Karl Maeser Building
Built in 1911
Karl G. Maeser & The Birth of BYA: Where We Began (1911)
Maeser's story begins in Germany, where he was born and raised. It was there that he first encountered the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After he and his family became some of the earliest converts in Germany, they immigrated to the United States.
In Utah, in 1876, Brigham Young recognized that there was no one better suited to the task of transforming an unorganized student body of 29 into an academy of valor than Maeser. When Maeser’s own successful school was destroyed in an explosion, he sought the Church’s help to rebuild. Instead, Brigham Young said to him, “Brother Maeser, I have another mission for you… We want you to go to Provo to organize and conduct an Academy to be established in the name of the Church.”
The road was never easy. Supporting his small family on tuition paid in pumpkins and turnips and tempted by greater and more secure teaching opportunities in Salt Lake City and his homeland of Germany, Maeser faced many challenges. Yet, turning to his daughter, he exclaimed,
“I have had a dream—I have seen Temple Hill filled with buildings—great temples of learning—and I have decided to remain and do my part in contributing to the fulfillment of that dream.”
The Karl G. Maeser Memorial Building, standing on Temple Hill, is a realization of that dream.
The Maeser Building wasn’t always planned for the top of the hill. Originally, it was set to be built on lower campus near the Academy Building. But when BYU acquired Temple Hill, that vision shifted. The decision was made to place the building at the crest, designed to stand as a beacon of learning and light. Construction began in 1907 and was completed four years later, in 1911. Funding came from around 1,600 generous donors, including Jesse and Amanda Knight, local Church groups, the Alumni Association, other schools, and general Church organizations. Faculty members gave deeply, some donating the equivalent of half a year’s salary to help bring the vision to life. By the time it was finished, the building cost about $130,000, roughly $2.1 million in today’s dollars.
Originally built for classrooms, offices, and large gatherings, the Maeser Building would later serve an unexpected purpose: during World War I, it was converted into temporary barracks for student soldiers.
Karl G. Maeser Building: Where We Are Now
This building is named after Karl G. Maeser, who served as principal of Brigham Young Academy for 16 years. Although he was not the Academy’s first principal, he is widely regarded as its founder. Many great teachers, scholars, and leaders have left a lasting impact on Brigham Young University, but none have surpassed the contribution of Karl Gottfried Maeser, the namesake of this building.
The Maeser Building was the first structure constructed on what would become BYU’s “upper campus,” now home to most of the university’s facilities. As the oldest building still in active use, it is celebrated for its elegant classical design and enduring historical significance.
Today, the Maeser Building serves as the home for the administrative offices of Undergraduate Education and houses BYU’s Honors Program. Open to all students, the Honors Program offers more challenging coursework while providing the benefits of smaller class sizes and closer interaction with faculty.
As a Church-owned institution, BYU continues to uphold high standards in every aspect, academics, facilities, and moral integrity. This commitment is echoed in a powerful statement from Karl G. Maeser himself, reflecting his personal sense of honor:
“I have been asked what I mean by word of honor. I will tell you. Place me behind prison walls—walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground—there is a possibility that in some way or another I may escape. But place me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it—can I get out of the circle? No. Never! I’d die first!”
The cornerstone of the Maeser Building was laid in 1909, and construction was completed in 1911. Originally used as the university’s main administrative building, it served in that role until 1961, when the current Smoot Administration Building was completed. During World War I, the building was even repurposed as barracks for the Student Army Training Corps.
Today, in addition to hosting the Honors Program, the Maeser Building is also home to the General Education Advisement Center.