Manhattan Christian College is a small, private non-denominational college founded in 1927. Joliffe Hall was the first building constructed on the campus. It has served the college in many capacities since, first as classrooms, then as the administration center and chapel.

In the late 1990’s, new needs and uses for Joliffe began to emerge culminating in the plan to completely raze the interior structure - ground to sky - leaving only the historic limestone “shell.” When completed, it will house the campus library on two floors and have a 300 seat chapel/auditorium on the first floor. All-new structural, mechanical and electrical systems will bring the building up to contemporary standards. Architectural work included reuse of many of the former building’s interior features such as wood flooring and trim, decorative wood columns, and original black slate chalkboards reused as wall wainscots. A gas fireplace, faced with tiles cut from the salvaged chalkboard slate will be the focal point of the library.