USA > Kentucky > Madison County > Glimpses of historic Madison County, Kentucky > Part 11
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The present enrollment of the college and Foundation School is about 1400, and about 35,000 have been registered as students dur- ing the school's history.
The general aim of the College is "to contribute to the spiritual and material welfare of the mountain region of the South by af- fording to young people of character and ability, and limited
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Boone Tavern: Its new front on Main Street. Famous for its hospitality and fine foods. Photograph by Matson Studio, Berea.
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financial resources, a thorough Christian education. Work is of- fered in the Foundation School on the secondary level, in the College and the School of Nursing. The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in a large number of areas of study. The Bachelor of Science degree is offered in Business Administration, Agriculture, Home Economics.
"As part of the total educational program, and to provide oppor- tunity for self-help, work is made available for all students."
-By Warren Dean Lambert of Berea College
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America split in August, 1861, over issues of the Civil War. The Southern division organized the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of America-the eleven states forming the Confederacy. Not until 1866-67 did the Presbyterians of Kentucky separate, though there were serious differences among them during the War, some mem- bers sympathizing with the Union and others with the Confederacy. When the division did occur the courts gave (1871-72) the church property in Kentucky to the Northern Synod. The most important decision (5 to 4) in the dispute was written by Associate Justice Samuel Freeman Miller of the United States Supreme Court (Wat- son vs Jones, Wallace, 679, involving the ownership of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church in Louisville). When the Southern Presbyterians lost Centre College in the State's highest court, they interpreted the Supreme Court's decision as final in such con- troversies and began to build new church buildings, manses, and to plan for their own higher institution of learning.
By 1872-73 the alumni of Centre College who had sympathized with the Confederacy organized the Alumni Association of Central University to establish an educational institution equal to Centre College. In conjunction with the Southern Synod, the Associa- tion secured subscriptions and made other arrangements to found a university of their own in Kentucky. Rev. Robert L. Breck, pastor of the Southern Presbyterian church in Richmond, apparently, led the movement in Madison County in procuring subscriptions to the fund to establish the school. Curtis Field Burnam and Dr. Moberly were also active, but S. P. Walters of Richmond was the man who underwrote an amount sufficient to influence the Association to
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choose Richmond for the University. According to the late Judge Jerre A. Sullivan, an aluminus of the University, Mr. Walters in- structed Rev. Breck to guarantee total subscriptions in excess of the amount subscribed by any other community.
Judge Sullivan stated in the Richmond Daily Register for January 16, that Rev. "Breck was the founder of Central University .. . " As "probably the ablest minister in the Southern Presbyterian Church and the only minister who could hold his own in debate with Dr. Robert J. Breckenridge, "thus he was able, with Mr. Walter's guar- antee, to win support for the location of the University in Madison County. To the "small Presbyterian Church in Richmond, however, Judge Sullivan gave much credit in determining the location of the school. Since Richmond had made the largest total subscription that city was selected as the location for Central University. On September 22, 1874 the main building of the University was dedi- cated and class work begun.
Central University was planned on a large scale. Its charter provided for a Liberal Arts College, a College of Law, and a Uni- versity High School in Richmond, five other high schools elsewhere, and colleges of Medicine and Dentistry in Louisville. A seminary to train ministers was also allowed. Only three of the five prepara- tory schools outside Richmond were organized-at Elizabethtown, Jackson and Middlesboro. In due time the colleges of medicine (1874) and dentistry (1876) were established in Louisville. Both branches of the church finally organized the Presbyterian Seminary on Broadway in Louisville.
Reverend Robert L. Breck was Chancellor of the University until 1880, when Reverend Lindsay H. Blanton succeeded him. This former Confederate chaplain remained Chancellor until the University was united with Centre College in 1901. The colleges had presidents and the preparatory schools, principals. A board of trustees and a board of curators constituted the legislative and governing body of the University.
