286.1 
 
 B842h BRYANT 
 
 HISTORY OF UNIVERSITY BAPTIST 
 CHURCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF 
 ILLINOIS 1912 — 1962 
 

Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/historyofuniversOObrya 
 
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 of the 
 
 UNIVERSITY BAPTIST CHURCH 
 
 at the 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 
 
 1912-1962 
 Harriet M. Bryant 
 
a&£"! 
 
 DEDICATION 
 
 To the generations of 
 
 loyal, devoted students 
 
 who have created and maintained 
 
 The Living Church 
 
 under the guidance of 
 
 Rev. and Mrs. Martin S. Bryant 
 
 Rev. and Mrs. Paul E. Alden and daughters 
 
 Rev. and Mrs. Paul L. Offenhiser 
 
 Rev. and Mrs. G. Avery Lee 
 
 Rev. and Mrs. Pierre E. Tangent 
 
 Rev. Haydn Ambrose, present Minister-Director 
 
 Hail to the Orange, 
 Hail to the Blue, 
 Hail, Alma Mater, 
 
 Ever so true; 
 We love no other, 
 So let our motto be 
 
 Victory, Illinois, 
 Varsity 
 
 (Illinois VICTORY Song) 
 
SPONSORING COMMITTEE 
 
 C. H. Jacjman 
 Hal T. Trovillion 
 Ruth Anderson Zempel 
 Alice Fritschle Kennedy- 
 Wendell Kennedy 
 Cleo A. Williams 
 H. Grant Dawson 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Chapters Page 
 Preface 
 
 1. Pioneering a New Movement 1 
 
 2. Building a Student -manned Church 5 
 
 3. Years of Steady Growth 10 
 
 4 . Planning for Permanency 12 
 
 5. Change and Growth 14 
 
 6. Growth Through Enrichment 18 
 
 7. Methods, Principles and Philosophy 21 
 
 8. Response - Outcomes 26 
 
 9. The Man and His Ministry 27 
 
 10. A New Leader 30 
 
 11. Program Expansion 34 
 
 12. The Fourth Decade 40 
 
 13. The Fifth Decade 46 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PLATE 
 I. 
 
 II. 
 
 HI. 
 
 IV. 
 
 V. 
 
 VI. 
 
 VII. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 IX. 
 
 X. 
 
 XI. 
 
 XII. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 XV. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 IXX. 
 
 XX. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 xxn. 
 
 XXIH. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 A Group of Founders 
 Group of 1914-15 
 Group of 1915-16 
 A Woman's Co-operative Group 
 Dr. and Mrs. Alvin Fishman, missionaries in 1920 
 A Group of 1922 
 A Group of 1923 
 A Group of 1924 
 Student Leaders 
 Student Leaders 
 Student Leaders 
 Student Leaders 
 Student Council of 1928 
 The Church and its Founder 
 Reverend Paul E. Alden and Family- 
 Excavating the "Glory Hole" 
 The Bryant Portraits 
 The Student Council of 1945-46 
 The Student Council of 1935-36 
 The Student Council of 1947-48 
 Reverend Pierre Tangent and Meditation Chapel 
 The Student Fellowship of 1951-52 
 A Student Group in 1952 
 A Student Audience 
 
 Groups of individuals at church banquet, 49th anniversary 
 The Walworth Family and other Second Generationers 
 Mr. C. A. Atwood and Reverend Pierre Tangent 
 Stratford House Girls 1960-61 
 Reverend Haydn Ambrose and his Church 
 Walworth Family and Kennedy Sons 
 Dr. William Garrett of Sibley, Illinois and Mrs. Bryant 
 
PREFACE 
 
 This narrative concerning the history of the University Baptist at the cam- 
 pus of the University of Illinois was originally undertaken at the request of Rever - 
 end Paul A. Alden, minister at the time in the spring of 1941. It was hoped that by 
 1942 the Church would celebrate the fortieth anniversary of it's founding, of which 
 the published history would be an important feature. Before this plan could be real- 
 ized the country had been plunged into Second World War. The situation confront- 
 ing the church, as well as the campus ruled out any such celebration in 1942 and 
 brought the writing to an untimely halt. Ten years passed and a fortieth anniversa- 
 ry was approaching. Perhaps this occasion would make a reconsideration of the en- 
 terprise, so a new chapter was added to bring the story down to date. A new study 
 was made of the matter of publication, but the terms demanded by the only printer 
 who made a study of the document were so far beyond any possibility that could be 
 met, that again it was decided to postpone the matter of publication. 
 
 After much reflection it was decided to make the story as dramatic as 
 possible, by including a liberal use of pictures. We searched through a memorial 
 album, finding group pictures from the very first year of the history of the churc h. 
 These first group pictures were taken by the late Professor Everet Young and taken 
 by his kodak in front of the old university library, across from the original YMCA 
 building. These group pictures have been enlarged to full page size and are being 
 incorporated in the appropriate place in the manuscript. It was a real joy to find so 
 many of these, and to relive the early years when we were all young together. The 
 only group picture which turned up during the late twenties and early thirties was of 
 a Student Council spring retreat. This picture did not stand but slight enlarging; 
 however, we include it, among a considerable number of individual leaders of those 
 years, placed among appropriate chapters. These were all taken from my own pri- 
 vate memory book, and were mailed to me from time to time, mostly in Christmas 
 messages. 
 
 As for the large group pictures, no attempt was made to add the names, 
 partly because it was not possible at this late date to recall each and all, but I 
 trust those alumni who may pursue the volume, of those early years may be able to 
 identify many of these. 
 
 Harriet M. Bryant, 1960 
 
One PIONEERING A NEW MOVEMENT 
 
 The Church in a New Field of Activity: - In the early years of the twen- 
 tieth century far-sighted leaders of the Christian Church in America were becoming 
 acutely aware of a new problem in the religious nurture of its youth enrolling in the 
 tax-supported colleges and universities. Between 1870 and 1930 the student popula- 
 tion increased fourteen times, while the general population of the country increased 
 three times. 
 
 During this same period the rapid growth occurred, not in the denomination- 
 al schools, but in the tax-supported institutions. Professor Shedd of Yale reports 
 that while the enrollment of the parochial and private schools in the East increased 
 fifty -six percent, that of the midwestern state universities increased 112 percent. 
 
 Realizing that the state universities, equipped in a wide range of technical 
 fields, could not be matched by church colleges without a steadily increasing outlay 
 of funds, the church leaders were faced with the problem of providing religious nur- 
 ture for the increasing number of students attending these state schools. The prob- 
 lem was made more serious by the realization that the intellectual and social life at 
 a college campus tends to draw young people away from their earlier religious moor- 
 ings. Could the Church afford to lose its best-trained intellects from the ranks of 
 active laymen? How could this increasing loss be checked? 
 
 Thus an entirely new field of activity presented itself. Some pioneering 
 had to be done. A few of the larger denominations had already begun to experiment 
 with religious programs to meet student needs. Both the Episcopalians and the 
 Presbyterians had organized students movements at the University of Michigan in 
 1887 and 1891. In 1892 the Methodists started a student program at the University 
 of Illinois. These early experiments were undertaken by students, church-conscious 
 professors, and pastors of churches in the college communities. 
 
 It soon became evident, however, that the average pastor of a church in a 
 campus community had a full load ministering to the needs of his own parishioners. 
 A specialized program, geared to student needs and interests, should be a separate, 
 full-time assignment. The Guild Movement began at the University of Michigan in 
 1904. Baptists of Michigan and Wisconsin were early leaders in this movement. 
 W. P. Behan was appointed as the special supervisor for the Baptist House at Mich- 
 igan in 1905; C. J. Galpin began a similar work at the University of Wisconsin in the 
 same year. 
 
 At the University of Illinois, pastors of the Champaign and Urbana Baptist 
 churches had long expressed the need for a separate student program at the campus. 
 In 1905, the Baptist State Board of Control took first official notice of this new need 
 by appointing a commission "to consider the propriety of undertaking religious work 
 under the auspices of the denomination on behalf of the students ^at the University of 
 Illinois". During 1906 a few Baptist faculty members, students and local church 
 leaders held meetings in the home of Professor Perry Fox Trowbridge, to discuss 
 plans for a definite program of religious development for students. In January 1907, 
 the group rented a house and organized a student center at 1002 South Sixth Street, 
 Champaign. It was called the Gregory Guild after John Milton Gregory, first Regent 
 of the University, and a Baptist. A university senior, Chester A. Marshall, direct- 
 ed the work as student pastor until November of that year, when Roy W. Merrifield 
 was appointed Baptist Secretary of Student Work at the university by the state Board 
 of Control. This Board also appropriated $600 for the work. 
 
 The Gregory Guild: - The aims of the Guild were: "To promote good fell- 
 owship among Baptist students of the University community; to promote the spirit - 
 ual welfare of the students with Baptist tendencies;to form a nucleus for the Univer - 
 sity Baptist Church when it becomes a reality. " The organization pattern set up by 
 the students and early leaders was divided into the Gregory Guild proper and the 
 
Gregory Guild House. The former was composed of students and community Bap- 
 tists who held religious meetings on Sunday afternoons, sponsored parties and re- 
 ceptions, and assisted in the activities of the local Baptist churches. The Gregory 
 Guild House was the organization of Baptist young men who lived in the house, con- 
 ducted on a cooperative basis. 
 
 Mr. Merrifield's work as Director of the Gregory Guild consisted of relig- 
 ious instruction, personal work and conferences with individual students, and help 
 with the programs of the local Baptist churches. Evidence indicates that for more 
 than four years the Guild movement met with enthusiastic cooperation at the uni- 
 versity. In the ILLINOIS BAPTIST BULLETIN, Dr. E. P. Brand, Editor and State 
 Superintendent of Baptist Mission work of the Illinois Baptist State Convention, 
 wrote of the success of the work. The students' pride in Gregory Guild was shown 
 by the fact that they included it in the Club section of the 1909 ILLIO, the univer- 
 sity year-book. 
 
 Activities for Students in a local church : - This account of Baptist begin- 
 nings at the campus of the University of Illinois would not be complete without a 
 report of the efforts put forth by one of the local communities. During the four years 
 of the life of Gregory Guild the important features of the activities were given a 
 prominent place in the pages of THE URBANA BAPTIST. This was a news sheet 
 distributed weekly to the membership of the church, edited by the pastor, Reverend 
 R. V. Meigs. Among items included was an article written by Mr. Merrifield des- 
 cribing in some detail the organization, purposes and objectives of Gregory Guild. 
 Occasionally brief items appeared concerning money contributions from groups in 
 the local church. At least twice each year this church set aside a morning service 
 as a special recognition of the college students. Of real value in religious nurture 
 was the organization of a special Bible Class for students, taught by E. S. Hall. 
 The name of a Dr. E. G. Dexter is mentioned as the member who took the lead in 
 organizing the class. The class was known as the Agoma Class. In 1913 a His- 
 tory of the church stated, in connection with an account of student work, that the 
 "class had an enrollment of 35, with average attendance of about that number". An- 
 other important feature in the development of a program for students in this church 
 was the organization of a STUDENT COUNCIL. This took place during the year of 
 1907-08. The printed report stated that 35 were present. From the copies of the 
 church news sheet it seemed that the largest number of items appearing were given 
 during the academic year of 1907-08, which coincided with the year that Mr. Roy W. 
 Merrifield was Guild Director. It may safely be inferred that the success of the 
 work for that year, at least, resulted from his work in cooperation with Pastor Meigs. 
 
 The response of students to this program is indicated by the reports of 
 student attendance as mentioned above. The announcement concerning one of the 
 spring "Recognition Services" states that among those present were six former 
 graduates, three seniors, ten juniors, eight sophomores and six freshmen, totalling 
 thirty -one, who signed special cards provided for the purpose of measuring student 
 response and interest. In addition the statement was made that "quite a number of 
 strangers, several professors and employees of the university, plus several students 
 who did not fill out cards", were in attendance. 
 
 Some Early Student Leaders: - The names of some of the student leaders 
 during these pioneering years of the Baptist Student Movement may be gleaned from 
 a page in the ILLIO, 1909 edition, as well as names appearing from time to time in 
 THE URBANA BAPTIST. A count of these indicates 53 students active through 
 Guild and Church, mostly classified as undergraduate students. We would like to 
 call attention to the names of a few of these. There was the name Fred Keeler, 
 who was for many years the "Rock", like Peter of old, in his home church in Belvi- 
 dere, Illinois. There is the name of Laurence H. Miles of the well-known Miles 
 
 2- 
 
family of Savannah, Illinois. Both of these staunch men have now joined the silent 
 ranks of the Church in the New Jerusalem. Then there was Mayne S. Mason, of 
 Buda, Illinois, who, although but a freshman the last years of the Guild life, had a 
 fairly lone, continuous residence at the campus. Mr. Mason later made a very sig- 
 nificant contribution toward the foundation structure of the campus church. These 
 two men, Miles with his wife, returned to the campus during the difficult years of 
 the first World War, as instructors in the aviation school. The records of the State 
 Convention mention Howard Brownson, one-time President of the Guild, who must 
 have made a meaningful contribution to the pioneer stages of the Movement. In 
 October 1908, the Executive Committee, in session, instructed the Secretary to write 
 a special letter of appreciation to this young man for the work he was doing. 
 
 Advanced Steps by State Leaders: - During these years, from 1907-1911 , 
 while the Guild was a going concern at the campus, denominational leaders in the 
 state were likewise busy. Dr. E. P. Brand, for twenty years Superintendent, took 
 every possible occasion to give publicity for the new work. From the pulpits of lo- 
 cal churches all over the state, from occasional articles in THE ILLINOIS BAPTIST 
 BULLETIN, we learn much concerning what was taking place on the state level. 
 From an article appearing in April 1909, we learn that the State Board of Control 
 appointed a Committee to work with Dr. Brand; that this Committee selected and 
 took an option on a lot near the campus priced at $3500. A man was sent into the 
 field of the Convention to solicit funds. By January 1910, the entire amount had 
 been pledged and paid into the State Treasury. This effort came to a fitting climax 
 when the Annual meetings of the State Convention were held in the Urbana Baptist 
 Church; "nearly the entire delegation paid a visit to the State University and the 
 Guild, and dedicated the lot for a new University Baptist Church". 
 
 Final Outcome of the Guild Movement: - The Guild House and the move- 
 ment centered under its roof came to a close with the end of the school year of 
 1910-11. In reply to an inquiry concerning causal factors, one of my correspondents 
 wrote that at the time, that is, the year of his active membership (1910-1911) , 
 there was no student pastor, that naturally Mr. Meigs of Urbana had not the time to 
 give to the Guild. It had not been possible to keep the House filled with Baptist 
 young men and therefore they were forced to take in young men of other faiths. Al- 
 though, by strict economy, they were able to close the year free from debt, it was 
 decided by the group itself, to discontinue the organization rather than to attempt to 
 continue at a loss. 
 
 The Northern Baptist Convention: - One of the first problems studied by 
 the Baptists of the North, after the organization of the National Convention in 1907, 
 was this need for Baptist student centers at state colleges and universities. In 
 1909 a Commission was appointed to study this problem and report possible action. 
 The report of this Commission in 1910 led to the creation of a Board of Christian 
 Education. By the time of the Northern Baptist Convention's fourth annual meeting 
 in 1911, the Reverend Frank W. Padelford had become the Board's permanent Ex- 
 ecutive Secretary, a post he continued to fill until his retirement in 1940. 
 
 Summary and Conclusions : - In Summary of the initial efforts on the part 
 of all concerned -adult religious leaders, local pastors and students alike, the cen- 
 tral objective was to organize an independent church as the best instrument for the 
 nurture of the religious life at this campus. The purpose of such a church would be 
 to give instruction and practical training to prepare Christian students for Christian 
 leadership, both civic and in the ranks of churchmanship. Likewise, it seems that 
 the Guild Movement was regarded, from the first, as a preparatory and necessary 
 step toward the major objective. Indeed it was the only possible one, conditions 
 and the local situation being what it was, that could have been taken. Possibly the 
 Guild effort was a worthwhile test of Baptist student reaction toward a larger, more 
 inclusive work in the future. One naturally records the close of an enterprise which 
 
 -3- 
 
enlisted so much youthful enthusiasm and effort, with feelings of sincere regret. 
 It may be the Guild really fulfilled its purpose, by preparing the soil and doing 
 some seed -sowing, which, under Divine guidance, was necessary for the fruition 
 of the next step. We close the Guild chapter with a re-assertion of its significance 
 and value as a ground -breaker for the more stable movement with which this narra- 
 tive is concerned. 
 
 SOURCE MATERIAL 
 
 For these years (1905-10) covered by the preceeding chapter, ANNUAL Reports of 
 the Illinois Baptist State Convention. 
 
 THE ILLINOIS BAPTIST BULLETIN, edited by E. P. Brand. 
 
 THE URBANA BAPTIST, edited by Reverend R. V. Meigs. 
 
 THE ILLIO, (1909 edition), college annual. 
 
 Private correspondence. 
 
 Clarence Shedd: THE CHURCH FOLLOWS ITS STUDENTS. 
 
 ■4- 
 
Two. BUILDING A STUDENT -MANNED CHURCH 
 
 A New Counselor : - It is sometimes observed that the Lord always has 
 men in training to carry on the world's work and that such men are brought forward 
 at crucial moments. Through the perspective of the years, the next event which 
 occurred in the interests of Baptist students at the university campus, seems to add 
 a bit of evidence to substantiate the idea. It came about in the following manner:- 
 In the spring of 1910 the Baptist Foreign Mission Society, under the leadership of 
 Dr. John M. Moore, launched a new experiment in its quest for the best personnel 
 for the foreign service. A student secretary was selected and sent to visit all Bap- 
 tist schools and colleges, including State Universities, in the territory of the North- 
 ern Convention. 
 
 The first young man selected for the work was one who, for health reasons, 
 had recently been diverted from the foreign service - a recent graduate of Colgate 
 University, Martin S. Bryant. In this capacity the young man visited the campus at 
 Urbana- Champaign, where he was aided by the pastors of the two Baptist churches 
 of the cities. No documentary material is available for the events of the winter of 
 1910-11; dependence for the story is had only in the memories of a few interested 
 persons notably Reverend Meigs, the young pastor in Urbana. Mr. Meigs recalls 
 that Mr. Bryant visited his church, speaking from his pulpit, meeting students 
 through his student Bible class and the Gregory Guild; that he spoke in the Cham- 
 paign church in the evening. 
 
