Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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The - - BETH ANN UAL - - 1932 f$C£ : I‘t,r time it seemed that the Seminary was to have no permanent abiding place. At first its home was in Chicago; then, in 1844 it moved to Sr. Paul, Minnesota, where it remained only one year. Then, upon the favorable invitation of the church at Stromsburg, Nebraska, it moved to that place. However, after three years’ sojourn DR. ALEXIS EDGREN in Stromsburg, it returned to Chicago, where i: became affiliated with the University of Chicago. Dr. C. G. Lagergren was for many years the able Dean of the institution. Later Dr. G. Arvid Gordh was elected Dean; and then Dr. Karl J. Karlson. The Academy was founded in 1905 with Elim Swedish Baptist church as its first home and with Dr. G. Arvid Gordh as its first principal. Two years later, the new Academy building at Como and Carter Avenues, St. Paul, became a more convenient home. Here the Academy remained until 1914. Professor A. J. Wingblade was elected principal in 1912. In 1913 Dr. G. A. Hagstrom, then pastor of the First Swedish Baptist church of St. Paul, was elected President of the entire school system of the denomination. Through his able leadership a new site was acquired on North Snelling Avenue in St. Paul, and soon two commodious buildings were erected. The Seminary was then moved from Chicago to St. Paul. Now both departments launched into a period of happy growth. The Seminary enrollment increased year by year, and the attendance in the Academy passed the three hundred mark. For several years a business college department was maintained in connection with the Academy. The dream now was to acquire an endowment to safeguard the future of the school. At the present time this is approximately $160,000. Eighteen

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 The - - BETHANNUAL - - 1932 A Brief History of Bethel Every tree, no matter how mighty, has once had a beginning and has grown, at first, as a weak sapling, bending with every blast. From air and sunshine it has drawn its strength, and ever deeper into the earth has it fed its tendrils. A school also has a beginning, sometimes very small, from which, please God. it grows and flourishes, and becomes an influence of inestimable power. The history of our Seminary is not inglorious. Sixty years ago a man of deeply spiritual appreciation threw himself into the precarious task of founding a school for ministers of the gospel. He was an artistic, sensitive soul, and a true gentleman withal. FIRST SEMINARY BUILDING He toiled and suffered, and died largely unappreciated. But from the Seminary which Dr. Alexis Edgren founded has gone out from year to year a group of loyal ministers who have preached the gospel with zeal and understanding. The result has been the founding of churches from coast to coast. Seventeen

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 The - - BETH ANN UAL - - IV 32 wsssssssss' In 1922 a long felt need was realized in the establishment of a Missionary and Bible Training School. Miss Esther Sabel was called to this work and became at once a valuable leader in this department. This work has developed and become ever more important with the passing of the years. FIRST ACADEMY BUILDING But still another need was voiced off and on. namely that of a Junior College. This, too, was realized last fall. Professor Walfrcd Danielson, a former teacher at Bethel, who had spent several years as educational missionary in Assam, was called to head up this department. This augurs well for the future. We should not neglect to say that the Music Department of the school has been a stay and an inspiration to all the other departments. The glee club and the large mixed chorus have done much credit to the school. Professor George Hultgren has headed up this department for a number of years. Nincu'cn V