During its twenty-seven years of existence the University ranked with other Southern higher institutions of learning. Its equipment was hardly satisfactory, but its faculty was well prepared, several holding the degree of doctor of philosophy. Even the master's degree was conferred by the liberal arts college in Richmond. The size of graduating classes in the college ranged from four in 1876
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to twenty-five in 1898. There was one graduate, French Tipton, in 1875. The college of law ceased to exist in a few years, but was revived in 1897. The total number of graduates from the liberal arts college was 302. The medical and dental colleges had better finan- cial support and graduated larger numbers, fifty-one from the medical in 1891 and twenty-six from the dental in the same year. At the same commencement only six bachelor's and three master's degrees were conferred in Richmond.
Students of Central University in Richmond enjoyed extra-cur- ricular activities common to colleges of their time. There were fraternities, athletics, publications (the Atlantis and the Central News, a weekly printed on the campus) and even a military unit. The college boasted of having a museum. Its greatest rival in athletics was Centre College, which it defeated in both football and baseball during the last year of its existence. Not until the 1890's did the University become coeducational, the first woman graduat- ing in 1894.
Central University was nevertheless obliged to disappear in Richmond. There was really no need for it in the State; competition was therefore very rife, and necessary financial support was lacking. People in Richmond had subscribed $101,345 to insure its establish- ment, but only about $68,000 of the subscription was collected, and efforts to obtain a satisfactory endowment were unfruitful. Tuition was never more than $30 a semester at the College in Richmond. Of nearly $500,000 subscribed in the University's history much was never paid. The entire amount collected from every source during the period of June, 1895 to July, 1901, was only $104,076. The University suffered because of the panics of 1873 and 1893.
The largest enrollments in Richmond were 217 in 1891-92 and 210 in 1893-94, after which the attendance decreased. The medical and dental schools were self supporting, and the University High Schools, as the preparatory schools were generally called, got along financially better than the central school in Richmond. Sentiment for union with Centre College which began in the 1880's, increased in the 1890's. Finally the boards of the two institutions and some friends, in an all night session after commencement in Richmond, in 1901, agreed on terms of union. The college in Danville was to be The Central University of Kentucky, and to assume all the obligations of both schools. There remained in Richmond eight
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buildings and a campus, which were in a short time to be the property of what finally became Eastern Kentucky State College. (See the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, Vol. 32, No. 99, for a thirty-six-page account of Central University by the senior author. )
EASTERN KENTUCKY STATE COLLEGE
"Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can permanently be maintained." When James Abram Garfield made this statement in accepting (July 12, 1880) the nomination for the presidency of the United States, Joseph Desha Pickett was in the first year of his long term of office (1879-1887) as Superintendent of Public In- struction in Kentucky. Every one of his able eleven predecessors had recognized the truth that Garfield had so classically expressed, and had in turn urged the Legislature of the Commonwealth to establish schools for the training of teachers.
The essence of this educational maxim was stated by Superin- tendent Pickett in his first report to the Legislature of Kentucky. His eloquence, however, was of no avail; nor were his successors any more successful, until the administration of James A. Fuqua. In 1904, under his leadership, a whirlwind campaign was organized to cause one or more normal schools to be created in the State. Every available agency was enlisted in the cause-the press, the Kentucky Educational Association, its Journal, an Educational Im- provement Association, and special committees were utilized. The object of this campaign was to create sentiment that would over- whelm the Legislature when it met in January, 1906, and thus secure the much needed legislation. The result was unanimous approval, by both houses, of a law providing for two normal schools. Hon. Richard W. Miller, in the House, and Hon. Curtis F. Burnam, in the Senate, both from Madison County, worked valiantly for the passage of the measure. Much credit should also be given Jerre A. Sullivan, W. R. Shackelford, Mayor Clarence Woods, A. R. Burnam, W. B. Smith, Dr. C. H. Breck, Rev. Hugh McClellan, County Superintendent of Schools, John Noland, and others of a large committee which promoted the passage of the bill and the location of one of the schools in Richmond. (See Ch. II in Three Decades of Progress, etc. mentioned in the Bibliog-
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raphy.) There were also able supporters (H. H. and T. C. Cherry, and Dr. R. N. McCormack) from Bowling Green. By March 6 the bill had passed both Houses and fifteen days later Governor J. C. W. Beckham signed the measure and made certain the establishment of the schools.
