Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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THE CONWELL LEGACY E who are graduating in 1956 find it cult to realize that we have been here during one-thirteenth ol the Universityls entire history. When Temple was in its infancy some titty years ago, Broad Street was a wide, bare roadway traversed by horse-drawn buggies. Elec- tric lighting was a novelty, and sidewallcs had just been built around the Nlonument Cemetery Hin the event that the city grew that tar northf, Since those early days when Dr. Conwell taught his first class of seven theology students, many changes have come about which have re- sulted in a great metropolitan university educat- ing about 11,000 students yearly. The tirst class met in Dr. Conwellls homeg later the school moved to the basement of the Grace Baptist Churchg and then to a house at 1915 lVlervine Street. By 1888, tour years later, the little night school class of seven stuclents had increased to 500, and Dr. Conwell had been granted a college charter. The increased number of students made it neces- sary to move to larger quarters, and when the Baptist Temple on Broad Street was completed in 1891, Dr. Conwell was teaching his classes in two large Parlc Avenue houses and two rented halls. As pastor of the Baptist Temple, Dr. Conwell organized a campaign to raise funds to erect a new building to be located on the lot adjacent to the church. The drive was so successful that in August, 1895, the cornerstone of College Hall was laid and the dedication exercises were held the following May. Among the notables present at the dedication service was Governor Pattison of Pennsylvania. To this new building went 20 faculty members. headed by Dr. Conwell as professor of mental tm philosophy and oratory. The school colors at that time were blue, cherry-red and golcl. Para- doxically, the monthly paper changed its name from the Temple College News to The Owl. Dr. Conwell macle it a rule that if ten persons wanted a course, it would be given, and, in this way, the curriculum was greatly widened. How- ever, it was not until the power to confer college degrees was granted that Temple became a regu- lar day school and the College of Liberal Arts was organized. This was in 1891. ln the same year the College toolc over the Samaritan Hos- pital, Broacl and Untario Streets, which Dr. Conwell had founded a few years before. 1 Vtflrere the University started,-the first huilcling, at 1915 lVlerUine Street, usecl when llle sluxlent laocly oufgrew the lnasement of Dr. COVILUGIVS church.