 In the course of his travels in the middle west that winter, Mr. Bryant es- 
 tablished contact with Dr. J. Y. Aicheson, as well as Dr. Brand. It may well be 
 that, as Dr. Aicheson was the District Secretary for both the Home and Foreign 
 Missions Societies, he was in a position to put the young man in contact with the 
 schools in those states. It appears that in the course of informal talks in Dr. 
 Aicheson' s office in Chicago, Dr. Brand asked for an informal opinion concerning 
 Mr. Bryant's findings and views of the situation at the state university of Illinois 
 campus. As an outcome of the interview, Dr. Brand requested the young man, 
 possibly because of his being an outsider and a new-comer in the state, to make a 
 return visit to the Urbana -Champaign campus, taking time for a careful, thorough- 
 going study of findings. He was further asked to make a written report, including 
 his own independent recommendations concerning next steps for Illinois Baptists to 
 take in launching an adequate student program. 
 
 The return visit was made and in due time the desired report was tendered 
 in the Chicago office, with both Drs. Brand and Aicheson present. As a result, it 
 appears that these two officials had arrived at the conclusion that this young man 
 was the one needed to do the work he advocated in his own report. It was discover- 
 ed, during the interview, that the young man was about to terminate his work with 
 the Foreign Society, because of lack of funds to carry on the experiment. When 
 asked if he would be interested in a pastorate in Illinois, Mr. Bryant gave an affir- 
 mative answer. Dr. Brand immediately got busy by long-distance phone, and sent 
 the young man to the Belvidere First Baptist Church, which was then vacant. An 
 appointment was thus made for him to go to that city for the next week-end. 
 
 After the young man left the office, Dfs . Brand and Aicheson agreed that 
 they had found the man for the work at the State University campus. Dr. Aicheson 
 urged his colleague to proceed at once with the project, rather than locate him in 
 any local church. But Dr. Brand was a cautious man in at least one important par- 
 ticular - he always wanted the money in the treasury to finance the enterprise for 
 its first year. He would locate Mr. Bryant in an Illinois pulpit where he would be 
 easily accessible when he was fully ready to launch the next step in the enterprise. 
 It was therefore a real satisfaction to him to learn within a matter of days that the 
 
Betvidere visit resulted in an immediate call to the pastorate, which Mr. Bryant 
 accepted. 
 
 With fresh incentive the tireless Superintendent pushed ahead with his plans 
 the lines of which seem to lie clearly in view. These plans crystalized into formal 
 action by the State Board of Control at the annual meeting of the Convention in Elgin 
 of 1911. The action took the form of setting up a Committee of five members, in- 
 cluding the Superintendent, with power to act, to secure a man for the work at the 
 university campus, with sufficient funds appropriated for the Committee to use. 
 The men appointed to serve with Dr. Brand were M. P. Boynton (Woodlawn, Chi- 
 cago), J. Y. Aicheson (Chicago), R. V. Meigs (Urbana), and D. O. Hopkins (Cham- 
 paign). A fresh appeal to Baptists of the state in the next issue of the BAPTIST 
 BULLETIN for funds, at the same time the national Home Mission Society, which 
 had been requested to give financial help, replied that it could not wisely enter into 
 any contract for such an effort. A further explanation should be made concerning 
 this decision. The national bodies of the denomination, during these years were so 
 many separate organizations, each with its separate, clearly defined functions and 
 work. There had been no unified appeal to Northern Baptists to carry on the program 
 of each society. It was not until the National Board of Christian Education had been 
 organized, with its own secretarial staff and budget of funds, under the leadership of 
 Dr. Padelford, that there was a higher Body to assist with a specialized mission to 
 students. Hence Dr. Brand decided that Illinois Baptists would undertake the enter- 
 prise alone. He held firmly to the conviction that Illinois Baptists would come for- 
 ward with additional funds to make such a work possible. 
 
 A Student Pastor at the State University: - In an article which Dr. Brand 
 published in THE ILLINOIS BAPTIST BULLETIN, in 1912, he announced the out- 
 come of his long effort to dislodge Mr. Bryant from the Belvidere pastorate and 
 accept appointment for the new enterprise. He wrote "We regret very much to take 
 Brother Bryant from the splendid service he is doing in Belvidere, but he seems to us 
 to be the man God has called for this difficult task. His church showed a beautiful 
 and unselfish Christian spirit in surrendering its pastor. ... for the work which will 
 be so far reaching in its influence among the young people at that educational cen- 
 ter. " This brief account of the final outcome in no way hints the depth, the intensi- 
 ty, of the inner struggle that took place in the soul of Martin S. Bryant before he 
 could make an affirmative decision. 
 
 A Fresh Beginning : - The fall of 1912 found the Bryants settled in a com- 
 fortable bungalow, two blocks from the campus, a residence which soon became the 
 real student center for our Baptist boys and girls; it remained such for four years. 
 Among the first students who called on the new leaders were Mayne S. Mason and 
 his younger brother, Ross. Like certain young men recorded in a story of the long 
 ago, these two went out from their first conference with Mr. Bryant, hunted up a few 
 other strong young men of their acquaintance, and, returning, brought such men as 
 Frank Turner, a junior, Everett Lee, Everett Young and Will Andrews, seniors. 
 These new ones likewise spread the news of the re -born movement to certain inter - 
 ested women students, including Frankie Holton, Ruth Dickenson, Gretchen Schiff- 
 bauer and Judith Streed. (We use here the names by which the women were known, 
 rather than the married names of the later years . ) 
 
 After listening to the story of the circumstances which had led the Bryants 
 to their campus, these first comers declared unhesitatingly that they were ready "to 
 put their shoulders to the wheel and make it go. " Conferences with this first group 
 led to the formulation of the immediate steps to be taken, to plan for the first Sun- 
 day services of a Church group and of methods to acquaint all Baptist students and 
 faculty members with the new enterprise about to be launched; formation of a per- 
 sonal work committee to call upon all new Baptists. First steps also included a 
 scouting trip over the campus in quest of a suitable place to hold the weekly ser- 
 
vices, arranging to secure a list of Baptist students immediately after registration, 
 and the formation of a choir. 
 
 A group of ten students appeared at the pastor's home on Thursday, pre- 
 ceeding the first Sunday of service, to act as a choir and to prepare for the service. 
 They brought with them a junior, Alex Brandner, who did such fine work that he be- 
 came the permanent pianist, continuing through the second year of the church. Due 
 to the energetic work of this first active group of students the pastor had the satis- 
 faction to be met that first Sunday of worship by an audience of sixty-three, meet- 
 ing in the Assembly Hall of the YMCA Building. Thus were the foundations laid 
 for a church managed by students, for students, - the real work of the students 
 themselves. In the evening of that eventful Sunday, forty -seven returned to the Hall 
 to carry on a forum type service, led by one of their number. A Young Peoples' Un- 
 ion was soon organized to handle this phase of the work, with the following student 
 officers :- 
 
 President Will Andrews 
 
 Vice-President Stanton S. Fitzgerrell 
 
 Secretary Gretchen Schiffbauer 
 
 Treasurer Harry A. Roe 
 
 Pianist Edgar Swartwout 
 
 Organizing a Church: - After two or three Sundays and weeks of continuing 
 work, a few students came to the pastor's home and presented church letters, ask- 
 ing what should be done with these. The problem thus pushed forward by student 
 pressure immediately thrust into the foreground the question: "Should we proceed 
 now with the organization of an independent church?" Admitting to the group that 
 the Bryants also had their letters of dismissal from the Belvidere church, Mr. Bryant 
 explained that he had been inclined to proceed slowly with such a step; he felt that 
 the first year might well be spent developing a program, leaving organization for a 
 later step. Such procedure, it seemed to him, would enable the state denominational 
 leaders to test the experiment as to adequacy of his leadership, as well as student 
 response. At the same time it would provide a gauge for the measurement of future 
 stability. But continuing student inquiry and comment rather early pointed to the 
 conclusion that the matter of formal organization of a church was something to be 
 immediately examined from all angles. Since those who first led off in this direct- 
 ion were mature men and women, it was evident that the problem should receive 
 careful consideration. After much exploring of student interest on the part of the 
 pastor, it was deemed advisable to call a meeting of all interested students to con- 
 sider the matter of formal organization. This meeting was held at the home of a re- 
 tired Baptist minister, living in the campus community - Reverend J. W. Primm. 
 Twenty -four of those present handed in their letters from home churches; 
 in addition, twelve others reported that they had written for letters which had not yet 
 been received. One freshman woman presented herself as a candidate for baptism. 
 This entire group is thus rightly to be considered the charter membership of the new 
 organization. One important action was taken, that the church should be known as 
 THE UNIVERSITY BAPTIST CHURCH at Champaign, Illinois. The matter of fi- 
 nances was discussed, with the announcement that to date the weekly offerings had 
 averaged five dollars, whereas the monthly expenses were running about thirty doll- 
 ars, that this matter need cause no worry since for the present school year the State 
 Convention treasury had guaranteed to meet any deficits. 
 
 It is of interest to note that, of the entire group of officers elected to serve 
 the church during its first year, ail were undergraduate students, except one gradu- 
 ate. These officers consisted of three trustees, four deacons, one clerk, a treasur- 
 er and a head usher. Memory lingers lovingly over that first group of serious -mind- 
 ed students, and the fine dignity with which they moved through the business of that 
 eventful evening. One of the girls remarked, as they journeyed homeward later, 
 
with a sense of humor in her voice, on "the boys" of the Board of Deacons, so un- 
 like the aged group of men serving in that capacity in home churches. But one of 
 the newly elected "deacons" replied, "You girls should get busy and organize a 
 Ladies Aid." 
 
 Program Features :- From the outset, the program as it took shape, was 
 the result of a cooperative process of student -pastor effort. Since all of these young 
 people came from churches in which the youth work included a Sunday evening dis- 
 cussion group, organized under the name and pattern of the Baptist Young Peoples' 
 Union, it was deemed wise to retain that name and pattern. Likewise, a Sunday 
 School structure of the usual type was set up and began functioning for religious in- 
 struction. Inasmuch as the same group of persons would be involved in all Sunday 
 services, and these were busy college students, it was deemed advisable not to add 
 a fourth, an evening worship service. For the same reason, in the matter of giving, 
 why not confine the contributions to one service, through the morning worship ser- 
 vice, and administered by a single treasurer? In the case of this church group, this 
 method soon demonstrated itself as being the fairest and wisest method of church 
 finance, and remained so through at least the years of the Bryant leadership. 
 
 The P.Y.P. U. proceeded to set up its own organization, with one impor- 
 tant departure from the standard type. It was quickly realized that the uniform topic 
 discussion material, set up by mature minds at national headquarters, was directly 
 geared to high school minds and interests. Accordingly, the Meetings Committee 
 determined to select its own discussion material in line with college minds and 
 interests. Examination of the series which this committee set up for the two se - 
 mesters of the first year shows that the themes included such topics as "the mean- 
 ing of the Christian life and living", "meaning of the prayer experience", "the rela - 
 tion of the Bible to present day living" ;eight meetings were devoted to missions in 
 the far-flung areas of the world. These latter meetings became the responsibility 
 of a Missions Department, which gathered, examined, sifted and planned the use 
 of the latest material available, as published by our national denominational soci- 
 eties. Among special studies offered appear HOW THE BIBLE CAME TO US, OLD 
 TESTAMENT HISTORY and THE LIFE OF JESUS. 
 
 Thus the religious educational feature of the church's program became a 
 dominant one from the very beginning and its objective was to give college youth a 
 working knowledge of our sacred Christian literature as well as of the great expan- 
 sion of the Christian Faith throughout the world as sponsored by the Baptist denom- 
 ination. 
 
 Fellowship:- Social gatherings, on a monthly calendar, from the first 
 sought to develop the spirit of fellowship within the group. The first of these gath- 
 erings still remains a memorable affair, as shown by the fact that years later, on 
 the occasion of an annual banquet of the church, an older member, described in a- 
 musing detail that first party in the fall of 1912. It took the form of a Halloween 
 party held in the Bryant home, accompanied by all the ghostly personages and tra- 
 ditional features usually associated with this festival, including a real Indian for- 
 tune teller in her teepee in one corner of the attic. 
 
 During the early years of the church it became the regular practice of the 
 Bryants, each Sunday evening following the B. Y. P. U. Service, to take home with 
 them a group of students to enjoy an hour or two of informal sociability. By exer- 
 cising foresight in selecting these, it was possible, during the course of a college 
 year, to entertain at least all the freshmen and others who might seem lonely or for 
 some personal reason seemed to need that kind of attention. The Y -auditorium did 
 not lend itself to simple informality of this nature, hence the Bryant home became 
 increasingly the center for all such gatherings. 
 
 In an institution as large as our university the problem of creating a fell - 
 owship within a rapidly moving procession, or even of helpingto buildup any friend- 
 
ships between student and student, was early recognized. Meeting this need call- 
 ed for conscious effort and a skillful approach. The contribution made by the pas- 
 tor's home during these early formative years, through the medium of many infor- 
 mal gatherings will always remain one of the deepest, most dynamic contributions 
 to the growing lives of college young people. An experience of some twenty years 
 later may not be out of place in this connection, illustrative of the significance of 
 the plan followed. It occurred on a Sunday morning long after the "living church" 
 was occupying its new building; returning to the church parlor from an errand to the 
 second floor Mr. Bryant was discovered talking to a seemingly strange young man. 
 A second look at him, Harry A. Roe was recognized. Amazement was written all 
 over his face when we declared, '"Why Harry Roe, where did you come from?" Pres- 
 ently he asked, "Mrs. Bryant, do you still take lonely students home with you Sun- 
 day evenings after B.Y.P. U?" 
 
 Early Student Leaders :- Plate I, presents a picture of the first group, taken 
 at the end of the year, about June 1, 1913. As the picture was made on the last 
 Sunday of the school year, more than half of the active group had gone to their homes 
 for the summer. It was taken by Everett Young, whose continuing interest in ama- 
 teur photography is responsible for a major collection of the pictures - large group, 
 individual and small groups, which appear in this book. The church was indebted 
 to Everett for the organization of an orchestra that first year. His connection with 
 the church continued throughout the years of his life, except for a period of some 
 ten years, between 1916 and 1926, which he spent in China as a consulting engineer 
 of the Chinese Government. Mayne S. Mason, whom we met in the first chapter of 
 this narrative, because of his continuing residence at campus after his graduation, 
 made a significant contribution during the formative years of the church. In his 
 quiet way he became the pastor's chief counsellor. It is scarcely possible to over- 
 estimate the value of his contribution. His counsel in the selection of the first stu- 
 dent leaders, his detailed knowledge of campus affairs, especially religious, pro - 
 vided guiding points to the early activities . Others who should be mentioned are 
 Frank Turner, first Sunday School Superintendent, Hans Greison, Gretchen Schiff- 
 bauer (now Mrs. Cliff), and Edgar Swartwout. Young people who are glad to stand 
 by faithfully in the initial stages of a new enterprise, especially a religious one, 
 meeting under conditions markedly not churchly, through four years of early struggle, 
 can correctly be evaluated as of more than ordinary stability. They laid a founda- 
 tion of "The Living Church". 
 
 We close this chapter with a few statements from the pen of Mr. Bryant, 
 written for and published in a state paper, THE STANDARD, in November, 1912, 
 concerning his findings at the campus. Describing a campus community of some 
 5000 students, 500 faculty, fraternity and boarding houses, located more than a mile 
 from the business districts of each of the Twin Cities, he points out that active re- 
 ligious work is under way by six of the larger denominations, four of them with new 
 church buildings. He was able to secure the names of 240 registered Baptist stu- 
 dents, but considered that there are many others who are making these other churches 
 their home. In some detail he describes these church buildings, especially the new 
 Presbyterian church dedicated that fall, after four years in a rented building. "I 
 came here to begin Baptist work, "he writes. "It may appear to some like church 
 rivalry. Our part is rather an attempt on the part of Illinois Baptists to save and 
 conserve their most valuable human resource. " 
 
 ■9- 
 
Three YEARS OF STEADY GROWTH 
 
 The academic years of 1913 to and including 1915-16, show a steady, 
 healthful growth in numbers, in an expanding program and in a more inclusive type 
 of organization. Growth in numbers may be illustrated by the following statistics :- 
 
 Average attendance in 
 
 Bible School Preaching Service B.Y.P. U. Service 
 
 Sundays, 1912 46 63 47 
 
 Sundays, 1916 73 111 50 
 
 The group pictures during these years record the same story. 
 Plate I., the 1914-15 group included 72; in the 1915-16 group, 80 were 
 present. These pictures were taken following the morning services late in May of 
 the respective years and may be regarded as representative of the average attend- 
 ance during the year. 
 
 Growth in Program: - Expansion of the program of religious instruction both 
 through the Sunday School and in the briefer courses presented as part of the eve- 
 ning services, show an increasing interest in this important feature. Additional 
 courses, listed on church bulletins of these years are: 
 
 The Social Teachings of Jesus 
 
 The Church and Community Life 
 Briefer courses were: 
 
 Methods in Teaching Religion 
 
 The Social Force of Foreign Missions 
 
 The Social Force of Home Missions 
 
 A Century of Baptist Missions 
 
 Great Men of the Christian Church 
 
 A Study of the Boy (for men) 
 
 How the Bible Came to Us 
 These latter courses were usually presented for five or six successive Sunday eve- 
 nings. The additional courses also included new teachers. The names of Professor 
 H. J. Broderson, Mrs. C. G. Lumley and Mr. James Palmer appear on announcement 
 cards among new instructors. 
 
 The widening horizons of interest are registered in the new committees 
 added to the B.Y.P.U. organization. These were a "Lake Geneva", a "Religious 
 Work", and a "Social Service" Committee. Under changing names the Lake Geneva 
 Committee remained a feature of the program for the remaining years of the Bryant 
 Era. This phase of activity grew out of the pastor's conviction that there should be 
 some continuing religious training of a high order during the summer vacation. 
 This committee made a study of opportunities presented by the conferences spon- 
 sored by theY.M. andY.W.C.A. at their camp on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, as 
 well as, in later years of the Baptist Assemblies set up in Illinois for the Baptist 
 youth of the state. Experimenting with carefully selected students attending each 
 of the gatherings revealed that the opportunities presented at the church -sponsored 
 assemblies afforded as rich a spiritual growth as the older ones at Lake Geneva; 
 that the former placed emphasis on community church programs and contributed to 
 the growth of church-consciousness. 
 