The location of the normals became a controversy while the bill was under consideration in the Legislature. In fact, the bill first provided for only one school, and sentiment seemed favorable to placing it at Bowling Green. In order to secure a normal for Rich- mond, alumni of Central University in Richmond, and others friendly toward that city had the bill modified to make likely a school for Madison County. The law provided therefore for two normals. Governor Beckham was influenced to appoint a committee to choose locations for the schools which was favorable to Rich- mond, whose advocates had presented evidence at Frankfort that their city had the plant of Central University, valued then at $125,000, and other conditions immediately available for a normal school. Richmond and Bowling Green were chosen, and soon began plans to begin the training of teachers.
The opposition of the private colleges in the State to the estab- lishment of public training schools for teachers was of little conse- quence. A futile effort was made in the courts, however, to cause the legislation to be annulled.
The Legislature appropriated $10,000 to be divided equally be- tween the two schools for equipment and improving buildings and grounds, and $40,000 annually to be divided equally between the schools for salaries.
Much work was needed to prepare for the opening of the school in Richmond. The Regents chose Dr. R. Neville Roark President. Dr. Roark had gone before the general assembly in January 1904 in an attempt to secure legislation to establish a normal school independent of the State College now the University of Kentucky. For sometime he had been head of the normal department of the State College. Believing however in a special professional insti- tution for the training of teachers, he sought the enactment of a law to create a normal school. President Patterson of the State College opposed such legislation, and Dr. Roark failed in his at- tempt. He resigned his position as head of the normal department of the State College and left Kentucky. It was after the failure
Mrs. Mossie Allman Wyker See Chapter XV.
Miss Belle Harris Bennett, 1852-1922. See Chapter XV.
University Hall, dedicated by Central University, September 22, 1874. Now Model High School of E.K.S.C.
Library, E.K.S.C.
Open Air Theatre E.K.S.C.
The Keen Johnson Student Union Building, E.K.S.C., built 1939-40. Center of student life of the College.
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"Areadne on Her Panther," by P. Barvanti. Obtained in Florence, Italy, by Brutus Junius Clay II. Placed in the Student Union by the authors in memory of their son, Lieut. Donald Hugh Dorris, U.S.N.R., lost with the Vincennes, August 9, 1942. Photograph by Dr. H. H. LaFuze, E.K.S.C.
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early in 1904 to secure the higher institution of learning for the training of teachers that the Kentucky Educational Association created the Educational Improvement Association to encourage the sentiment which resulted in the creation of the two normal schools in 1906. (President Patterson also opposed this legislation, ac- cording to Judge Sullivan.) It was fitting indeed, therefore, that the Regents of the school in Richmond should invite Dr. Roark to become its president. Dr. Roark soon had a corps of teachers employed for the model (grade) school, which began in September, 1906. Teaching on the college level never began until the fol- lowing January.
Only two years of college were offered until 1924, when courses began to be taught toward the bachelor's degree. The first degrees, therefore, were conferred in 1925 to a class of five members.
By June, 1955, 5172 degrees had been conferred; of this number 416 were on candidates for the master's degree, which began to be offered, some ten or twelve years ago. In August, 1955, 214 more degrees will be conferred, 47 on candidates for the Master's degree.
The College is a member of the Kentucky Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, National Business Teacher Training Institutions, American Association of University Women and the American Council on Education.
A thorough history of the College may be found in Three Decades of Progress: Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College (1936) and the forthcoming "Five Decades of Progress: Eastern Kentucky State College" (1956).
