Central Wesleyan College - Centralian Yearbook (Central, SC)

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1 The Rev and Mrs. Harrington on their weddmg day in 1890 2. The building which housed the female students until the 1962 fire when the lives of two students were taken. 3. As Mrs. Harrington grew older, she wrote stories for the Sunday School Banner. 4 The boys' dorm for many years. History 5

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v The History of Central Wesleyan College On a bright, sunny morning, October 15, 1906, a small group of about thirty excited students gathered on the campus of the new Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute. This was the day they had been eagerly awaiting for some time — the first day of school at this institution which was still so new that the main building was not yet entirely furnished. In age they ranged from six-year olds, just beginning their education, to two adults in the Theological Department, Mr. James Hancock and his wife, Mrs. Grace E. Hancock, former Houghton College students. Hired to teach were the Rev. L. J. Harrington, president, and his wife. Mrs. Nellie Harrington, preceptress, with the provision that if there were more students than these two could well manage, Mr. and Mrs. Hancock would assist. It soon became evident that their services were needed, and they gave their help very sacrificially. for at first there ivas no money allotted for their salaries. This new venture was the fulfillment of a dream which had begun several years earlier. Soon after the organization of the Wesleyan Methodist Methodist Church in North Carolina, it was recognized that a school for the training and indoctrination of its ministers was needed. For this purpose the Providence Wesleyan Methodist College was founded in Guilford County, North Carolina, in 1882; and the Rev. G. M. Hardy was elected to teach theology to a class of ministers for one term. The first term dosed in December, 1882, with the ordination of five students. After that no other classes were held, and the effort to establish a college failed. 1 4 History 3

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r Determination Makes Dreams Come True The dream, however, did not go away. Within a few years there were three other conferences the Georgia Conference, the North Georgia Conference, and the South Carolina Conference. Each of these felt the need for a school. The South Carolina Conference, bemg centrally located between Georgia and North Carolina, felt that a school should be located within its boundaries, and the other conferences agreed. After discussion of the matter, the conferences decided that the school should belong to the Connection rather than to just the South. They therefore turned to the Wesleyan Educational Society for help, which could not be given at this time for lack of funds. However, this body did give permission for the Missionary Society to establish a school and care for it until such time as the Educational Society could take charge, with the understanding that the title to the land would be held by the Educational Society. In February of 1903 the Rev. Eber Teter, secretary of the Missionary Society, called a meeting of representatives of the Southern Conferences to be held in Central, South Carolina. Naturally, the question of a site arose. One man at first wanted to locate the institution in Easley, South Carolina, but Dr. L. G. Clayton, who was much interested in its establishment, insisted that the proper place was Central. Because of a railroad terminal located here, Central at that time, was larger than any of the surrounding towns, even Greenville. With the later removal of the terminal to Greenville, the population of Central dwindled. Perhaps another factor influencing the final choice was the liberal offer of Mr. C. B. Smith, a dedicated layman, of a 146-acre tract of land at less than its cash value. He also promised to donate $2,000 toward the purchase price. When the vote was taken, it was unanimous for Central. 6 History 4