 The Religious Work feature was led for a few years by Alvin T. Fishman. 
 This development came about by a call for student help to assist with a new miss- 
 ion enterprise in an out -lying district of Urbana. Students responded enthusiasti- 
 cally, the Committee was organized, and a few selections were made by the chair- 
 man to go to this center Sunday afternoons, to teach Sunday School classes, help 
 with evening worship services, give guidance to boys' club programs. Incidentally, 
 Mr. Fishman' s continuing interest and activity had a direct bearing on the dedica- 
 
 -10- 
 
tion of his life to the foreign mission of the denomination. He remains in India 
 where he has been a worker in the field of agricultural missions for many years. 
 At the present time (1952) he is head of the department of education, Andhrd Chris- 
 tian College, Guntur, South India. 
 
 Another development of these years has to do with the matter of church 
 finance. That the student church should undertake the entire responsibility of fi- 
 nancing the local enterprise came to the fore at the beginning of the second year, 
 that is the 1913-14 year. The idea was advanced by a young faculty man, Dr. 
 Stuart Bates, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. It was his conviction, after care- 
 ful study of the first year's record, that such a step could be taken at once, thereby 
 relieving the State Convention treasury of this additional burden. Dr. Bates suggest- 
 ed the adoption of a tentative budget, and a system of weekly giving through envel- 
 opes. The records of the Clerk for the fall of 1914 show that the first budget adopt- 
 ed was for $340.00, including $2 8. 00 for missions. Increasing interest in the Miss- 
 ionary work of the denomination are indicated by a steady increase in this budgetary 
 item: for the fourth year of the church, that of 1915, the amount was $36.00. Items 
 included in the budgets were for choir director, music, pianist and rent for the Hall. 
 
 Student Leaders: - During the years when the "living church" was taking 
 permanent form, the Y.M.C.A. Assembly Hall continued to be the meeting place. 
 The "Y" was most generous in lending additional small, adjacent rooms as the 
 number of Bible classes increased, until all such spaces were taxed to capacity. 
 The only appeal during these years was that of a meaningful fellowship, the nur- 
 ture of the spiritual life, and the educational features. Increase in numbers, with- 
 out the exterior architectural feature, naturally drew chiefly men and women of more 
 than ordinary character and sincerity of purpose. During the last years of his short 
 life, Mr. Bryant's memory occasionally turned in loving gratitude toward this 
 "mountain peak" group of founders. From the lists of names appearing on bulletins, 
 as well as faces in the pictures included in this chapter, we note the names of Hu- 
 bert Cadle, Esther Clements, Don Cox, Pauline Primm, Frankie Holton, Hans 
 Greison, Newton Grey, Francis Coolidge, D. F. Heath, "Joe" Howard, C. H. Jack- 
 man, Amy and Pearl Weir, Edgar Swartwout, Helen Whitchurch, Edna Linnell, Hel- 
 en Miner, B. W. Fairbanks, Guy and Fred Wakeland. During this same period the 
 Lumley family with their apartment home on the Urbana side of the campus, made 
 a valuable contribution. Their home became a frequent meeting place for small 
 groups. Leslie served as Sunday School Superintendent for two years, his upper- 
 classmen years. How many of these can you identify from the pictures, you who 
 belonged to this era of the church's life? (See Plate I. ) 
 
 By way of conclusion for this chapter and the founding era, I present a 
 brief summary from the pen of an interested visitor, who spent several days as 
 guest of the church. "This is what I saw", he wrote, "Where formerly a mere hand- 
 ful of Baptist students were regularly in the local churches, now around 150 of the 
 300 Baptists registered in the University are actively, yes, enthusiastically, con- 
 nected with their own church. It is indeed their own church -- deacons, trustees, 
 Bible School Superintendent, B.Y.P.U. officers, choir, orchestra, ushers -- all are 
 students. Faculty Baptists too are enlisted, but largely as leaders of the five 
 strong Bible classes. Mr. Pastor, what would you not give to have even one of these 
 young people return to your church, trained, efficient, devoted?" This student 
 church is no mere playhouse. The services, at present held in a rented hall, are 
 conducted with reverent and devout dignity. There is an intelligent and serious 
 seeking for truth which the church meets with genuine Christian culture. This is a 
 real school for lay service. In a university too huge to make many intimate friend- 
 ships likely, here is a most democratic body in which warm friendships are formed 
 on the finest foundations. " 
 
 11 
 
Four PLANNING FOR PERMANENCY 
 
 During the first fouryears, 1912-1916, while the living church was growing 
 into a close-knit fellowship, the State Convention forces were likewise at work. 
 The vigor with which the State Superintendent, Dr. E. P. Brand, pushed the enter- 
 prise is illustrated by the forceful statements used in his published articles, ap- 
 pearing in the State Bulletin: "this work must be done. . . .in this state it can be 
 done. Our committee is planning to push on. " By the end of the first year of the 
 movement at the campus, he was satisfied that the University Baptist Church was a 
 going concern. "We believe the first year justifies our efforts in undertaking this 
 work. . . .We believe the time has come when the denomination in this state should 
 take steps toward erecting a suitable building on our lot (in Champaign) for this im- 
 portant work," were a few of his statements in annual reports. 
 
 Early in the second year the two "engineers", Brand and Bryant, worked 
 out detailed plans for the proposed building, drew up and had printed a circular for 
 general distribution among the Baptists of the state. These plans included, with a 
 worship shrine, classrooms for the educational program, a social center and a pas- 
 tor's residence. Why include so much? As Dr. Brand conceived the future of the 
 enterprise, a Christian ministry to college youth includes, in addition to the nurture 
 of the spiritual life through worship, high level social and recreational features. 
 The ministry of religion to people is a many -faceted matter, including the whole 
 range of human experience. He likewise visioned that the real core of the enter- 
 prise centered in the pastoral leadership, hence placing the pastor's home within 
 the structure, established in a concrete manner this relationship. "Whenever stu- 
 dents in later years think of their campus church home, it will be tied up with the 
 guiding spirit", was the Brand way of stating this principle. 
 
 But the Bryant team, with their professional training as teachers, viewed 
 the entire enterprise, including worship, as an educational proposition, and Chris- 
 tian instruction as a fundamental element in the church's ministry. Every detail 
 for this purpose received studied attention, including classrooms, adequate black- 
 boards and other visual aids in education. 
 
 In the spring of 1914 the State Board made arrangements with the local 
 group to hold its semi-annual meeting at the campus, with the student group in con- 
 trol of all local arrangements . These included a reception and dinner in honor of 
 the Board, with the entire church present. Dr. Brand, reporting on this meeting in 
 published accounts, stated: "after presenting, studying and discussing the plans 
 as drawn, a Finance Committee of three was appointed to undertake the work of 
 raising $30, 000 for the proposed building, completed, furnished and equipped. Af- 
 ter brief talks by Dr. Brand, Reverend J. F. Mills, President Potter of Shurtliff 
 College, and F. E. R. Miller of Galesburg, three students and two professors spoke 
 for the work. The splendid work being done, the enthusiasm of the students and 
 appreciation of the pastoral leadership were mentioned. " 
 
 Initial Efforts and Response: - The printed bulletin was made ready by the 
 new Finance Committee - D. H. McGillivary, E. P. Brand and M. S. Bryant - and 
 put into circulation. A few illustrations will suffice to indicate the reception of 
 this document by Illinois Baptists: Dr. Brand reported that a Chicago church order- 
 ed 500 copies, which were distributed to their membership with the regular Sunday 
 Bulletin, May 24, 1914. Another 700 copies of the folder for another church were 
 ordered for similar use. He also reported receipt of unsolicited checks from three 
 unnamed persons totaling $400.00. At the regular assembly of the Convention for 
 that fall, 1914, an action was taken, in response to a recommendation from the Ed- 
 ucation Committee, to the effect that a full-time man be placed in the field of the 
 Convention to raise the money for the erection of the building. Later, in sessions, 
 a report was made that the Committee recommended that Reverend W . J. Sparks 
 
 -12- 
 
would be available for this special service at a stipulated salary, for a period of 
 six months. 
 
 Fund -Raising :- Mr. Sparks actually began the work less than a month 
 later, on November 10th, closing his efforts July 31st, 1915, with pledges and cash 
 receipts totaling $40,500. Reporting on the outcome through the pages of THE 
 BULLETIN, the next summer, Dr. Brand stated that the money was pledged by 189 
 persons, from fourteen associations, including Young Peoples' Union collections. 
 The pledges were written to be made in annual payments running some three, others 
 five years. So fine was the response that some of the givers suggested making 
 provisions for an endowment to be paid out of their estates. 
 
 The interest with which the student body watched the progress of the fund- 
 raising campaign and scanned the published reports concerning it is indicated by a 
 postal card which came to Mr. Bryant. The successful outcome, as reported through 
 the pages of THE BULLETIN, had no more than reached the hands of the Baptist 
 public before this card was received. 
 
 Hoopeston, Illinois 
 August 17, 1915 
 
 My Dear Mr. Bryant: 
 
 I see "by the latest "Bulletin" 
 that enough money has been subscribed for our church 
 in Champaign. I congratulate you heartily for the 
 success of the work so far. You and Mrs. Bryant 
 have accomplished a great thing for the Baptist stu- 
 dents at Illinois. We want you to feel that we 
 appreciate it greatly, and we hope not to disappoint 
 you by failing to do what you expect of us in the 
 future . 
 
 Yours, 
 
 Gene Newburn 
 
 -13 
 
Five CHANGE AND GROWTH 
 
 The era of this history from 1916 to the end of the Bryant ministry is mark- 
 ed by several "growing spots" which may appropriately be described as enrichment 
 of experience. The church bulletins in the fall of 1916 described the Sunday morn- 
 ing service as "Morning Worship" rather than "preaching service" as formerly. This 
 change goes deeper than merely a change from the Y-Assembly hall to a formal 
 church "Shrine". This deeper level of experience is shown by some of the discuss- 
 ion themes appearing in the list of evening forum meetings: "The Worship of the 
 Church", "Essentials of True Worship", "Developing the Spiritual Life", "Practic- 
 ing the Presence of God" being a few of this type. About this same time the Stu- 
 dent Council drew up a document describing the functions of the various departments . 
 The Devotional Life group described its purpose to "encourage a deeper spiritual ex- 
 perience both for its membership and the church as a whole". In the regular month - 
 ly meetings of this department a brief study was made including such new books as 
 were coming from the religious press - "The Worship of the Church", "Training the 
 Devotional Life". Studies of this character led to a realization that such worship is 
 both a method and an art. From this study the group worked out many special wor- 
 ship services, along the lines of the recognized principles, such services as the 
 Christmas and Easter vesper services. The influence of this training on the entire 
 spiritual life of the church cannot be overstated. The morning "worship" service be- 
 came noticeably deeper in spiritual tone, with two or three periods of silence during 
 the hour. A new feeling of reverence crept into this service as well, as the entire 
 church group became increasingly aware of the meaning of true worship - commun- 
 ion with the Divine. 
 
 One illustration pointing up this growth may not be out of place. A fresh- 
 man boy, home for the Christmas vacation, was invited by his pastor to give a talk 
 from the pulpit of the church on the subject of "Religion at the State University". 
 He reported his own personal experience, describing the Sunday morning worship 
 service of the campus church; he concluded with words something like these, "You 
 can really feel the presence of God in these services". (The report of his talk was 
 made in a letter to Mr. Bryant by a woman who was present and heard his com- 
 ments . ) 
 
 The ministry of music in the growth of spiritual experience was likewise 
 recognized early through similar studies, but especially through those conducted in 
 the monthly meetings of the Department of Music. Such books as "The Music of 
 the Church", "The Ministry of Music", "An Evening with the Hymnal". The Music 
 Department described its purpose as that of "fostering a greater appreciation of the 
 type and use of music in the worship of the church". The training in the choir was 
 geared toward recognition of this responsibility, through the ministry of great music. 
 One incident made a profound impression on all who experienced it. It was the 
 special occasion of the Christmas service. The choir had assembled in an ante- 
 room ready for the processional. The youthful Director, giving last minute instruc- 
 tions, concluded with the statement: "Remember at all times the message we are 
 to give through music". Then calling for a moment of silent prayer, with bowed 
 heads, he offered his own brief prayer toward this goal. What finer way could be 
 found to insure calm serenity of soul in each singer in preparation for this special 
 ministry! It was the more effective because it was offered by the Director, rather 
 than the pastor who, in fact, was not in the room. 
 
 As indicated in the preceeding chapter, the instructional program centered 
 in the Commission or Cabinet of Religious Education, which defined its function as 
 "(1) to direct the curriculum, study attendance records, sponsor book sales", 
 "(2) to provide ways for emphasizing and stimulating interest in an education in 
 religion". One of the fruitful methods used for these purposes was a religious ed- 
 
 -14- 
 
ucation emphasis Sunday early in the fall and again in February. Sunday evening 
 meetings were also similarly used, with such themes as "The purpose and method 
 of Religious Education", "Our Church a School of Religion", "Getting an Education 
 in Religion". 
 
 Included in the instructional program were studies in the great expansion 
 movements of the Christian Faith - the world-wide Missionary movement and work. 
 This phase fell to the direction of the Missionary Department, which presented 
 material and gave it through the regular Sunday evening meetings, under such 
 themes as "Outlook of the Town and Country Church", "Christian Missions in 
 India". Of course this field was given vitality and concreteness because of the 
 church's own representatives, the A. T. Fishmans in India. In addition there were 
 memorable visits from a few returned missionaries home on furlough, as well as 
 national secretaries, with us for week-end visits. 
 
 Another training feature of the program was the retreat - a special but brief 
 period of intensive meeting, usually in the fall at pre -registration time, away from 
 the tensions and distractions of campus life, for the Student Council. These gather- 
 ings for the leaders of the student program were to examine in detail plans for the 
 work, both in its beginning features as well as in its on -going. Combined with re- 
 creational features they also provided relaxation. Each new Chairman made state- 
 ments concerning the goals for his Department, which were discussed by all pres- 
 ent, suggestions made, if any, or possibly criticisms. These discussions, in a 
 group setting usually generated a high degree of enthusiasm and a release of dyna- 
 mic energy for the launching of the new year's work in the finest spirit. In fact this 
 was a major purpose of the retreat. 
 
 "Our church is a real family" was an occasional remark of some member 
 as the large audience descended to the spacious parlor after a morning service. A- 
 gain someone would say, watching students and adults mingle, "how they do enjoy 
 hanging around just to visit". Consciousness of group -solidarity gradually took 
 form, along with that of "the church a school". What have been some of the factors 
 contributing toward this attitude? Perhaps it is scarcely possible to express in con- 
 crete terms the growth of an intangible like atmosphere, but a few tangible ele- 
 ments surely made a contribution. One of these is an architectural feature. An a- 
 dult visitor, noting the very large parlor on the first floor, the room into which every 
 one, entering the church, came on his way to the worship room on second floor, or 
 into which the entire audience came as they left the worship service. This beauti- 
 fully furnished, homey room is an enlarged vestibule as well as a parlor, "How 
 wisely someone planned this building", or "isn't it fine to see students and older 
 people lingering and mingling in this homey room", were remarks that visitors 
 made as they watched the "family" together on any normal Sunday. Little did the 
 youthful planners, working with paper and pencil back in 1914-15 dream this out- 
 come, when, as an expedient rather than a forethought, they sketched the commo- 
 dious parlor back of the main entrance doors at the front of the building. The deep- 
 er fellowship values of this room could scarcely have been foreseen, but through 
 the years this room has become and still remains a real community center, a fam- 
 ily gathering place and a recreation room all in one. 
 
 The Fellowship Departments - Mens' andWomens' - have been the vital, 
 dynamic factors for fostering and developing the human side of this growth. This 
 department with the specific objective of helping to "create and promote acquain- 
 tances, friendships and the spirit of fellowship among our students has been a major 
 instrument in this growth. Their method of early visitation to new students right 
 after registration, their purposeful, week by week attention to newcomers, has been 
 a larger factor than is realized by a casual observer. In addition to this unseen act- 
 ivity, the women's fellowship sponsored teas in honor of the adult women of the 
 church, or for some visiting woman. The womens' branch also helped the pastor's 
 
 -15- 
 
wife with weekly teas in the apartment each Sunday afternoon. 
 
 This narrative would not be complete without a report on the contribution 
 of the older women's group, faculty wives, parents of children. Very early in the 
 life of the church a few of these young wives called on the pastor's wife, seemingly 
 for a friendly call, but before the call ended one of the callers casually remarked 
 that she thought there were enough of them to have a society that could meet regu- 
 larly with a program of their own. From this informal discussion plans emerged to 
 call a meeting of all women in the church, non-students, to consider organizing a 
 society. Thus the "Womens' Society" of the University Baptist Church came into 
 being. This society sponsored many social gatherings through the years, which 
 have made notable contributions toward the life of the church, especially in the 
 realm of that intangible - the "family", or the "fellowship". Although never push- 
 ing themselves forward on any occasion, their unobtrusive presence, attention to indi - 
 vidual students whom some one noticed appeared lonely, they became a felt -force 
 in preventing any sharp cleavage between adult and youth in the church. Some of 
 these adults enjoyed and were always welcomed to such special functions as the 
 Christmas party, the spring picnic, the annual banquet or "all -family dinner". The 
 homes of some of these have made truly fine contributions toward a unification of 
 the family life of the church. A few of these families have remained through all 
 the years to date, places where visiting alumni love to call - to get information a- 
 bout those they knew, or just to visit. Who can measure this on-going mission of 
 loyal long-term members, even though some of these are now retired from active 
 life at campus. 
 
 Gradually through the years there has grown up a consciousness of the 
 Christian Community at the campus . This development had its beginnings in a 
 Religious Workers Association which held regular monthly meetings, usually a- 
 round the noon luncheon table. This Body was in full operation when Mr. Bryant 
 came to start Baptist work. It has been a coordinating group for campus -wide re- 
 ligious activities, such as a monthly A 11 -University service in the university audi- 
 torium, an annual Thanksgiving service likewise held in the same auditorium, 
 special services during Holy Week. The latter culminated in a community com- 
 munion service on Maundy Thursday evening. The summer union vesper services 
 on campus were also a feature of their program. In the fall large Church Bulletins 
 appeared in strategic places on campus at registration time, giving location of 
 each campus church, pastor's name, and the time of its services. The "I" book 
 put out by the "Y" each fall especially to help new students, contained a section 
 describing each church, if possible, with a picture of each pastor. Taken all to- 
 gether these elements laid a natural but firm foundation upon which later "Y" and 
 pastoral leadership have built a "Christian Community at the Campus". 
 
