this signature building on our campus.”
Tracy Hamner, Head of School
“We are so grateful for every contribution helping us build and sustain a strong, proud future and enrich our students’ lives beyond measure. With generous support from the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, charitable organizations including Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, Richard S. Reynolds Foundation, Herndon Foundation, Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, local businesses, and over 175 donors from the Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Community, we are close to meeting our $11.7M Knight’s Charge Capital Campaign goal.”
Sue Hickey, Director of Development at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot
Other improvements since 2018 to modernize and enhance the school since include:
- 2,700 square foot Visual Art Center with landscaped courtyard
- FlutterFly Park
- Complete renovation of Parker Gymnasium, Library, and the Front Office
- Renovation of 34 classrooms
- Information technology improvements
- Academic program growth and improved teacher salaries
- Expanded athletics offerings
- Three new scholarship programs
- Students will begin using new spaces in the Brower Student Center immediately after the opening on February 20.
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About Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School
Blessed Sacrament Huguenot is the only private, co-ed, Early Learners through Grade 12 Catholic school in the Greater Richmond Region. Located on a 40-acre campus in Powhatan, Virginia, BSH is part of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Students of any faith background are eligible for admission.
Blessed Sacrament Huguenot’s proud history encompasses two Powhatan schools, Blessed Sacrament at Belmead and Huguenot academy, joined as one in 1998. Our unwavering commitment remains firmly rooted in delivering a well-rounded, faith-inspired curriculum, ensuring that every student is accepted for who they are and equipped for a bright future filled with purpose and achievement.