CHAPTER IX Churches
INTRODUCTION
F OR THE first recorded public religious service held in Ken- tucky the "sanctuary" was the shade of a great elm tree; the preacher was the Rev. John Lythe, of the Church of England; the congregation, a group of hardy settlers of the Transylvania Com- pany; the date, May 28, 1775; and the place, Boonesborough, in what is now Madison County, This service came at the close of an assembly known as the First Legislative Assembly in Kentucky. From this historic beginning the churches have played their role in the chronicles of the county. One of the first settlers, Squire Boone, was said to have been a Baptist preacher, but evidently he neglected his calling under the stress of conflict with the Indians and the privations of frontier life. In fact the Madison County region did not have an enviable reputation in those early decades. When Daniel Breck came to Richmond in 1814, he declared that there was not a professed Protestant in the town and that there was only one Catholic. There was not a church in the town until 1828 when both the Baptist and Presbyterians erected houses of worship. That, however, does not mean that organized churches did not exist out in the county at an early date.
TRE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The first Presbyterian Church in the county was organized by Rev. James Crawford about 1790 at Round Top, six miles from Richmond, and was known as the Silver Creek Presbyterian Church. Seven years later this group united with the Paint Lick Church and one minister served both congregations. There was a schism in the Presbyterian as well as practically all other local churches in the early 1800's as a result of the great religious revival sweeping Ken- tucky at that time. Many new doctrines were being preached, and large numbers of those who were once thought to be dependable followers of the Calvinistic faith, succumbed to the new teachings. Even the pastor of the above church departed from the Presbyterian
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doctrines, became a strong advocate of the bodily exercises often experienced during the revival and finally became a devout mem- ber of the Shaker colony, which established itself in a neighboring county during that period.
Session met in Richmond on March 10, 1827, and the following November 28, the pastor Rev. James C. Barnes, administered the Lord's Supper in Richmond, probably at the courthouse or in the home of one of the members. Thus 1827 is accepted as the "birth- date" of the Richmond Presbyterian Church. The first church edifice was built in 1828 on the property now occupied by the third building to house the congregation. The first was a two story build- ing and the upper floor was occupied by the Masonic lodge.
In 1850 the session of this church "acting under a deep sense of their responsibility as spiritual overseers of the church-entered a solemn protest against dancing and allowing minor children to at- tend dances; against going to the theatre, circus, and similar places of amusement." The preamble began with "whereas we are impressed with the fact that the state of morals and religion in this community is very low" they proceeded to make the above protests.
The membership of this church grew rapidly, sixteen members coming in from the Silver Creek congregation. The need of a new church building became apparent and the Rev. Ezekiel Forman, the pastor, said: "In 1858 or thereabout it became evident that a new house of worship was a necessity-The wall in the rear of the pulpit was giving way to such an extent that many were afraid to attend church when a hard wind blew." A new church was dedicated in March, 1859.
The present edifice, a beautiful modern structure was dedicated in 1921, and only recently an up to date educational building was added to the plant.
There was a break in this church following the Civil War and the Second Presbyterian Church sympathetic with the North was erected in 1884 near the intersection of East Main and B Streets. Having been inactive for several years, the building and grounds were sold in the 1940's and a suitable stone church was erected out on Estill Avenue under the direction of Rev. J. G. Bosley, who for several years, in spite of his advanced age, was an inspiration and blessing to the people of that part of the community.
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The Kirksville Presbyterian Church was organized in 1878. Quot- ing from Sessional Records, page 98, is the following: "In the month of December, 1878, some members of the Richmond and Silver Creek church together with other Presbyterians residing in the vicinity of Kirksville, desiring to be united in an organization as a Presbyterian church, applied to the Presbytery's Committee of Organization to meet them one day convenient and perfect the same." A church building was dedicated on the "3rd Sabbath in May, 1880." In 1921 the Kirksville congregation united with the Richmond church.
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
Much of the early history of the Disciples of Christ was in Ken- tucky and about the Cane Ridge Meeting House, in Bourbon County. This old building still stands as a monument to the move- ment. Barton W. Stone was to Kentucky what Thomas and Alex- ander Campbell were to Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
Alexander Campbell was in Kentucky in 1823 for a debate with a Presbyterian minister at Augusta. The famous Campbell-Rice debate was held in Lexington in 1843. Kentucky was the birth place of the church and Campbell visited the state and Madison County many times.