 Perhaps the foregoing account of the character of the ministry of the church 
 will suffice to show how one church at the campus sought to fulfill its purpose in a 
 ministry to college youth. 
 
 Hasseltine House :- Pictured on Plate II . is a group of girls of these 
 years, which tells the brief story of an enterprise started by a few of our girls under 
 the stimulous of the Dean of Women, Miss Mason. A small house on South Sixth 
 Street, Champaign, owned by the university, was available, and offered to the in- 
 quiring girls to experiment with a House for Baptist girls . The leader in the new 
 movement was Edna Gillogly, who, after a first interview with Dean Mason, se- 
 cured from the church office, the names and addresses of a small group of picked 
 girl-leaders, to whom she wrote of the suggested venture. There were enough fav- 
 orable replies to warrant proceeding. The group picture presents those who formed 
 the pioneering group. This experiment continued with real success for two school 
 years. The State Board became interested in the proposition, and set up a special 
 committee to make a careful study of the proposition. There was no doubt of the 
 
 -16- 
 
interest of the girls. A canvas was made in the university residence district for a 
 larger, more suitable house. The only one available was too far from the center of 
 life and the cost seemed to the Committee to be prohibitive, when considered a- 
 gainst the actual number of Baptist girls who could be accomodated. It was with 
 real regret that this Committee, after a carefully considered year's study, did not 
 feel justified to recommend the enterprise to the State Convention, at that time. 
 
 17- 
 
Six GROWTH THROUGH ENRICHMENT 
 
 The decade following the dedication of the new church building, that is 
 from 1916-26, was marked by several changes, expansions, indicating a broaden- 
 ing vision of meanings. Some of the changes were organizational in character, 
 others were concerned with the enriching character of the "Living Church". The 
 latter had to do with a growing sense of fellowship within the group, and the begin- 
 ning of a sense of the Christianity Community at the campus. The manner in which 
 these changes were brought about serve to demonstrate the process or co-operative 
 planning and sharing work toward definite goals with deepening insight. 
 
 Organizational Changes 
 
 The term "Adisory Board" appears on the church bulletins for the first 
 time in the fall of 1916. This new Board included the chairmen of each of the Boards 
 of Trustees, Deacons, Ushers, B.Y.P.U. President, Bible School Superintendent, 
 Church Clerk and Treasurer, and the Pastor. All communications sent out to the 
 constituancy on behalf of the church were signed by the new Board. This Board 
 handled all business details. The term "Executive Committee of the Church", 
 bearing eight names, also appeared during these years. This Committee seems to 
 be a smaller, less cumberson group within the Board, consisted of the six trustees, 
 the Clerk and the Treasurer. Gradually through the years this smaller body came 
 to handle exclusively the finance budget and oversight of the property, thus releas- 
 ing the student energy for full attention to the special youth program. A steadily 
 growing student enrollment in the university, as well as the church, made such a 
 division of labor necessary. 
 
 In the student organization we note the new term, "Student Council" and 
 at the same time the term "committees" merged into "Departments". This change 
 was also due to increase in numbers. New "Departments" added about this time 
 were "Deputation Work", "Religious Dramatics", "Life Service Guidance", and 
 "Fellowship". 
 
 During the year of 1920-21 a commission on "Religious Education" was 
 created, separate from the Student Council. Its purpose and duties were "to make 
 a study of the whole realm on religious education in the church, and made recom- 
 mendations from time to time as they saw fit, to improve, expand or enrich the 
 program within the church" . During this same year on the advice of the Advisory 
 Board, a constitution for the church was drawn up and accepted by the church. 
 
 Program Changes 
 
 Two important changes came about during the same year as a direct result 
 of the creation of a Commission of Religious Education. The first was the develop- 
 ment of a course in teacher -training, a study which was planned as a preliminary 
 to the Sunday Evening Forum. This study group met for eight consecutive Sundays 
 at five o'clock, under the leadership of the Pastor, using a textbook, "How To 
 Teach Religion" by Herbert Betts. A report on this enterprise was later published 
 in the BAPTIST, stating that the enrollment was 70 with an average attendance of 
 65. At the request of the Executive Secretary of the Board of Education of the 
 Northern Baptist Convention, (Rev. Frank Padelford) a picture of this group was 
 taken, which showed a group of 72, but this number includes pastor and wife and 
 one visitor. (See Plate IV) 
 
 Another change brought about under the direction of the Commission of 
 Religious Education was an increasing use of the term "School of Religion" in the 
 publicity material. Designation of the various classes in the church school as 
 
 -18- 
 
"First Year", "Second Year", et cetera in place of "Freshman", "Sophomore" in- 
 dicated a good step in advance. Special courses for graduate students were offered 
 during these years. The following appears on the regular church bulletins, prefac- 
 ing the regular announcement of the curriculum of Religious Education, "The aim 
 of these courses is to provide an education in religion, - a necessary feature of a 
 complete college education. While one is at liberty to take any course he chooses, 
 it is better to take them in the order listed, as each course logically follows the 
 preceding one." This statement eased the way for transfer and graduate students 
 to begin with the first year course, or at any point in the series in accordance with 
 the felt -need on the individual. 
 
 The Unified Service 
 
 Another important change brought about by the Commission was a re- 
 shaping of the entire morning service. In place of the two - Bible School and Morn- 
 ing Service, - these two were combined into a unified plan of one. Students came 
 to the morning worship service first, then went at once to their respective classes 
 immediately following. It should be stated that this plan came about as a result of 
 a years' study and observation of a similar change in the First Baptist Church of 
 Champaign, under the leadership of Rev. W. B. Morris. After careful observation 
 of the plan in a sister church, the same was adopted by church action in the fall of 
 1923. The immediate result of adoption of this plan was a saving of student -time, 
 due to the fact a large percentage of our students were earning their living or a part 
 thereof by outside work, hence were unable to attend two separate services. It also 
 made possible to concentrate attention on two services each Sunday rather than 
 three. 
 
 Membership and Finance 
 
 The first Sunday in October was set aside as Church -Membership Sunday, 
 a campus -wide practice. In our church preparation was made for this feature 
 through an informal letter mailed out far enough in advance of that Sunday so that 
 each student coming to the church would know what to expect. This letter included 
 a membership and pledge card. It should be noted that there was no appreciable 
 diminution of attendance on that Sunday. All services of that day emphasized 
 church -membership, thus confronting new students at the out -set of their college 
 courses with a decision of a vital matter. Annual church Bulletins of these years 
 reveal the topics discussed at the evening services on Membership Sunday: 
 
 The Value of A Church Home, 
 
 Our Church Traditions, 
 
 Attaching ourselves to the Church, 
 
 The Student and his Church, 
 
 Our University Church- -every one a member, 
 
 a weekly giver, and in his pew every Sunday. 
 Another feature of the morning services on these special Sundays, the pas- 
 tor took a few of the student leaders into the pulpit with him, each giving a few 
 minutes talk on similar themes. Sometimes a student would explain a particular 
 phase of the church program. Usually the church Treasurer or Chairman of the 
 Advisory Board read the details of the proposed budget for the year, explaining the 
 principals of our finance structure, namely, that, since the pastor is a gift to the 
 church, it has been the practice of the local group to carry the entire burden of fin- 
 ancing the church business. 
 
 One of the most significant events in the history of the University Baptist 
 Church during the Bryant era was the ordination of Alvin T. Fishman, who was under 
 
 -19- 
 
appointment of the National Foreign Mission Society, for service in India. This 
 event occurred March 28th, 1920 in the church as the regular morning worship ser- 
 vice.. The church bulletin for that occasion states that Mr. Fishman received his 
 bachelor's degree from the university in 1916 and his masters in 1917. Although 
 Mrs. Fishman received her bachelor's degree from the university, the date is not 
 given. The ordination sermon on this occasion was preached by Mr. Bryant. Rev- 
 erend V. T. Witter of the Foreign Society was present and took over the service 
 and was the principal speaker at the evening service. The Service of Ordination 
 was a "Family Affair". Lloyd Short of the Graduate School gave the "Charge to the 
 Candidate", and Reverend W. E. Beeby, formerly of India, the prayer. This was 
 a supreme hour for the Pastor of University Baptist Church. 
 
 -20 
 
Seven METHODS-PRINCIPLES-PHILOSOPHY 
 
 A well-rounded picture of the Movement and the program developed 
 through the twenty -two years of the Bryant ministry seems to call for a statement 
 of some of the underlying factors, which although these emerged more clearly with 
 the passing of the years, were in the minds of the pastoral leadership irom the first. 
 With an educational background which included the special techniques related to the 
 teaching profession, the Bryants naturally came to thus regard their work with col- 
 lege youth. But it soon became evident that educational principles from the secular 
 field were applicable in the special field of religious instruction, including not alone 
 the teaching of the subject-matter of religion, but equally in every group situation, 
 and in other phases, such as worship. Mr. Bryant never allowed himself to ignore 
 the fact that in each department, or committee meeting, he was dealing with young 
 people to whom this was a new experience. He frequently observed, after some 
 such group meeting, that it took much patience, as well as tact in the use of sug- 
 gestion to guide a group in the formation of plans; to sit silently by while young 
 minds grappled with problems - which in fact remained much the same year after 
 year - rather than inject his own ideas; but, "in that way only lay growth for them", 
 as he would state it. However, his own insight into methods, principles and phi- 
 losophy of the guiding function of a leader grew through the years of the experience, 
 as the purposes of the Church's ministry to youth unfolded before him. 
 
 Methods - Procedures - Techniques 
 
 The gradual organizational growth, as recorded in the preceding pages 
 reflects the consciousness of the importance of being able to place in active phases 
 of the work an ever increasing number of students, thus to provide an expanding 
 group experience to more students. Thus the Religious Education Cabinet for fully 
 ten years of active effort was a major factor in creating an educationally minded 
 church, as well as a few educationally minded individuals. At the same time such 
 a group provided active participation for an additional number of young people. Dur- 
 ing the later years of the Bryant leadership there was careful, continuing re -study 
 of organizational set-up. Could the same results be achieved by some simplifica- 
 tion? Thus it came about that in 1932, after much discussion with student leaders, 
 this Cabinet was merged with the Student Council, by selecting a representative 
 from each Bible Class to become regular members of the Student Council. This 
 policy, it was thought, would unify the entire student program around one inclusive 
 body. 
 
 Church Constitution 
 
 Adoption of this instrument in 1920 to define the organizational machinery, 
 its personnel, functions and duties was entirely a student -initiated, student - 
 promulgated project. In 1926 this instrument was given a thorough overhauling in 
 the same manner. We recall the occasion when a decision had been made to make 
 such a revision by the Advisory Board. Mr. Bryant casually alluded to the decision 
 at the breakfast table; I asked with some curiosity, "why a revision"? With the 
 characteristic twinkle of his eyes he replied, "to make it conform to what we are 
 doing now, and bring it down to date. " 
 
 We take occasion at this time to make an added comment concerning 
 this instrument, indeed, any church constitution, that from the first the pastor re- 
 garded this with no small degree of suspicion. A church of the nature of this one 
 must ever be regarded as "a movement", a growing movement. From the viewpoint 
 of a growth process a church constitution tends to become "an old wine skin". The 
 
 -21- 
 
life processes must be kept sufficiently fluid to make needed changes as conditions 
 change. The tendency, yes danger, of settling into fixed ecclesiastical institution - 
 alism scarcely belongs in an enterprise of this nature, to be continually fulfilling 
 its major purposes. Constitutions tend to become ends in themselves, hence their 
 danger. The simpler instrument set up by the Student Council defining its depart- 
 mental form, purposes and functions seemed to the pastor all that is needed for a 
 changing, growing life structure. 
 
 The Sunday Evening Plan 
 
 The outcome of the forum discussion plan for the Sunday evening ser- 
 vices, in the mind of the pastor, as well as by the leaders in the group, confirmed 
 the soundness of the principle upon which it rests. The student leadership always 
 resisted in no uncertain terms any tendency to alter the pattern by bringing in out- 
 side speakers too frequently. As a means of affording occasions and conditions for 
 self-expression along many diverse lines of thought, its value can scarcely beover- 
 estimated. It was the pastor's theory that the Sunday morning program, with its 
 formal instructional procedures should be supplimented by a discuss ional plan for 
 the evening, thus affording the students opportunity to express their personal re- 
 actions, impressions, in rebutal if they so desired. Since pulpit themes were often 
 the result of student requests, questions, suggestions, it seemed sound educational 
 method to afford occasion for group discussion of these by coordinated evening 
 topics. Thus an outlet channel was provided for a healthy give-and-take between 
 pastor and students so essential for co-operative, democratic relationships. From 
 the viewpoint of adult leadership, familiar with deeper interest and needs of stu- 
 dents, outside guest speakers were chosen deliberately to re-inforce, or to bring 
 additional information from larger fields of learning or activity, such as national 
 and international areas. Verbal instruction doesn't strike any depth of rootage with- 
 out correlated ways or channels of expression, in the words of the eminent psy - 
 chologist of years ago - William James - "no impression without correlated ex- 
 pression," such as student participation in summer assemblies, large conventions 
 and conference. Hence those having such privileges were given opportunities to 
 give expression to their experiences before the entire group. Again, another appli- 
 cation of this principle appears in affording all of the leaders of groups 
 opportunity to describe to new students each fall phases of the program. Although 
 the immediate objective was to afford enlistment for new students in the program, 
 it was also a helpful method of expression for the individuals concerned. In con- 
 nection with this principle of affording large opportunity for individual expression 
 may I quote the observation of a mother of one of our students, who remarked "you 
 certainly do a fine job training these young people to stand on their feet and give 
 oral expression to their thoughts". 
 
 One or two other techniques deserve comment illustrative of this basic 
 principle. The calling campaign each fall, immediately after registration, was one 
 of these. Difficult as this was for young people to go out to meet strangers near 
 their own ages, it proved its value in many ways. Those who volunteered were 
 called together, as a group and carefully briefed in the manner and skills of the 
 venture. Going out into the immediate area of residence of each caller, by twos, 
 each provided with a card announcing the Church services thus providing a first 
 point of contact - all were helpful in providing basic training to these inexperienced 
 young folk. Learning to meet strangers in the best possible manner, with a sug- 
 gestion of techniques, is also of life -long value. The Departments setting up a 
 definite schedule for regular monthly or bi-monthly meetings is most important in 
 an educational process. All of their after-college lives will need to be established 
 on this basis, in our western culture. In the student world, it was a necessity. 
 
 -22- 
 
The daily on -going lives of these young people is definitely scheduled twenty -four 
 hours of each day. By working out a careful schedule of meetings, students will 
 fit these into their calendars and can be depended on to keep them, although it is 
 well, until regular habits have been fully set, to make use of the mails with re- 
 minder cards from time to time. It appears as a part of the church's responsibility 
 to directly guide its students in this matter of forming definite habits of regularity 
 in making intelligent time schedules for a total life activity. 
 
 Personal Counseling 
 
 On all publicity bulletins, topic cards and other mailing matter a place 
 was made to announce that "the pastor's study is always open for calls and con- 
 ferences - especially between the hours of four to six P.M. daily. " In one pamph- 
 let mailed out this statement appears - "Make the pastor your friend. He has been 
 through college and knows your problems. He will always welcome calls and con- 
 ferences in his study." This phase of Mr, Bryant's ministry was his greatest sat- 
 isfaction and joy throughout the years. Looking back through the past this phase 
 seems still his most important contribution to the individual lives of his boys and 
 girls. How they did take advantage of the opportunity! The deepest desire of his 
 heart was to live close to his young people, to share their problems, perplexities, 
 joys; and they soon come to feel this. Scarcely an autumn season came and went 
 that, about mid -November he would observe, "I feel the ice ts beginning to break 
 (between minister and freshmen); the minister is becoming more a pal. " It was 
 for this reason that he always insisted on teaching the freshmen Bible class, that 
 he might begin the process of getting close to their lives at the very beginning of 
 their college courses. Some students acquired the habit of "just dropping in for a 
 little chat". These came to feel as much at home in the apartment kitchen as in 
 the study; they knew where the cookie or doughnut jar was kept, as well as the 
 Bible on the study desk. The parlor of the apartment often presented the appear- 
 ance of a doctor's waiting room, as students sat about, visiting among themselves, 
 while waiting to have each his brief conference with the pastor. And the minister 
 always kept in mind that all confidences were sacred matters, never to be divulged 
 to a third party. The full secrecy of the "confessional" was maintained at all times 
 and never violated. Is not this a basic principle for any fine friendship in life? The 
 ministry of the home took many forms. The guest room came to be known among 
 the students as "the hospital room". On many week-ends during the college year 
 the apartment would be open for students to take a parent or friend through. We re- 
 call over -hearing a freshman boy explain to his father, as they looked into the 
 guest room, "this is the place where they take care of us when we get sick. " 
 
 Another position which was established early in the on-going life of this 
 church, that there should be no "traditions" to be invariably followed. If or when 
 conditions pointed definitely toward the need for new measures or methods, changes 
 were unhesitatingly made. "Changed conditions demand new measures, " was the 
 usual statement concerning such changes. An ever expanding life calls for elastic 
 moulds in which to function. 
 
 Philosophy 
 
 In a personal letter to the pastor from President Kinley of the university 
 appears this statement; H I have always believed that no education is complete which 
 does not include proper religious training. I want to see every religious influence 
 possible thrown around our young people and every opportunity offered to them to 
 understand and to appreciate the value of the spiritual things of life." Thus one 
 president of a state university emphasizes spiritual values, with the direct state- 
 
 -23- 
 
ment or implication that a complete life, a complete preparation for life, includes 
 the supreme elements with which religion and the ministry is chiefly concerned. 
 Is not this the underlying philosphy of all religious work with and for students? 
 
 A quotation from one of Mr. Bryant' s brief pamphlets to students indicates 
 his own growing vision of the inclusiveness of the church's ministry to college 
 youth: "Are not your college days a part of your life? Why not live them just as 
 you expect to live after they shall have been completed. . . .One can avoid making 
 up his mind but can he avoid making up his life? Are these not the years when 
 your life is being made up?" 
 
