Western Oregon University - Yearbook (Monmouth, OR)

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Year1922 OREGON NORMAL SCHOOL

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OREGON NORMAL SCHOOL Year 1922 ' ' aw.- - , x ,l 41' ? H . I 7 ; r. a ..I . ,1 ...y Y - Community Y DEAR RUTH: Do I think you would enjoy the Oregon Normal School? I certainly do know you would enjoy working with our . splendid faculty and with so many co-operative fellow students. Do not misunderstand meethe faculty and fellow students arenit the only reasons why you would enjoy 0. N . S. for the community plays an important part in making our work a success. I think you should understand both the school and community side of Monmouth before coming here, and as I have already written letter after letter to you about the school, Pm going to make this a iiCommunity letter. It seems as if people have always been troubled with religious and political differenceseand it was because of a religious difference that Monmouth became a city. The particular people who came from Mon- mouth, Illinois, to found a habitation where their ideals might prevail, settled in Polk county. From this settlement came our educational insti- tution and a thrifty community Which is ever working for the interests of the school. V In 1854 five progressive citizens donated a square mile of land in Polk county on which to found a town. The proceeds from the sale of town lots were to be used in establishing a college under supervision of the local Christian Church and to be called Monmouth University. At a mass meeting the town was named Monmouth. Money was donated, a building erected and Christian College was founded. In 1882 the name of Christian College was changed to Oregon State Normal and in 1891 the buildings and grounds were accepted by the legislature .as a gift to Oregon. In this way did Monmouth become the home of the Oregon Normal School. Since 0. N. S. was first established under supervision of the Chris- tian Church, it follows that the Christian Church of Monmouth is the oldest church in the city. The church was first built on the school grounds where the dormitory now stands and the church and school carried on their work together. The church is now located two blocks south of the normal. Besides having the usual church departments, there are special classes for normal students. Rev. H. Cu Rossell, the present pastor, always extends a hearty invitation to normal students to help in the work of the church as do the pastors of the other two churches, the Evangelical and the Baptist. The Evangelical Church is progressing under the leadership of Rev. Lewis. As in theyChristian Church, special classes are organized for normal students and a hearty invitation is extended to all students who desire to help in the church work.

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Page 20 OREGON NORMAL SCHOOL ' Year .1922 The itHouse by the Side of the Road,, includes not only the Community House but also the Baptist Church. Besides the usual church organiza- tions there are, as in the other two churches, special classes for normal students. The usual hearty welcome is given by Rev. Pace to any student who wishes to join in the church work. It .may seem to .you as if all you have heard thus far in my letter are invitatlons or extens10ns of hearty welcomes, but Ruth, Monmouth is the sort of place where anyone is welcome to Visit any place at any time. . , From what has been said before you must be curious about the Community House which is a part of the itHouse by the Side of the Road? Besides the chapel of the Baptist Church, the house consists of a library which is always open to students, the living quarters of Mr. Pace and his family, a large living room with a piano, fireplace and everything which goes to make a ticomfyt room and last, but not least, is the basement which is fitted with all kinds and descriptions of cooking utensils that anyone so desiring may give a party at any time tand many are given therei. There are also games supplied in which one may enjoy hour after hour of recreation. It is truly a community house and at almost any hour of the day one may find students there enjoying ' themselves. So that you may more fully understand our city, Iim enclosing some snaps of our churches, Main street, and the bus. Oh, yes, the bus! How dear to each normal girPs heart is the memory of the bus which brought each one of us from Independence to Monmouth. It wasnlt such a cheery sight when we made our first trip to Monmouth but the bus means more to us every time we return. It seems as if a city is not a city unless it has at least one lodge in its midst and the one strong lodge in this city is the Odd Fellows. In 1896 after a fire which destroyed the biggest part of the business section of the town, including the building and papers of the organization, the Grand Lodge of Oregon was petitioned for a charter. This was granted and in 1908 the new lodge was organized and it now has a membership of 134 Odd Fellows. The members have recently purchased one of the best building sites in town on which they are going to. erect a two-story building, the lower floors of which are to be rented for business places - and the upper floor to be devoted entirely to membership purposes. A lodge isnit considered complete without a womenis auxiliary, so Agate Rebekah Lodge was reorganized in 1908. The Rebekahls have been very prosperous and the auxiliary now has 225-members in good standing. Both the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs extend a cordial invita- tion, to all students to attend their meetings at any time. After I have painted these pictures for you and have sent you snaps to reinforce them, I hope you will seriously consider 0. N. S. and I am hoping to see you in Monmouth next September. Lovingly yours, e-Only a Normal Girl.