The early Disciples Churches in Madison County were Flat- woods, Mt. Zion, The Pond, Mt. Nebo (which became Mt. Pleas- ant), and Union City.
The Richmond Church was organized on December 7, 1844, and for some time worshipped at Brown's Cabinet Shop, now the site of the Richmond Motor Company and the Federal building. They had purchased a lot earlier and soon built a frame church thereon. This frame building burned in 1855 and was replaced by a brick church. The present church was dedicated on November 16, 1913. The adjoining McCann property was purchased in 1925 and served as a part of their expanding church school until its removal and the new education plant was completed on the same site in 1955. Dr. Frank N. Tinder has been pastor of this church since 1929.
The First Christian Church realizing the great need of stronger religious influences in the East part of town, was instrumental in organizing a mission there in 1895. Soon thereafter a small church was erected on the present site on Big Hill Avenue and was called
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the Second Christian Church. About 1936 the name was changed to the Big Hill Avenue Christian Church.
During the years, several enlargements and improvements were made on the plant, but in 1952 the old church was removed from the site and a new modern brick structure, which meets the needs of an active growing membership, took its place. Rev. A. C. Duncan has been the pastor since 1940 and there has been much progress under his ministry.
Father Fee, as he was familiarly known, after long deliberation in 1895 asked Union church to pass a rule requiring immersion as the mode of baptism prerequisite to membership in that church. After a long session only three votes were cast in favor of such a rule. Mr. Fee had founded the church forty years earlier, but he withdrew from its fold and established another church which became the First Christian Church of Berea. This same plant has been enlarged and remodeled several times and today represents an active group in that community.
Mt. Pleasant Christian Church also represents another group of that denomination.
The Richmond Nazarene Church was organized July 5, 1925 and services were held in the courthouse until a house of worship was completed the following year. The membership grew rapidly and the church plant was completely remodeled during the period 1941-48 by the addition of a basement and an annex and the facing of the building with stone.
CHURCH OF GOD
The Church of God on Four Mile Avenue was organized about twenty years ago and worshiped in rather limited quarters until they built their present church, about five years ago. This new structure meets the needs of the congregation.
The First Church of God is of more recent organization. In 1947 they purchased a lot at Third and Moberly and constructed the basement of their anticipated church, and worshiped in it until they were able to erect the main part of the building in 1954.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Rev. John Lythe of the episcopal Church was the first minister of the Gospel to penetrate the wilds of Kentucky and preached
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the first sermon at Boonesborough. He was responsible for the bill passed by the Legislative Assembly of the Transylvania Company against swearing and breaking of the Sabbath. There were a good number of Episcopalians in Kentucky, but they were very slow about organizing churches. Christ Episcopal Church situated on the corner of Lancaster Avenue and Water Street is the oldest church building in Richmond, built sometime during the late eighteen seventies. Prior to its erection services were held in a white frame Episcopal Church which was on West Main and what is now Tates Creek Avenue.
The stained glass windows in today's building are exceptionally beautiful and rare, especially the one over the altar which would rate one might say as a "museum piece."
UNION CHURCH OF BEREA
Union Church of Berea is a unique institution in this rural sec- tion. In 1853 John G. Fee came to the region at the invitation of the abolitionist Cassius M. Clay and preached at the Glades, an old log meeting house near the present site of Berea. Following a re- vival in which there were eight conversions a church was organized with a like number of members. During the succeeding sixty-nine years the membership increased with the growth of school and worship at eight different locations, the last being the present Union Church, which was dedicated in 1922. It is the College Church and its membership is composed chiefly of faculty and students of the college. This church has always emphasized mis- sionary work, which was well expressed by Rev. J. A. R. Rogers when he said at the fiftieth anniversary of Union Church: "The church has always been active in missionary work and might almost be said to have been a church on horseback."
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