 The church's function is primarily one of providing guidance in a total 
 process of helping to "make up lives", well rounded, complete personalities. This 
 principle found expression in occasional themes of sermons as well as evening 
 topics for discussion: "The real values of life", "Developing the spiritual life", 
 "A student's attitude toward life", "Seeing life whole". 
 
 The work of the various church bodies at tax -supported institutions began 
 as an enterprise to save, hold and train in churchmanship the youth of each com- 
 munion. The programs were church -centered, but in time they have become life- 
 centered, personality -centered. A few far-sighted church leaders, even from the 
 earliest years who through deepened experience and insight into life, came early to 
 recognize this fundamental fact. We quote the statement of one of these, who 
 back in 1908, speaking at the Illinois Baptist State Convention pointed out, "The 
 end of education is not learning, but life, " then describing the educative process 
 as it was practiced, denounced in strong terms the commercial purpose which all 
 too frequently dominates modern educational systems and thought, adding: "the 
 great needs of education are these: - to learn the art of obedience, self-mastery, 
 the mastery of the environment, the settling forth of lofty ideals of life. " 
 
 The "Church at the Campus" of this story gradually came to view itself 
 as more than a "School of Religious Education", including more than class room 
 instruction in religion, as important as this is. It came to feel itself a school for 
 complete living. Its relationships were not entirely defined in terms of "pulpit and 
 pew", but rather in the more inclusive term of "the living church". Its purpose in- 
 cludes more than passing on the priceless spiritual traditions of the Christian faith; 
 it also embodies that faith lived out through maturing and growing personalities. 
 
 In so far as the pulpit ministry was concerned there was a growing aware- 
 ness of the fact that "students are a special constituency", and the statement made 
 years later by Professor Shedd of Yale, "there is no cause with a stronger claim on 
 Christians. . . than due endowment of ministries to students". . ."put your picked 
 men in your universities." The development of the particular work described in 
 these pages points up these statements with the implication that an adequate 
 ministry to students calls for specialization in not one, but many areas, and special 
 abilities. At the present time for instance, a counseling service has come to be 
 recognized as a specialized ministry, calling for new techniques based on newer 
 psychological insight into personality; and the religious teaching function should 
 be based on the same principles of education as any secular educational procedures. 
 
 Transcending Narrower Boundries 
 
 In the early years of the church -sponsored student movement there was 
 recognition of the importance of placing the emphasis on the fundamentals of the 
 Christian life and experience, rather than on matters of sectarian interest and con- 
 cern. First and foremost the meaning of the Kingdom of God among men and the 
 growth of Christian character should be stressed. Back in 1914 these concepts 
 found expression: "The church that enters this field must understand at the outset 
 that any emphasis upon sectarianism, any attempt to use this enterprise to build 
 
 -24- 
 
The Founding Group, 1912-13, June 1913 
 Seated on the ground - left to right: Fajardo, Harry Roe, Don Gamble, Frank 
 Turner, Hans Greison, Pilchard, Wagner, Brandner, Clark. 
 Second Row: Mayne Mason, The Bryants, Bertha Sharp, Gretchen Schiffbaoeu, 
 Judith Streed, Will Andrews, McGregor and Lange. 
 
 Standing: Helen Whitchurch, Miss Clendenin, Miss Ferguson, Mrs. Wright, 
 Maude Willard, Henry Summers, Carol Holton, Leslie Gumm, Oin Markwell, 
 Hubert Cadle, Pauline Primm, Esther Clements, Bertha Wright, Frances Wright, 
 Lulu Geip. 
 
 Standing in the windows: Edgar Swartwout, Sutherland, Wallace, Everett Young, 
 Carter, Ross Mason, Fred Prout. 
 
 = s fPf 
 
 
 1 I 
 
 
 The Church Group 1914-1915 
 
 m 
 
 Group of 1916 
 
 PLATE I 
 
HASSELTINE HOUSE 
 Standing on Porch - Wilma Farnsworth, Alice Fritschle, 
 Ruth Anderson, Alice Newburn, the 
 first house Mother. 
 Standing on ground - Edna Werden, Rebecca Pratt, Elinor 
 Dicky, Edna Gillogly, H. Bryant 
 
 ! Ii- 
 
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 Wilma and Edna 
 
 The House 
 
 PLATE II 
 
The First Missionary 
 Alvin T. and Lois R. Fishman 
 
 Residence of Rev. J. W. Primm 
 909 S. Sixth Street, Champaign, Illinois 
 where the Church was organized in 1912 
 
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 PLATE VII 
 
Off to a Student Conference 
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 PLATE VTII 
 
Grant Dawson and 
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 Cleo A. Williams 
 Student Council President 
 1928-29 
 
 Gordon Brown and 
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 Robert Smith 
 
 PLATE DC 
 
Cecil Hobbs 
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 B. W. Huie 
 
 President Student Council 
 
 1928-29 
 
 Frank Lansing 
 
 First Chairman of 
 
 Religious Education 
 
 Council 1928-29 
 
 A Couple of Church Mothers 
 "Mother Wheeler" 
 
 S. C. Steffy 
 
 PLATE X 
 
Student Council Retreat, May 1928 
 Includes: Don Brown, Pres., Phil Smith, Velvie Vetter, 
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 R. Johnson and Mr. Bryant 
 
 An unplanned shot-on Church porch 
 The Bryants, Lucien Strubinger 
 
 PLATE XI 
 
The UNIVERSITY BAPTIST Church 
 Champaign, Illinois 
 
 Reverend Martin S. Bryant 
 Founder and First Pastor 
 
 PLATE XII 
 
Reverend Paul E. Alden 
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 Patricia 
 
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 PLATE IXX 
 
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The FORTIETH Anniversary, 1952 
 
 Rev. Pierre Tangent, Francis Coolidge, Mrs. Coolidge, Esther C. Milum 
 
 Moltie Drobisch, Margaret Swartwout, Helen W. Harrington, Frank Turner 
 
 Pauline P. Gumm, Gretchen S. Cliff, Frank Cliff, Mrs. Tangent 
 
 rv,& 
 
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 Edgar and Margaret Swartwout 
 
 PLATE XXm 
 
A Second generation group 1942 
 E. Young, Chas. Chandler, J. Wakeland, Eugene 
 Dilworth, Harriet Ditworth, Robert Hance 
 Seated: Mrs. Bryant, George Hance 
 
 The group a few weeks later with 
 Margaret Walworth present. 
 
 " r \ 
 
 Bryant Walworth and mother, 
 Mother's Day 1942 
 
 mf. / 
 
 I 
 
 Lois Walworth Lockley 
 
 A few Second Generation Baptist Alumni 
 
 PLATE XXIV 
 
Mr. C. A. Atwood and Reverend Pierre Tangent 
 
 - " 
 
 piP 
 
 
 
 illta sol mHF 
 
 STRATFORD HOUSE GIRLS 1960-61 
 
 PLATE XXV 
 
Rev. W. Hadyn Ambrose, Minister-Director 
 
 The Church Summer of 1960 
 
 PLATE XXVI 
 
The E. H. Walworth Family 
 E.H.W. and Mrs. , Margaret between; standing: Lois, 
 Harvey, Maurice, Bryant, Wiilard 
 
 W^% 
 
 3;;; : :,:y 
 
 The Kennedy Sons - Alan and William 
 
 PLATE XXVI I 
 
.. 
 
 i 
 
 Dr. William Garrett, Sibley, Illinois 38 
 
 Harriet M. Bryant and Manuscript of Church History 
 
 PLATE XXVm 
 
up a church as an end in itself, will be a source of almost fatal weakness 
 
 Whenever it becomes more interested in building up a church. . .than in serving the 
 community, it has gone a long way on the wrong road." (Quot. by Shedd, p. 72, 
 from R. C Hughes, then national secretary for Student Work, Presbyterian Board 
 of Education). Thus the church following this principle has learned to transcend 
 the narrower boundries of sectarianism. 
 
 We close this important chapter with a brief quotation from one of Mr. 
 Bryant's last public statements: "I trust we may never forget what we are here for 
 and what is our policy - not to make a great show, not to make our appeal to the 
 masses who come and go neither intending to mean anything to the work nor to let 
 the work mean anything to them; rather to make our appeal increasingly to the 
 serious -minded, those who want to get something out of the work and who want 
 their sojourn to be a deposit toward the higher life of the university. This is our 
 goal, our policy." 
 
 -25- 
 
Eight RESPONSE - OUTCOMES 
 
 By what method shall we measure the outcomes of 22 years of this pro- 
 gram of religious nurture for the generations of youth who experienced its program 
 and fellowship? The usually recognized method is that of statistics - always a 
 tedious procedure to any but special students. It is not the one we chose to follow 
 in these pages, which is primarily concerned with a life-process. In fact the data 
 for the technical method is far too fragmentary, at least from the Bryant era to be 
 useful. Although the annual budgets of most of the years mentioned are available, 
 it is of little value since attendance records are lacking. Against the regular annual 
 increases in budgets we must reckon with increases in university enrollment. How- 
 ever a few figures may be of interest: For the very first year, 1912-13, only $160 
 was contributed, in 1916-17, the year the new building came into use, the giving 
 was $819. Ten years later the total amount was $2051. The highest figure for any 
 one year during the 22 years was $2352. There was a similar increase in gifts to 
 the missionary advance of the denomination: from$10.00 the first years, the records 
 show $246 in 1931-32. These amounts to missions are probably the regular amount 
 from the weekly envelopes, not including the additional gifts from many adult givers, 
 who contributed on a quarterly basis. During the early years of Mr. Paul Alden's 
 ministry a general solicitation was made for a fund to make extensive changes in 
 the building, especially to increase the social facilities. A few figures are im- 
 portant from final reports on this fund: the treasurer of the fund, in 1939-40 stated 
 that to date a total of $17, 808 has been pledged, with only $639 still unpaid. Of 
 this large sum the alumni pledged $1423, which indicates the continuing, after - 
 college interest of those who had gone out from the Bryant training period. We shall 
 refer to this matter again later. 
 
 Out in the World's Life 
 
 It has been possible to follow, occasionally to visit, many of these active 
 young people out into the larger life beyond the campus years. These visits have 
 always brought a deep joy, to find them active and dependable lay-men and women 
 in the churches of the communities where they have settled, bringing up their chil- 
 dren in these churches, thus laying a sound character foundation for the next gener- 
 ation. This is especially true of those who, during their undergraduate years, found 
 their life -partners in the campus church. Toward the close of his life Mr. Bryant, 
 in answer to a question about these, stated that at least 50 new homes had thus been 
 established. As I glance over the record which he kept, that seems to be about the 
 number. From my collection of the "snap-shots" which so many of these have sent 
 back to me in recent years, I must share with all of you a few from these families. 
 They speak for themselves; no comments necessary. I am glad to be able to make 
 a brief report on the "second generation" as these began to return to the college of 
 their parents since the Bryant era. The first was Martha Broderson, who perhaps 
 cannot be regarded as of this group since her parents were always of the faculty 
 group while at campus. The real "second generationer" was William Garrett, en- 
 tering the fall of 1934. It was deep joy, mingled with heart-ache that I alone was 
 there to receive him, but so glad that I was there. A letter just received from 
 William reports that he is now a practicing physician in Sibley, Illinois. His par- 
 ents - Mr. and Mrs. Frank Garrett, have been and still live on their farm in Grant 
 Park, Illinois, since about 1933. Three of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Walworth 
 have been students at the university: Bryant (Where do you suppose he got that 
 name), Margaret, and Lois . As many of you will remember the Everett Young 
 family, further word should be added concerning the family. Everett's eldest, 
 Charlotte, was the first whom it was Mr. Bryant's privilege to baptize in 1928, a 
 
 -26- 
 
couple of years after the family returned from China in 1926. Charlotte was later 
 married in the church. 
 
 A special paragraph is needed to record those who have entered the special 
 callings of the church. Mention has been made of Alvin Fishman who is spending 
 his life in India. Alvin met in the church the girl he took to India with him - Lois 
 Rumsey. The Fishmans were married in Iowa, by Mr, Bryant, in 1917. Harry 
 Shewhart, after graduating from Rochester -Colgate Seminary began his ministry in 
 Illinois. Frank Lansing is now pastor of one of the Baptist Churches in Fort Wayne, 
 Indiana; Frank Partridge is a pastor in Roseville, Michigan. Mention must be 
 made of the Hobbses - Cecil and Cecile, who went into the foreign service of the 
 Church, in Burma; they made their escape from Burma just ahead of the Japanese 
 invasion during the last War, for their first furlough. 
 
 Space permits mention of far too few who are giving valuable service in 
 many professions. In medicine -we recall the following: Dr. Charles MacMillan, 
 located in Oak Park, Illinois; Dr. Kenneth Lewis, in Chicago, as is Dr. John 
 Orndorff and Gail Dack, who is, according to the information from indirect sources, 
 devoting his specialized training to medical research in Chicago; Dr. Everett 
 Seadorf, the last we knew, was located in Texas. Dr. Edgar Weir has long been a 
 successful physician in Atwood, Illinois. Elmore Petersen, who was with us for 
 only a brief graduate period, has been with the faculty at the University of Colorado, 
 Boulder ever since 1915, for the past several years as Dean of the College of Busi- 
 ness Administration. Professor Petersen died in 1959 in California where he had 
 retired. B. W. Fairbanks is likewise in chemical research work in Chicago. Ewart 
 Vandeveer in Ohio; Grant Dawson with one of the large tire firms in Akron, Ohio. 
 The News Sheet recently mailed out to many reports in more detail concerning the 
 on-going life of many more who are making their own contribution to the world's 
 life. The enthusiasm with which this venture has been received, the replies received 
 makes its own comment on the outcome of this special type of ministry to young 
 people during their college days. 
 
 We close this phase of our narrative with an illuminating experience of a 
 few years ago. While a guest in the home of one of "our boys" of the early years 
 in this state of Florida, he made an interesting reference to the curriculum in re- 
 ligious instruction, and related a personal experience of his own of recent years, 
 which is its own commentary on the experience he had while a student at Illinois . 
 He had taken his elder daughter to the campus of a Florida college to enter her as a 
 freshman. Among the various matters investigated before leaving the girl was the 
 local church which she would attend while there. Interviewing the pastor about stu- 
 dent Bible classes and courses in his church school, he described in some detail 
 the curriculum of the University Baptist Church, as he had known it; then asked 
 whether this local church would be able to provide his young daughter with some- 
 thing comparable. The minister, replying in the negative, elaborated by saying 
 that he did not know of any college, anywhere that could offer such a curriculum; 
 it was something new to him. Then this father turned tome and asked with appar- 
 ent surprise, "is it possible that such instruction as we had in our campus church 
 at Illinois is not found at other colleges?" 
 
 ■27- 
 
Nine THE MAN AND HIS MINISTRY 
 
 Readers of this narrative will no doubt appreciate an account of Mr. 
 Bryant's life. Perhaps, by way of introduction, an account written by a student of 
 the early '20's will best present him as his students saw and knew him through the 
 years. "A tall, thin man with just enough gray in his hair to command respect, 
 with eyes that twinkle, and a smile that instantly wins confidence --this is Martin 
 S. Bryant, Pastor of the University Baptist Church. " Mr. Bryant was born on a farm 
 near Warsaw, New York. His heritage is that of an old eastern family. His an- 
 cestry on his father's side can be traced back to Stephen Bryant, who was Constable 
 of Plymouth in 1632, twelve years after the landing of the Pilgrims. Tradition says 
 that he came from England in the Mayflower. This same Stephen Bryant was the 
 great, great grandfather of William Cullum Bryant. Mr. Bryant's mother came to 
 America from Wales when she was four years old. 
 
 "Mr. Bryant received his early education in a country school near Warsaw, 
 graduated from Warsaw High School, taught in a country school a term or two, 
 entered Colgate University, receiving both bachelor's and master's degrees and 
 completing a theological education before leaving that campus. 
 
 "The story of the University Baptist Church and the story of Mr. Bryant's 
 work in Champaign are the same. The Church was founded under his leadership. 
 When Mr. Bryant speaks of his life work, he becomes very enthusiastic. In ex- 
 plaining his love for it he says, 'I love the ministry for it is a profession that 
 draws upon every resource a man has; it is a profession that is constantly dealing 
 with personalities, and it is a work in which the world needs to be served most. I 
 am glad I am in it because thinking people today are less interested in the form of 
 religion and more interested in the vital message to present day life and its prob- 
 lems; because they are less interested in the traditional and more interested in the 
 modern conception of religion and the Bible; and because the hope of the world lies 
 in the application of the Christian message to life and Christian leadership. I am 
 glad I am here because I am dealing with young men and women at the most re- 
 sponsive period of their lives. " (By Blanche Kamra - now Mrs. Edgar Weir, Atwood, 
 Illinois, published in the ILLINI in 1923). 
 
 Martin S. Bryant was a young collegian when the writer of this narrative 
 first caught sight of him, - an erect, slightly built young man, with a calm, com- 
 manding presence. At the time when I first saw him he was sitting on the front row 
 in a young peoples' gathering in Hamilton, New York, where he was a student. Al- 
 though his name was unknown to me at the time, I was impressed by the immedi- 
 ate attention he commanded when he arose to speak. A few weeks later, while 
 calling on a young woman friend, three young students came to her door for an in- 
 formal Sunday afternoon call. I at once recognized the man who had lingered in 
 my memory of the meeting, and I learned his name was Martin Bryant. The calm 
 brown eyes, which twinkled and sparkled at times with a kindly humor, were a 
 distinctive feature of his expressive face. The long, firm upper lip dominating an 
 equally strong mouth, the shapely nose, high, broad forehead; altogether a face 
 suggestive of an intellect of a high order. In fact, the entire impression was of a 
 man of superior moral power. 
 
 During the months immediately ahead of his senior year in college, our 
 friendship increasingly deepened. The more I saw of him the more I was reminded 
 of an observation of Oliver Wendell Holmes, who once stated that there are people 
 with whom you talk half an hour and get a radius long enough to measure his entire 
 circumstances of their minds; then there is the occasional person whom you know 
 for years, and, with each succeeding chat get new and wider glimpses of the far 
 horizans of their intellectual lives. A person of the latter type proved to be the 
 quality of life and intellect which it was my privilege to know; his inner, spiritual 
 
 -28- 
 
life was an ever -expanding one. The depth and richness of his entire moral and 
 spiritual life was one of continuing growth; a many -dimensional personality. 
 
