During 1817 the Serampore missionaries had purchased land to the east of the premises (Mission Chapel) and considerable additions were made till it extended to more than 5 acres. This was by far the most eligible plot of ground in Serampore. It lay in the eastern quarter of the town, apart from the hum of the population, and stretched along the bank of the river directly opposite the Governor-General's park at Barrackpore. It was long debated whether it would not be advisable to remove all the missionary establishments to this spot. The chief ground for rejecting this proposal was the injury caused by so open a manifestation of discord. It was therefore decided to appropriate them to the college buildings, and the ground plan and elevation of a noble edifice, for the accommodation of professors, teachers and 200 students, together with the requisite public rooms, was prepared by the best architectural skill in the country.

John Clark Marshman, 1859.