The oldest building on Lehigh’s campus – and one that predates the founding of the university – is Christmas Hall. It was built as a Moravian Church. (The cornerstone was laid on Christmas Eve).

Lehigh founder Asa Packer initially sold the land on which it stands to a group of Moravians, who built the stone structure and held services there. But as plans for the university unfolded, the Moravians agreed to sell the building, allowing Lehigh to renovate it and open a year earlier than first planned, with 39 students. Lehigh’s first classes were held in Christmas Hall on Sept. 3, 1866.

The hall has housed a chemical lab, library, classrooms, dorms and President’s office. It is now home to the mathematics department.

As Lehigh grew, Saucon Hall was built 50 feet to the east. An entryway was later built that joined the two buildings, resulting in the name Christmas-Saucon Hall.