 Meanings, Values in His Ministry 
 
 The significance of Martin's contribution toward the development of one 
 of the meaningful movements of the present half -century may fittingly be presented 
 from statements of his co-workers at the Campus. From the Religious Workers 
 Association came these statements:- "As a campus pastor here for twenty-two 
 years, he had been an intimate friend of all of us and a valued counselor of the 
 young people of his church. One of the outstanding things which Martin did was 
 his program of religious education. This subject has never been mentioned at the 
 campus for years without a reference to the way he did it more successfully than 
 others. No other group ever dreamed of having seventy-five percent of its constit- 
 uency in Bible School for Sunday morning. In his personal conferences with the 
 students we all know how he won the hearts of a large group. They were loyal to 
 him and they knew that their whole religious life at the campus and for theyearsto 
 follow, must be different because of the teachings and counsel of their university 
 pastor". 
 
 A brief excerpt from the pen of Reverend Stephen Fisher, who alone of 
 all those who welcomed the youthful Bryant in 1912 remained near when he passed 
 on. "Brother Bryant had a genius for leadership. He was a master at laying wisely 
 his plans for religious and educational programs. . .He succeeded in interesting a 
 remarkable number of young people in his courses of study each year. That which 
 grew from modest beginnings has become a sort of pattern of work for leaders of 
 his denomination in similar situations the country over." 
 
 One Former Student's Tribute 
 
 Wrote one of his former students at the time of his passing - "The joy of 
 returning to my desk this week after a refreshing vacation all summer, was rudely 
 shocked by a little slip of paper contained among the accumulated mail. At first, 
 and as usual, it was a pleasure to see that familiar, friendly face, but on second 
 glance my heart was heavy as I read, Tn Memorium". It is just twenty years now, 
 almost to the day, since I first met Martin Bryant. What a flood of cherished 
 memories the simple, but beautiful notice of his passing has brought over me! I 
 am afraid I have never been able to tell him, or you, what you two people have 
 meant to me, for my words are inadequate to do so. You came into my life at a 
 critical time, unrealized as it was then by me. And through the years your in- 
 fluence has been ever present and sustaining. And how we shall miss him, com- 
 forted only by the consciousness of as perfect a life as humanity may merit. In a 
 quiet way, in a secluded place, as he taught us to do, I pay him tribute and give 
 thanks for his having been given to us for awhile." (From Elmore Petersen) 
 
 May we close this story of his life and contribution by one more brief 
 quotation from the pen of his able successor, Reverend Paul E. Alden - "The 
 University Baptist Church, its building, and more especially the living church which 
 does its varied work therein, is the abiding momument to Martin S. Bryant. Through 
 the years he planned and moulded its program, counselled and befriended generation 
 after generation of students, and sent out hosts of men and women whose effective 
 leadership in churches scattered widely over the land is eloquent testimony to their 
 training at his hands. " 
 
 We close the door of his ministry, as we open the gate for him whom 
 God, in His All -wise love and wisdom summoned to enter and carry forward the 
 lines which have become dear to the many generations of Baptist youth who have 
 
 -29- 
 
passed through the portals of this "Church beside the Campus". 
 
 "Once more we gather at the shrine we all so love, 
 In sweet communion with our God above; 
 Here things pure and lovely are the gems we seek to gain; 
 Pledges of allegiance form our soft refrain. 
 
 "Here Christian friendships of our lives are made a part; 
 Here Christian service choose we for out lot; 
 Here we stand united as we face our common task, 
 Serving Christ, the Master, faithful to the last. 
 
 "Fond memories lead us to the ones who've gone before 
 In yoeman service from shore to shore; 
 E'en beyond the ocean, loving, brave and bold 
 Are the sons and daughters nourished in thy folds. 
 
 "We'll love and serve thee, 
 And be loyal to thee too; 
 Sacred, dear and tender, 
 Our Church so true." M.S.B. 
 
 -30- 
 
Ten NEW LEADERSHIP 
 
 Choice and Call of Paul E. Alden 
 
 Among week-end guests visiting the University Baptist Church from time 
 to time was Reverend Paul E. Alden. Mr. Alden came to us as Candidate Secretary 
 of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society. There were three such visits 
 during the last years of Mr. Bryant's ministry. He came as guest speaker for the 
 annual "family" dinner. His ten years in the secretarial work, travelling over the 
 territory of the Northern Baptist Convention, visiting all denominational schools as 
 well as State Universities, provided him with a full, well-rounded background for 
 understanding and appreciation of student problems, interests and needs, plus a 
 complete knowledge of the approach of the church to the student world. Through 
 the acquaintanceships of these three visits he had captured the attention and inter- 
 est of the leaders in our group, adult and student alike. His name was therefore, 
 the first one suggested by members of the group as soon as machinery had been set 
 up to secure a successor to Mr. Bryant. 
 
 As a matter of information to former active students, the set-up of this 
 mechanism and procedures is briefly related here. It is a matter of interest to long- 
 time observers of student work, because of the manner in which the direct partici- 
 pation of students was recognized. Since there were three distinct, but related 
 organizations involved in and responsible for the on-going life of the church, each 
 was concerned with and entitled to a voice in the selection of leadership for the 
 University Baptist Church. The Board of Education for the Northern Baptist Conven- 
 tion was one of these, selected and authorized Dr. James Stiffler and Mrs. C. D. 
 Eulette, both of Chicago. The Board of Managers of the Illinois Baptist State Con- 
 vention appointed Dr. Herbert Hines of Springfield and Mrs. A. H. Ahlanius , 
 Bloomington, and the local church chose and authorized Professors E. G. Young 
 and B. W. Fairbanks, and John Quisenberry, newly elected President of the Student 
 Council. At the first meeting of the entire Committee in early June, 1934, an or- 
 ganization was completed, plans drawn and procedures established. Since the 
 three local members would be at Campus all summer, Mr. Fairbanks was voted 
 the Chairmanship with Professor Young as Secretary. One happy circumstance 
 should be mentioned in connection with this official procedure - namely the pres- 
 ence of Miss Frances Greenough, one of the Secretaries of the national Board of 
 Education, who was on her way to her home in Southern California for the summer. 
 It was a very real comfort and an invaluable help to all of us to have this keen, 
 calm, healing person with us for a week or so just at this moment, to give counsel 
 and guidance at a time of need. Since Dr. Padelford, national Executive Secretary 
 of the Board was on his way to Europe for a much needed rest, and Dr. Baker simi- 
 larly had gone to his summer home in a far corner of Maine, it meant much to have 
 Miss Greenough with us. 
 
 Only a few of the many details of the summer-long study and investiga- 
 tion of qualified candidates need to be mentioned here. Always the activities of 
 students is of special significance. Although the number of active students re- 
 maining for the summer session was small, it included some of the strongest, 
 most mature, finest minds and spirits of the entire church. Most fortunate that 
 John Quisenberry was included among these; his ability to weight fundamental fac- 
 tors and reach sound conclusions was of inestimable value. It is of special inter- 
 est to record the items felt by this student group to be basic - first and foremost a 
 high degree of spiritual sensitivity. They pointed out that the church had developed 
 this sensitivity through worship experiences, hence it was essential to safe-guard 
 this vital element. Repeated emphasis by individual students of this element indi- 
 cates the depth of rootage of this highest achievement in individual and group 
 
 -31- 
 
religious life. It was also deemed advisable to secure a man with as much pre- 
 vious experience in college religious work as possible. At the same time they 
 desired a man young enough to insure another long-time pastorate, but mature 
 enough to have a background for soundness of judgment. Not an easy task it will 
 be admitted, to find such a combination in one person. 
 
 Omitting further details of the obstacles met and overcome in securing 
 Mr. Alden, whom it was felt combined all of these important qualifications, the 
 local group assumed major responsibility in action, in order, if possible to have 
 a new leader on hand when school opened in September, and thereby avoid any 
 break in the major work. With the return of the student body in early September it 
 was possible to announce that Reverend Paul E. Alden of Franklin, Indiana, had 
 accepted the pastorate and would be with the church by early October, the earliest 
 date possible for him to close his work with that church. The adult and student 
 leaders alike rallied to the difficult situation confronting the church and again put 
 their shoulders to the wheel about the remaining member of the Bryant team during 
 the waiting interval. Thus the opening of the work in the fall proceeded as plan- 
 ned in the last Spring. The writer's continuing relation to the on -going program 
 may be of interest to Bryant alumni. From a letter to Mr. Starr, the Church Clerk, 
 from the State Superintendent, Dr. A. E. Peterson, we quote - "The Executive 
 Committee of the State Convention at its meeting yesterday voted to request Mrs. 
 Bryant to take charge of the work at the University thereby permitting us to pay her 
 the full salary which would otherwise have gone to Mr. Bryant had he lived." Thus 
 it came about that we remained on duty until the latter part of October to allow 
 time for Mr. Alden to take over and get settled in the new position. 
 
 Suffice it to add, in concluding this section, that the years that have 
 passed since the eventful summer of 1934 have increasingly confirmed the original 
 conviction concerning the choice made that Mr. Alden and his fine family were 
 God's own choice for the vital work at a strategic center of youth. 
 
 A Period of Observation and Survey 
 
 Under the circumstances described above, it was unavoidable that the 
 program for the fall semester, as outlined during the preceding Spring, should be 
 carried through with the new leader a silent listener. Following former practices, 
 the B. Y.P.U. forum topics, with leaders, the courses of instruction for the morn- 
 ing classes with teachers as selected should go ahead as planned. A few excerpts 
 from letters from his pen, received during this his first year provide much insight 
 into his observations, experiences and conclusions. 
 
 In as much as he began his first year under a handicap so far as the 
 freshmen group was concerned, his first considerations were given to methods to 
 draw the new-comers into the church life. Early in November, after scarcely more 
 than five weeks of observation he wrote that he had come to the conclusion that he 
 should take over the freshman Bible class the second semester. "lam coming 
 more and more to feel", he wrote, "that I do not want to miss the opportunity for 
 closer contact with this year's new students which this class affords." Again as 
 to methods of attempting to recover freshmen, "We followed through your sugges- 
 tion that the new students who have not yet become regular and active be given, as 
 permanent assignments, to some of the members of the older group. John 
 Quisenberry and I selected this group, then Ruth Fisher and Will Duna worked with 
 me in the actual assignment, which was done according to proximity of residence. 
 Forty students were asked to take this responsibility. All but thirteen have come 
 in, in response to cards mailed to them about the matter, and none of those who 
 have come have demurred. Mrs. Alden and I are repeatedly impressed by the wil- 
 lingness with which so many take responsibility and the dependable way in which 
 
 -32- 
 
they carry it out. This is in utter contrast to my experience with students elsewhere. 
 On both of the Sundays since students have had these lists the results have been 
 apparent. For example, yesterday Earl Lutz brought the four boys he had been 
 asked to follow up. " 
 
 Changes Made 
 
 Another innovation was made during the first semester which became a 
 permanent feature of the Sunday evening program. He wrote, "just before Thanks- 
 giving we instituted suppers preceding B.Y.P.U. The most noteworthy results are 
 (1) a larger evening attendance, (2) bringing out in the evening some who did not 
 formerly come, (3) giving work responsibility to a number of persons who have had 
 little before, (4) serves a fine purpose in the social life of the group. Pearl Buzy 
 is chairman of the committee in charge, with Helen Roberts and Catherine White 
 to oversee the suppers." 
 
 New Plans for Expansion 
 
 Need for enlarging the social and recreational facilities of the building 
 had been fully recognized for several years preceding Mr. Alden's coming, and 
 some thinking had been done. Then came the "depression" of the early '30's, 
 with its train of serious economic factors; all thought for additional funds must 
 need be shelved for the time being. But these needs were forced into the foreground 
 early in the Alden administration, especially by pressure from the student group. 
 First, they began by adding game equipment such as ping pong tables set up in the 
 old dining-room. Gradually other similar facilities were added, until the room be- 
 came over -crowded. His letters concerning these recreational additions indicate 
 the manner in which they were being used to bring groups together in a vital fellow- 
 ship setting, just to play together. It seems that the emergence of an enlargement 
 plan for the increasing social features came into the fore in a rather unexpected 
 manner. "You know, of course, that there was a committee to plan a suitable 
 memorial for Mr. Bryant," He wrote me, "At what seemed to be an appropriate 
 time I expressed the hope that any memorial that might be planned should be in 
 such form as to have life and usability. The matter now being discussed with 
 seriousness is the possibility of excavating the basement and making a room or 
 rooms there which would bear the name 'Bryant Memorial Room'." Thus the mat- 
 ter of enlargement came forward and soon took definite direction. As to another 
 matter in connection with the "memorial" idea he wrote, "I feel that neither of 
 these matters - a Memorial and a portrait of the founder should be greatly delayed 
 . . .1 am eager, and I know that there is a considerable body of feeling with me, 
 that the name and personality (of Mr. Bryant) be kept vibrant in the life and mem- 
 ory of the church. . . " 
 
 Organizational plans to handle all phases of a re -modelling enterprise 
 consisted in setting up three committees --a Student Building Committee, a Church 
 Building Committee, and a Treasurer of Building Funds. From the letters one brief 
 detail is most interesting: "On the initiative of John Quisenberry an attempt is to 
 be made in the immediate future to enlist students in voluntary labor. For the 
 boys this would involve the actual work of getting a substantial part of the dirt 
 moved out of the basement. For the girls, checking the alumni lists at the Alumni 
 office, and help in the preparation of mailing material. " On the Fall Bulletins for 
 the next three years the names of Chairmen of the Student Building Committee 
 appear as regular members of the Student Council: Robert W. Gehring, J. Lloyd 
 Anderson and G. Raymond Dunn. The Church Building Committee, likewise, 
 E. G. Young, Mrs. H. R. Wanless, Harriet Watt, E. P. Gaston, H. A. Ritcher, 
 
 -33- 
 
Robert Gehring, Lyle Kerley and James Stewart. The Treasurer of the fund was 
 H. A. Ritcher. 
 
 A state -wide solicitation for funds began during the second year of Mr. 
 Aiden's ministry- -1935-36. Finally a man from outside the state was selected to 
 come into the state for the actual solicitation work; Reverend Floyd L. Carr from 
 one of the National Societies was selected and took over the work. In the late fall 
 of 1935 the first serious effort was made to secure the first pledges from the local 
 group thus to launch the Fund-raising enterprise. This initial effort resulted in a 
 total of 63 pledges, and $242. Of this amount 51 of the pledges were from the 
 students, with $195 in amount. A little later there were added 24 pledges from 
 alumni, $199, from parents of students and other, totalling altogether $1673. In 
 time the number of students, active and former, increased to 87, with $441.60 as 
 gifts from these sources. 
 
 Building Changes Underway 
 
 The two academic years of 1936-38 were devoted to this task, - the 
 fund-raising campaign, and the remodelling enterprise itself, along with other ex- 
 panding features of the program. The remodelling itself proceeded slowly due to 
 establishment of a sound business principle that they would complete only as there 
 was actual cash on hand to pay for it, that is, a pay-as-we-go basis. In January 
 of 1936 there appeared in the ILLINOIS BAPTIST NEWS a picture of the students 
 actually at work excavating the basement; in connection with this statement, Mr. 
 Alden wrote that "the students have donated 230 hours of labor. . .Funds for neces- 
 sary equipment and truck-hire were provided by the students and two unsolicited 
 gifts from parents of students. This student-initiated enterprise, together with the 
 response in pledges are truly 'vital statistics' of student interest." The proposed 
 changes were designed to enlarge and improve the facilities of every phase of the 
 church life, except the worship and religious education facilities, for which satis- 
 factory rooms were already available. 
 
 ■34- 
 
Eleven PROGRAM EXPANSION 
 Re -Dedication 
 
 By the fall of 1940 the remodelling program had been sufficiently com- 
 pleted to warrant laying plans for a re -dedication service in connection with the 
 annual "Home -coming" week-end at campus in October. Former students living 
 near enough to visit campus and church during the years since this new work was 
 completed have enjoyed seeing the changes made, the enrichment given by new 
 furniture and increased social facilities. Other readers of this account, living too 
 far away for return visits may appreciate a brief description of these changes. The 
 parlor on first floor, with which all former students have long been familiar, has 
 been enlarged by removal of partitions, throwing into the room the two cloak-rooms 
 on the west side. The old sliding doors, removed and replaced with a wide arch- 
 way, thus making the former dining room a seeming extension of the parlor, but 
 really a reading room. With a substantial magazine rack, a large reading table, 
 which can also be used for writing or study, the rear room combines the substantial 
 with the artistic. In its entirety the new spaciousness, furnishings, draperies, 
 portraits create a suggestion of elegance combined with simplicity that is both 
 restful and cultural. Special tribute is due Mrs. Charles Atwood and the late Miss 
 Marie Anderson, who served as furnishing committee, for the careful, studied 
 manner inwhich this artistic result was accomplished. This room which was chosen 
 as the "Bryant Memorial Room", symbolically ties together the two pastorates in- 
 to a unity of fellowship for which we are all profoundly grateful. 
 
 The large basement room, which while in process of excavation was 
 dubed by the boy-laborers, as the "glory hole" is now the recreation center of the 
 building. Here, with a well-lighted stage are adequate facilities for amateur dra- 
 matics. A carefully planned kitchen in the rear provides for all types of dining 
 affairs, large banquets, adult -group dinners or Sunday evening "candle-light sup- 
 pers" - fund mingled with fellowship, symbol of a living Fellowship that lingers on 
 in the memories of all active participants for the remainder of their lives. 
 
 A few interesting statements which appeared in the annual report of the 
 Pastor for the year 1939-40, which indicate the finance status of the enterprise at 
 that date. A total of $17, 808 had been pledged of which all but $639 had been paid 
 into the Fund treasury. "This represents four years of work within the church, and 
 three years in which active solicitation has been conducted in the state at large 
 and among alumni of the church. . . .There is now in the treasury over $900. . . It is 
 anticipated that payment of out -standing pledges and gifts from solicitation still to 
 be done will make it possible to do all the essential items before the fall of 1940. " 
 
 The only statement relative to the climax to this effort cames from a 
 regular Sunday Bulletin in October, indicating that the re -dedication service took 
 place at Homecoming, October 27, 1940. The formal unveiling of the Bryant por- 
 traits occurred immediately following the regular worship service on that occasion 
 in the new Bryant Room, followed by a Dedication Dinner in the new recreation room. 
 
