Hogue Hall, named for the first Greenville College president, Wilson T. Hogue, was first occupied in 1858, almost 150 years ago as "Old Main." It housed student residences, the library, a kitchen and dining hall, reading room, parlors, classrooms, administration and faculty offices and a chapel for Almira College for women (1855-1892). Built with 500,000 bricks made by hand on the college grounds, the building features an Italianate architectural style with its tall, round-headed windows in the tower and the dormers. Hogue Hall is significant both in terms of its architecture and in the region. Almira College served as one of the earliest extensions westward into Illinois of an eastern idea favorable toward female education. At the time it was built, Hogue Hall was the largest and finest educational building ever seen in southern Illinois.

Purchased for $12,200 in 1892 by the Free Methodist Church, this four-story, 25,000 square foot building now houses the offices of the president and three vice-presidents (Academic Affairs, Finance and Technology), Records Office, Business Office, Information Technology offices and main computer server room, 25 faculty offices and five classrooms. Approximately 75 people work in this building every day. In short, a large part of the entire operation of Greenville College is housed in this historic facility.

During the summer of 2007, due to dramatic enrollment growth (10% this fall alone!), efforts were begun to move the vice president for Student Development and his staff into the eastern end of the first floor of Hogue Hall. During the early stages of this remodeling project serious structural weaknesses were uncovered. Immediate, temporary measures were taken to reinforce the area of concern. Following initial reports by a structural engineer, and with the further advice of restoration architectural specialists, steps were taken to evacuate the outer ends of both wings of the building. Since then, the college learned that our insurance company required the evacuation of the entire building. This has created a crisis of space that only exacerbates the "squeeze" that has emerged in the past two years due to significant growth.

Throughout the late summer and early fall the college, engineers, architects, master planning consultant and various related committees have engaged in discussions regarding relocation of the remaining offices and reconstruction options for Hogue Hall. By early December all faculty and staff previously stationed in Hogue will have relocated to other buildings on or near campus, including office space above the Globe Theatre and a newly vacated building on the town square.

Presently the college awaits word from the Illinois State House of Representatives regarding the vote on a capital bill that includes $5 million for Hogue Hall. If passed, the college will commit to the complete renovation of the building. Additional financing options for this project will include individual donations, federal support, and foundation grants.