 After Twenty -five Years 
 
 In the fall of 1937, October 31st to be exact, a special birthday observance was 
 held in the Church tocommerate 25 years of service by the University Baptist Church. 
 For the special program on that Day, designated as a "Service on Commemoration of 
 the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Founding of the Church", the Founder's picture 
 was used on the front page. Those from the larger Fellowship present and taking 
 part were Reverend Floyd Carr, solicitor of the Fund, Dr. A. E. Peterson, State 
 Superintendent, and Reverend Guy H. Wimmer of Bloomington. The sermon by the 
 
 -35- 
 
pastor is remembered for its uniqueness - "Roses in December". The "Family 
 Dinner", held in the new dining room, although still unfinished, followed the 
 morning service. Among those who contributed to the merriment of the occasion 
 as well as to "memories" were Reverend Charles Bromley of the Urbana Church, 
 Reverend Stephen Fisher of University Place Christian Church, Mrs. Eulette of the 
 National Board of Education, and Mrs. Bryant who was at the time living in Evanston. 
 Our own Everett Young served as toastmaster. 
 
 High -spots of Achievement 
 
 The remodelling enterprise completed, the Pastor felt that thetim/?bad 
 come and conditions warranted undertaking another project but on the human side. 
 For nearly thirty years the program of the church had been directed by one trained 
 person with the help of wife only. In addition to the pulpit ministry, the pastor had 
 been the Shepherd of the flock, director and guide of the student program and re- 
 ligious education, mostly his own stenographer, filing clerk, et cetera, ad infinitum. 
 
 There had been times through the years, when resources permitted, for 
 some part-time help, especially with pastoral duties as well as clerical work. 
 Praise and commendation are due those faithful young women, all of whom had 
 gone through the program as undergraduate students, for the splendid yoeman ser- 
 vice they rendered in this capacity. Naming these in the order of their service - 
 late Mrs. Amy Weir Bauer, Mrs. Virginia Miller Rice, Mrs. Helen Gaston Griffen 
 and Mrs. Ava Washburn Fritts. This group of women reinforced in a remarkable 
 way the efforts of the minister's wife in calling on, and in other social ways, the 
 young women students enrolled. But in justice to the work, with the annually in- 
 creasing enrollment of Baptist youth, the time had come for a full-time worker to 
 be added to the staff. With the full sanction of the State Superintendent, Mr. 
 Alden quietly began a solicitation for additional funds outside the local group to 
 help finance such an undertaking. Likewise he began sounding out individuals dur- 
 ing the same year, with encouraging results. During the year of 1940-41, with 
 sufficient additional funds available to launch the enterprise, he began in earnest 
 the search for a suitable person. The selection finally narrowed down to one young 
 woman, Miss Helen Warwick from Wisconsin. Her training, especially in the field 
 of secretarial work, fitted her for the work needed. Miss Warwick began her work 
 in the fall of 1941, and, although she did not remain long (she was married the 
 next summer) she laid the ground work for a Counsellor and Pastor's Assistant which 
 has continued to the present time. 
 
 Several new features were added to the student program, made possible 
 by the enlarged facilities provided by the remodelling work. Religious dramatics 
 became a regular feature, with a full Department and Head in the Student Council. 
 Such plays as "The Rock", "The Bishop's Candlesticks", "The Terrible Meek" and 
 others are listed on Bulletins from time to time. 
 
 A Department of Recreation appears as another new feature, which de- 
 fines its function as "responsibility for the supervision of the reading room, lounge 
 and recreational facilities throughout the week, by using volunteer help (student), 
 plan use of all facilities, including tournaments and arrange for participation in the 
 intramural program at the campus . These features indicate that the building was 
 brought into use seven days of the week. 
 
 Other additions to the program are indicated by such new departments as 
 "Candle-Light Suppers", "Alumni Relations", "Publicity", "Social Service" and 
 "Deputation". It was noted that in the spring of 1942 the Student Council as elected 
 for the next year named fourteen Department Chairmen, in addition to the Head 
 Usher. In the fall of 1940 the Publicity Department attempted a "News Sheet" which 
 they chose to name "Uni Bap Echo". On one of these "Sheets" we noted another 
 
 -36- 
 
interesting development sponsored by the Department of Devotional Life, "Matins, 
 Wednesday Morning at 7:25, Mrs. Alden." This experiment proved successful be- 
 yond expectation, hence has continued as a regular feature. This Department also 
 attends to the distribution of the monthly devotional publication, "The Upper Room, " 
 and during the Lenten Season, "The Fellowship of Prayer. " 
 
 Educational Research 
 
 A significant and important research study was undertaken during the year 
 of 1938-39, sponsored by the Department of Religious Education with James Sample 
 as Chairman. A Questionnaire was formulated and mailed to the resident student 
 group, both those regularly as well as irregularly, attending the instructional pro- 
 gram. This included many simple details, such as the time of class meetings, 
 interest, and a fairly inclusive list of subject matter courses. Attendance at even- 
 ing meetings was included in this exploratory survey. 
 
 From the final summary of findings we note that of the 159 questionnaires 
 sent out, there were 66 returns. These returns were regarded as fairly representative 
 of students "who are really interested in the work and program of the church activi- 
 ties." Out of the 14 courses of study listed, six received adverse votes. From 
 not regularly attending classes marked interest was expressed for "Religious and 
 Personal Problems of Youth". Of the regular attendants, marked interest was in- 
 dicated in the "Life and Teachings of Jesus", as well as other Biblical courses. 
 A further analysis of the students who made up the congregation there were more 
 graduate students interested in Religious Education than was shown by any of the 
 other undergraduate class groups. It was of special interest to note that out of the 
 66 who returned questionnaires, 61 had been regular Church School attendants in 
 their home churches. From this study a new schedule of courses to be offered in 
 the future was set up thus: 
 
 "First Year - (Freshmen) - Personal Problems of Youth, 
 
 Religious Problems of Youth; 
 Second Year - (Sophomore) - New Testament 
 
 Old Testament (Making and Meaning) 
 Third Year - (Juniors) - Life and Teachings of Jesus, 
 
 History of the Church 
 Fourth Year - (Seniors) - Living Religions of the World, 
 
 Method of Teaching Religion. 
 A recommendation which came from the Group conducting this study was that in 
 order to get the interest and cooperation of new as well as old students another year, 
 that one of the very first B.Y.P. U. meetings be turned over to the Religious Educa- 
 tion Department, so that the plan could be carefully outlined. It was also stressed 
 by the report that more individual attention be given to students in regard to class 
 attendance. 
 
 Worship in the Church 
 
 Quoting from a pamphlet written and published by Mr. Alden in 1936-37, 
 "The program centers around the Sunday Morning Worship service. The congrega- 
 tion gathers in the simple but beautiful room on the second floor, which is used 
 only for worship purposes. Through the most worshipful service possible, the 
 church counts it a duty not only to provide means for regular worship, but to train 
 its students in the practice of worship. By periods of silent meditation, by wor- 
 shipful music from the volunteer choir, by bringing the eternal truths of God to bear 
 upon student life and problems, the Church endeavors to make His Way of Life 
 vital and challenging. " Thus has been passed on one of the finest traditions of the 
 Church. 
 
 -37- 
 
Christian Community at the Campus 
 
 This statement appears in one of the church publications of the decade 
 of the '40' s - "A tradition of deep significance has grown up in the last few years 
 around the monthly Campus Matins in which students from all the campus churches 
 and the Christian Associations cooperate". This refers to the development of a 
 campus -wide student organization known as "The Student Religious Council", - a 
 natural out -growth of the years -old "Religious Workers Association". This new 
 student group developed the morning matins services, meeting monthly i n one or 
 the other of the churches, around the breakfast table, with a brief worship service, 
 terminating in time for reaching eight o'clock classes. One reference to the activi- 
 ties of this group states that a campus -wide study was set up to consider recon- 
 struction after the war. This group of Christian student leaders also took an active 
 part in and responsibility for definite features of the Religious Emphasis Week at 
 campus, at which time notable national and international religious workers were 
 the leading figures, such as Dr. T. Z. Koo of China, Dr. E. Stanley Jones, George 
 Sherwood Eddy, Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick. The deep significance of this develop- 
 ment meant that Christian students in the various churches came to realize the 
 stabilizing force of their united presence at a large state university, in which re- 
 ligion often seems to be a side-line affair. 
 
 Some Student Leaders 
 
 The Student Council of 1935-36 (see Plate XVII) is in session for its 
 regular monthly meeting in the parlor of the church. Will Dunn, President, sits at 
 the table with Beula McKay the secretary. Opposite, and facing Will sits Richard 
 S. "Dick" Hudson, Director of the Orchestra. Others you will recognize - you of 
 those years -are Hiram Lesar, Julia Henderson, Carolyn Strubinger, Letha Jontz, 
 Margaret Dickson, Dorothy Snyder, Bobbye Schmidt, Pearl Busey, Mary Roberts, 
 J. Lloyd Anderson, Carroll Dunn and M. J. Williams. This was the group which 
 was carrying an especially heavy load since it was during their college generation 
 that the remodelling work was carried on. Others who made equally large contri- 
 butions toward "the living church" were Warren Dugan, R. E. Youngren, Max Akin 
 (these three were really casualities of the late war), Carl W. Knox, Ray Fox, 
 Raymond Dunn, Ruth Montgomery, Ruth Fisher, Helen and Juan it a Berger and the 
 Alden girls - Patricia, Alice and Mary. A few of the "second generation" are num- 
 bered among these leaders - Bryant Walworth, Lois Walworth, William Garrett 
 come to mind among these; John and Howard Wakeland - sons of Fred and Florence 
 Wakeland; and Paul Trovillion and his brother, Paul, like his parents following the 
 first World War, returned to campus with his wife and one small child, making a 
 notable contribution toward the church life. 
 
 Some "Vital Statistics " 
 
 A campus wide study was made during the year of 1941-42 of student 
 religious preferences. This study included, not alone that year, but also a five- 
 year period from 1937 to and including 1941-42. We extract from the report of this 
 analysis the Baptist figures only, that is, of church preferences: - 
 
 1937-38 1938-39 1939-40 1940-41 1941-42 
 
 647 672 664 607 573 
 
 percent 84.4 85.0 84.5 
 
 A percentage statement concerning all registered students is likewise interesting. 
 To this writer this study is interesting from the viewpoint of comparison. A simi- 
 lar study was made during the early years of the '20's yielding about the same 
 
 -38- 
 
percentages; that is, the percentage of all students registered in the university who 
 were members of some Christian church was around 85%. A report of the Pastor for 
 1939-40 included some interesting figures: the average attendance at Worship for 
 that year was 201, compared with a six -year average of 185. The B. Y.P.U. aver- 
 age for the same year was 56 compared with a 6 -year average of 58; Baptist prefer - 
 ancefor that year was 664. This indicates that nearly one -third of Baptist preference 
 students were in attendance at services. 
 
 In the matter of giving, which provides another criteria for estimating 
 student -response to the program, annual reports give the total amount of $3, 161 for 
 the same year, namely 1939-40, with a gift to the budget of the Northern Baptist 
 Convention of $600. This particular year seems to be the high peak of the twenty- 
 year period, up to this date. Alumni gifts toward remodelling, $2, 885. 
 
 Outcomes and Philosophy 
 
 Records indicate that the Church continues to send out to the churches of 
 the land young men and women who are making their own contributions to church 
 life everywhere. In its on-going life at campus the same principles are recognized 
 and practiced of providing opportunities for broadening visions through experiences 
 with wider horizans, such as, students going to the summer assemblies (in 1939, 7at 
 East Bay Camp), nine from the church at the Baptist Youth Conference, meeting at 
 Granville, Ohio, the same winter. One student at a planning conference of the Stu- 
 dent Volunteer for foreign service, Toronto, Canada. Another outcome of real sig- 
 nificance, it was reported that there were two young men who had volunteered for 
 foreign service. 
 
 From a pamphlet written and published by the pastor about 1939 comes a 
 section "What are the results?" in which basic questions are brought to the fore. 
 "Is this the answer today to the problem of religious training accompanying secular 
 education?" "Do those who come from our state unversity of Illinois have their 
 lives deeply enriched through "the church beside the campus?" 
 
 A student in the graduate school provides one answer which is represen- 
 tative of the majority: "In all my college and university courses, I have yet to find 
 one that I would trade, hour for hour, for my courses in religious education that I 
 have had the privilege of taking in the University Baptist Church. The college stu- 
 dent in his university courses finds his conception of the v/orld enlarging and ex- 
 panding, and if his religious concepts remain narrow and dwarfed, pretty soon he 
 outgrows them. But the courses I had at University Baptist enlarged my religious 
 horizans so that I could see the conflicts of science and religion fading into insig- 
 nificance as I approach nearer His Presence, as it was revealed in my study of His 
 Word. " Does not this student statement answer the question above raised? 
 
 The homogeneity of the college group, with its common interests, makes 
 possible a directed religious training. University students make mind-shaking dis- 
 coveries of the truths of the universe. These need interpretation in terms of the 
 eternal truths of God and the spirit of man who "does not live by bread alone". The 
 church beside the campus provides a work -shop in which to work out and train stu- 
 dents in the discovery of these eternal truths. Hence those who have been close to 
 our church have long felt that this method is the answer to religious training at a 
 large university. "Long ago this church and others like it have passed from the ex- 
 perimental stage into the period of proven worth. One who recently joined the 
 alumni group of the church expressed the feeling of the alumni when he says "It is 
 no exaggeration to say that I never loved any church as I do this one. " In conclus- 
 ion may I add that, as I close this brief review of the Alden era, its contributions 
 to a total life process is one of increasing enrichment and depth. 
 
 When, in January 1942, Paul Alden was striken with a body -crippling 
 
 -39- 
 
illness from which there is rarely a complete recovery, the entire church was 
 stunned. Every effort was put forth to allow time for recovery, to "hold the fort", 
 in the vain hope that he might in time be able to resume where he left off. It was 
 reliably, but confidentially, reported that a thoughtful adult once attempted to warn 
 Mr. Alden that he was dangerously spending his energies, to which he replied that 
 he would go forward along this line if it took all he had. It should be added that 
 the men and women who consecrate their all to the Lord's enterprise are expend- 
 able. To borrow a Biblical figure; the Master once asked of His twelve "Are ye 
 able to drink of my cup?" "We are able, " came the prompt reply. And He added, 
 "Ye shall indeed drink of my cup. " 
 
 "Are ye able, " said the Master, 
 "To be crucified with me?" - 
 "Yes, " the sturdy dreamers answered, 
 "To the death we follow Thee. " 
 
 •40- 
 
Twelve The Fourth Decade 
 
 The decade of the forties began under the dark, lowering clouds of the 
 late War; In addition there were the clouds of grief and confusion because of the 
 serious health condition of the leader. The disintegrations of the war and post-war 
 years can only be realized by those who have been through just such an experience 
 at a college campus. In the case of our church, in addition to these were the effects 
 of frequent changes in leadership. Disrupting as such experiences are in old, es- 
 tablished churches where there are usually experienced mature lay leaders, in an 
 organization where the constituency is also changing the problem is increased many 
 fold. Taken all together the post-war changes were of such a nature as to retard 
 recovery. In spite of these difficult factors the decade as a whole records notable 
 achievements of abiding worth. 
 
 The Meditation Chapel 
 
 The most significant perhaps of these developments was that of a special 
 shrine set apart for personal and small group meditation and worship. The room 
 selected for this purpose was naturally the large third floor class room, used for so 
 many years by Mr. Bryant as Bible school class room for his large group of fresh- 
 men. The separateness of this room lent itself perfectly, insuring against any in- 
 terruption from the outside. The Matin meditations of earlier years had become a 
 well established, appreciated feature of program. The cost of re -furnishing it for 
 the proposed purpose was not too burdensome; some of the heaviest items were 
 assumed by a member of the adult group who requested anonimity. The picture of 
 the altar, with candles, picture of the Christ, Bible, and at the side the lectern; 
 attractively carpeted floor, making for silence. The entire simple, artistic effect 
 is the finest kind of symbol of that which is the heart of a church's ministry: mak- 
 ing the Divine Presence felt as a reality in human experience. The room changes 
 did not in any way interfere with its use as a class room, if desired; instead it en- 
 hanced its value for the teaching function in the ministry to young people. The 
 altar is a beautiful memorial to one whose loving devotion and loyalty to the church, 
 and its eternal message, one whose gifts, talents and time find a climactic ex- 
 pression here - Miss Marie Anderson of the Art faculty. The fly-leaf of the altar 
 Bible bears a message - her final message, faintly uttered with the last words of 
 her earthly life; 
 
 "In presenting this Bible to the University 
 Baptist Church, I do so with these thoughts 
 in mind: 'Thou wilt show me the path of 
 life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; 
 at Thy right hand are pleasures forever - 
 more."' 
 
 Marie Anderson 
 
 The Veterans Return 
 
 As soon as the War closed, the men in the blue and the khaki reappeared 
 at college campuses all over the land, determined to resume where they left off. 
 First a small trickle in the fall of 1945 which so quickly increased to flood-propor- 
 tions that every agency at the campus was overwhelmed. There was one noticeable 
 difference between this and the first World War in that the flood of men at this time 
 brought also a heavy tide of young families. Not less than half of the returning 
 veterans brought wives and small children. The problems confronting the religious 
 ministries was thereby increased four -fold; among them were teen-agers direct 
 
 -41 
 
from the high schools, then the veterans whose experiences had matured them far 
 beyond their years, then the young families needing guidance in the re-establish- 
 ment of good family relationships, and finally the little tots. The social problems 
 were at once apparent to adult campus leaders. The experience of these diverse 
 college men, especially for the inexperienced teen-agers, showed up in a complete 
 divergence of interests, resulting in a natural cleavage between the two groups of 
 men students. This meant separate group gatherings for social functions. The 
 gradually unfolding plans at our church to meet this double problem proved to be of 
 unusual excellence and of such a nature as to make a contribution of permanent 
 life -long values to the on -going life of veterans families. 
 
 Under the leadership and continuing guidance of two well -equipped 
 women - Mrs. William (Ruby) Clark and Mrs. Luella Whelan, a first step was to 
 develop a nursery and kindergarten for the tots in the recreational room. These two 
 women from the public school system of the city brought a wealth of material and 
 equipment to this enterprise. In undertaking the enterprise, it made necessary a 
 calling campaign which of itself was of incalculable worth. As a result of this effort 
 the young parents organized a Young Adult Fellowship which worked out its own 
 program, and in addition, made a remarkable contribution toward the total program 
 of the church. 
 
 While visiting one summer during these years this writer was deeply im- 
 pressed by the activities and contribution being made by this group. They were 
 really carrying on the services while the pastor was away on vacation for a month 
 or so and doing it with such profound reverence. There was more than one young 
 man in the group who proved himself entirely capable of stepping into the pulpit, 
 conducting the worship and delivering a helpful message. This young adult Fellow- 
 ship, during the summer months, held weekly picnics following the morning worship 
 service, either in some nearby park or in the garden of some faculty members. Dur- 
 ing the regular school year this group met regularly at 7:30 Sunday evenings for its 
 own discussion meetings and worship, while the student Fellowship (the Roger 
 Williams Fellowship as it was called at that time) held a similar meeting at an 
 earlier hour. 
 
 Organization and Program Changes 
 
 During this decade (that of the xourth), the B. Y.P.U. gives way first to 
 the Roger Williams Fellowship, then the Baptist Student Fellowship. Thus the two 
 Fellowships, with regular Sunday evening meetings and separate social gatherings 
 continued to function as long as there were veterans' families at campus. The 
 long -established family group, the Women's Society, with it's program of regular 
 monthly meetings and occasional family suppers, continued, to which the young 
 veterans' families also made their contribution. 
 
 Religious Education Curriculum 
 
 The significance of the instructional program of earlier years has been 
 described in earlier chapters of this narrative and its worth attested: the gradual 
 recovery of this most important feature has proven most gratifying. Beginning with 
 one small Bible study group under the leadership of the pastor, Reverend Paul 
 Offenhiser, followed later by the formation of a veteran's family Bible class under 
 the leadership of Mrs. Clyde Hobart; then gradually other courses were added. 
 On one of the regular Sunday bulletins during these years we note an increasing 
 number of study classes; we note the names of the teachers as Mrs. Hobart, Mr. 
 J. J. Myers, George Cates, Verma Voltz and Jean Mangan. The name of the latter 
 also appears as a full-time member of the staff under title of Student Director. 
 
 -42- 
 
Other names mentioned as teachers are Mrs. George Cates, Mrs. Roy Dial, Mrs. 
 Walter Duda, Mrs. Elliot and Marvel, Mrs. Luella Whelan, Mr. and Mrs. Albert 
 Stanley . 
 
 Widening Horizans 
 
 The campus -wise Student Religious group made a fast come-back after 
 the War emphasizing the Christian Community at Campus and the re-establishing 
 of the monthly Matin services. Then our student group was soon affiliating with 
 and taking part in The Baptist Youth Congress, then the Illinois Baptist Student 
 Convocations (the latter usually held annual meetings a week-end after Christmas) 
 with a program of speakers of State and National leaders. The Illinois Baptist 
 Student Commission representing five Illinois colleges, and universities held regu- 
 lar meetings. On the national level, our church was soon taking part, sending 
 delegations to a national youth conference at a new national center on Green Lake, 
 Wisconsin, where the National Baptist Convention purchased the spacious property 
 of the late Victor Lawson, redesigned it for large gatherings. As in former years 
 our local student Fellowship took part in such national and international programs 
 as Religious Emphasis Week, World Communion Day - one of which was explora- 
 tory study under the leadership of the famed world evangelist, E. Stanley Jones, 
 who first visited the Illinois campus in the fall of 1948 in an effort to enlist all 
 religious denominations to face the world united. 
 
 An exceptional emphasis is noted on a church bulletin in 1951 concerning 
 a legislative seminar for college students, conducted by the denominational "Council 
 of Christian Social Progress". Several delegates were sent to our national capital, 
 Washington, D. C, for this seminar, where they had aclose-up view of our national 
 Congress, as well as other government agencies in action. 
 
 Girls' Residence Hall 
 
 The latest, in point of time, in new developments, is the opening of a 
 co-operative residence hall for Baptist girls. A comfortable and quite adequate 
 house for the project became available next door to the church building - a former 
 fraternity house left behind by the growth of fraternal organizations at campus. The 
 study made by Mr. Tangent, pastor at this time, as he continued his observations 
 of a rapidly changing campus, came to the conclusion that such an organization was 
 much needed for the woman -life of Baptist girls as well as expansion of church facili- 
 ties to minister to students, especially to the life development of the women of the 
 church. To provide a working group and organization, especially as a fund-raising 
 method, an organization was set up under the title "The Baptist Student Center Ex- 
 pansion Commission", with that long-time faithful member of the Church, Mr. 
 Charles W. Atwood, as Chairman. (See Plate XXV). The purchase of this house 
 was made during the school year of 1948-49, with an advance of cash for a down 
 layment of $5, 000; the total purchase price, including furnishings to be $38, 000. 
 I presume many of my readers will remember the informing brochure which was dis- 
 tributed in the interest of this enterprise. A letter of that summer from one of the 
 alumni, a student of the Bryant era, Mr. Cleo A. Williams, stated that he handled 
 the legal angle of the enterprise whereby a Foundation was incorporated as the 
 "Baptist Student Foundation" at the University of Illinois. It appears such a legally 
 constituted structure is a required organism to hold title to property, both real estate 
 and endowment funds . 
 
 Dr. Walter Woodbury of the Northern Baptist Convention, visiting the 
 church about this time, after looking over the physical facilities, is quoted as say- 
 ing, "I haven't seen anything like this anywhere in the Northern Baptist territory". 
 
 -43- 
 
During the summer of 1950, while visiting in the home of one of the girls who, in 
 the mid -twenties, was one of the ten Baptist girls who lived in the first house for 
 our girls - Hasseltine House, (see Plate IV) remarked to me that she was contri- 
 buting regularly toward this enterprise because she was aware how much that House 
 meant to her personally. I can witness to this statement; It has been one of the 
 interesting facts that some of those ten girls have continued their interest in each 
 other and maintained their friendship down through the years since - life -long 
 friendship. How meaningful is such an outcome! 
 
 Some Vital Statistics 
 
 A report of the church treasurer, J. O. Smith, which is very revealing of 
 the vital energy and depths of the church especially for Missions: 
 From the regular budget $ 900.00 
 
 Crusaders contributions 136.00 
 
 Shares of Success 417.00 
 
 $1453.00 
 
 Pledges toward routine expenses for the year totaled $5761. 00 
 
 Loose offerings $1905.00 
 During the fourth decade of the church's life two leaders, selected by the denomi- 
 nation, Board of Education, were Reverend Paul Offenhiser and Reverend Pierre 
 Tangent. Under these able leaders the work has gone in high gear. Mr. Avery 
 Lee, a southern man, remained only one year; returning to the South where no 
 doubt he felt more at home. 
 
 This narrative comes to a fitting climax and close with an account of the 
 celebration of the fortieth year of the founding of the church, in the fall of 1952. 
 This anniversary and reunion of the Fellowship of the church alumni occurred at the 
 annual campus Homecoming in October. It was the first such reunion in fifteen 
 years. For those who were privileged to be present it was Homecoming in a double 
 sense. One of the charter members present - there were seven of these with some 
 member of the individual's family, wrote back "the fortieth anniversary and reunion 
 are over and all that is left is the memory, and what a grand memory it is!. . . .1 
 thoroughly enjoyed every minute; renewing friendships long forgotten was thrilling." 
 That such was the experience of all was written in a glowing light on every face. 
 
 The anniversary opened with a coffee hour following the football game 
 Saturday afternoon, held in the parlors of the church. This function was directed 
 by the girls living in the church-owned Stratford House beautifully and efficiently, 
 assisted by a group of musical students who entertained unobtrusively. The Sunday 
 morning worship service found the church crowded to the walls of the building. 
 The pastor considered that it was probably the largest gathering in the history of 
 the church. It is interesting to note that the large majority were the present gener- 
 ation of active students, as the records show that alumni and families present 
 numbered between one hundred forty and one hundred fifty. Dr. Newton Fetter of 
 Boston and New York, Director of the Division of Higher Education, American 
 Baptist Board of Education, was the guest speaker of the occasion. Dr. Fetter re- 
 viewed briefly the history of the church, emphasizing the purpose as visioned by 
 the founder and carried forward by his successors, was that of providing competent, 
 trained, mature leadership for churches all over the land as each generation of 
 graduates leaves campus and returns to local communities. 
 
 At least one hundred forty alumni and families gathered around the tables 
 after the service, filling the spacious dining room to capacity. The spirit of fellow- 
 ship of former years was awakened by the group singing the church hymn, written 
 by the founder in the earlier years of the church. At this gathering there was not a 
 series of speeches, rather the time was spent by brief memories of the meaning of 
 
 -44- 
 
the church, by individuals as these were introduced. One, in whose home the 
 church was officially organized, was present and gave her message; she came 
 from Pittsburgh especially for this celebration. The first member baptized into 
 the membership, fall of 1912, was also present coming from Wheeling, West 
 Virginia especially for the occasion. One woman, who met her husband in the 
 church during her school days came from Albuquerque, New Mexico for this occas- 
 ion; she came the greatest distance. The entire group was happy that Reverend 
 Paul E. Alden was able to be present, sitting among those who were active in his 
 decade. The closing talk of the occasion was made by Mr. Alden. There were 
 messages from many who could not be present, telegrams and one long distance 
 telephone call. 
 
 Finally we raise the question "Is this type of ministry the answer to the 
 religious needs at the campuses of the great publicly supported universities?" Let 
 some of those who had the experience make reply: 
 
 "It hardly seems possible that it is forty years ago that the founding of 
 a new church at the campus of the University of Illinois occurred.. How well I re- 
 member those days. . . I remember the little mission where we would take turns 
 providing the gospel message and singing for the group. Not only did this prove a 
 blessing to us, but it helped me personally in that it improved my work in my pub- 
 lic speaking class. When I was at the university this summer (1952) for the first 
 time in many years, I was startled to find the tremendous advance that had been 
 made. . . If it had not been for one of the young men of the church whom we met 
 while trying to find our way around in the greatly changed buildings, we certainly 
 would have had trouble. He was very gracious in showing us about the church as 
 well as campus. " 
 
 From another man of the early years, Reverend Alvin T. Fishman, whom 
 we have mentioned earlier in this narrative, who has been working in the foreign 
 service of the church in South India for the past more than thirty years, came a 
 really significant message: "The chief recurring picture in my memory of the 
 University Baptist Church is that of Martin and Harriet Bryant. Martin was the first 
 to persuade me to help with services at the little mission. He sent me to preach 
 in various churches. He urged me to go to the Y-camp at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 
 where I signed the Student Volunteer card. In his study I took my first lessons in 
 sermon -making. Under his guidance I was licensed to preach by the University 
 Baptist Church in 1917. In June of that year he started Lois and me off in happy 
 married life. When the time approached for us to leave for India, he advised me 
 to be ordained, arranged for the Council, guided my preparation for the ordination, 
 was 'interrogator' on the day the Council met, preached the ordination sermon the 
 following Sunday. Thus I was duly and properly ordained in the University Baptist 
 Church in 1920. Small wonder that I feel a lump in my throat when I think of the 
 fortieth anniversary and of the Bryants. " 
 
 One of the charter members who expressed the meaning of the ministry 
 of the church to his life at the above described gathering related a personal experi- 
 ence of which I had never dreamed in the days when he was a student. He told how 
 much he enjoyed going to the minister's home and how frequently; that he knew 
 where the cookie or doughnut jars were to be found; that if Mrs. Bryant was into 
 some big kitchen job he stepped in and helped her, a fact remembered, but the 
 casual factors were the surprise when he stated that he did these things because 
 he was homesick, that this was the outlet he chose to help him over such spells. 
 It was remembered that we used to note that probably this lad was the one boy in 
 his family who loved to hang around the kitchen and help his mother. 
 
 We quote from remarks made by a young man of the past four years of 
 the church's life This lad's views were spoken at a previous Homecoming and 
 later, by request, put into written form by him: "The University Baptist Church 
 
 -45- 
 
meant to me not merely a place for Sunday worship, great as that was, it was also 
 a haven of guidance, from the pastor mostly, as well as older members of the 
 church. The church was for me a place around which I oriented my life for there 
 were fascinating social functions. Here I met the people with whom I became most 
 closely associated, for these were the people whose ethics and ideals most closely 
 corresponded to my own. One of the outstanding features of the church is the per- 
 sonal interest taken in each individual student, a quality which is rather rare around 
 a large university. " This young student was the son of two people who were active 
 during their own student days, who met in its fellowship and were married by the 
 first pastor of the church, and whose home continues a joy to this writer because 
 that home and family has maintained the character for which the student church 
 has stood. 
 
 -46 
 
Thirteen THE FIFTH DECADE 
 
 The decade now drawing to a close brought some notable features. Rev- 
 erend Pierre Tangent had been in the pastorate for three years as the decade opened 
 in 1952. Mr. Tangent gave the church a fine pastorate of seven years. The pre- 
 ceeding chapter gave an account of the development: of residence halls for both 
 women and men students . There was now a growing need for another notable feature: 
 a residence for the minister outside of the church building. A careful study was 
 made for such an undertaking inbothcities, with a preferenc? for a house in Urbana. 
 However, after a long search, a fine cottage was located, within the available 
 means, in the northwestern section of Champaign, purchased and the Tangent fam- 
 ily moved into it in 1954. This location gave his small children a normal school 
 life among the children of Champaign residents. 
 
 With the steadily increasing size of the student work, this change also 
 made it possible for the Minister -Director to remove himself daily from the constant 
 pressures of campus life. However, the apartment continued a useful purpose as a 
 residence by a married student couple who, in exchange for a rental fee, gave sexton 
 service in the care of the entire building. 
 
 By way of recapitulation, in addition to the purchase of the new parsonage, 
 we have described in the preceeding chapter the development of residence halls for 
 both men and women and the incorporation of the Baptist Student Foundation. It is 
 thus evident that Mr. Tangent carried through all of these new advances in the six 
 or seven years of his leadership. It was with deep regret that the church and Foun- 
 dation accepted the resignation of Mr. Tangent in November of 1955, going to the 
 pastorate of Goodyear Heights Baptist Church, Akron, Ohio in February of 1956. 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Tangent had come to feel that the time had come, for the sake 
 of their children, they should be having the experience of a normal, community 
 church and church school, as a basic need for their religious growth. The continu- 
 ing ministry for the remainder of that academic year (second semester of 1955-56) 
 was carried on by an advanced theological student from the University of Chicago, 
 who came to the church for week-ends only. 
 
 As summer approached, some interested adults and some of the alumni of 
 the earliest years of the church's life became aware that a "son" of the church was 
 in this country for a year's furlough from the field of his life work in South India.. 
 We should note that Dr. Alvin T. Fishman came within a year of being a charter 
 member of the University Baptist Church. He came to the university in the fall of 
 1913 as a sophomore. Although the church was temporarily pastorless, a few 
 alumni living not too far from the university campus, considered that there should 
 be some recognition of a man who was ordained in the church and had given thirty - 
 six years of his life to the Lord's work in that far-away corner of His vineyard. It 
 was learned from his sister living in Carbondale that he would be travelling through 
 middle -western states during the fall months on speaking dates, especially at state 
 convention gatherings. Partly from such files as could be found, partly from mem- 
 ory, a list was compiled of alumni who had been students in the university during 
 the years of Alvin' s undergraduate studies. These few older alumni, getting their 
 heads together planned a week-end, including a dinner in the church dining-room, 
 confining the guest list to those Illini of 1913-1917. Letters were sent to each of 
 those who lived within driving distance, a date was set, and arrangements made 
 with a local caterer who was willing to undertake such a plan provided he could be 
 assured of no less than fifty plates. As the response to that date seemed to assure 
 that number, we went ahead with the plan. 
 
 Just at that point it was learned to our great joy that a successor to Mr. 
 Tangent had been found, had accepted the call and arrived in our midst just in time 
 to be an honor guest, along with Alvin. It was a happy arrangement, since it gave 
 
 -47- 
 
the new leader an opportunity at the very beginning of his new work to meet and to 
 be greeted by such a substantial alumni group. At the dinner, of course, Alvin 
 gave the principal address, including a close-up picture of his work at Ahndra 
 Christian College, Guntur, South India, where he is head of the department of edu- 
 cation: "teaching teachers to teach", he told us for the school system Nehru is de- 
 veloping in India. This gathering, perhaps because of it's small size, was truly a 
 real "family gathering". They were seated at tables in such a way that men and 
 women who had worked most closely together as active students in the "Fellowship", 
 were thus brought together. For instance at one table were Fred and Florence 
 Wakeland, as host and hostess, with several members of their own family about 
 them. All the guests seemed to have a most enjoyable time telling each other about 
 their own families. Even after the dinner was over and they had left the tables, they 
 continued to visit like long-lost brothers. 
 
 Soon thereafter an ALUMNI NEWS was issued and mailed to as many 
 alumni as addresses could be found, as a means of introducing the new leader- 
 Reverend Haydn Ambrose, who thus began his work for our student church in the fall 
 of 1956. He came to us directly from a church in Mankato, Minnesota, where a 
 state college for teachers is located, thus giving him insight into the nature of a 
 student ministry. It was soon evident to his adult listeners that he understood the 
 student mind, spoke the student language, and felt right at home in a campus church 
 like University Baptist. To this writer, Mr. Ambrose seemed to have an interest- 
 ing link with the founder of the church. He was born in Wales coming to this country 
 as a small boy with emigrating parents, attending American schools, college, 
 theological seminary. As Mr. Bryant used to say he was a second generation im- 
 migrant, as his mother was brought to this country from Wales, with her parents. 
 The quality of life of the new leader is perhaps well shown by a quotation from his 
 pen in this same issue of the NEWS: 
 
 "We are convinced, as you have been for a long time that the 
 University Baptist Church and Foundation is a key spot in our 
 American Baptist Convention and in the student life of the 
 American Church. We consider it a high privilege to be able 
 to greet you as friend, co-worker and Fellow. We have 
 always felt a divine compulsion behind important decisions 
 that we have made. That compulsion was never stronger 
 than the day we decided to accept the call to serve you 
 through University Baptist Church. Our purpose here con- 
 tinues three -fold; we are trying to create a home church 
 away from home for hundreds of Baptist students; we desire 
 to generate through these students a definite Christian im- 
 pact on the campus community; through our in-service 
 training we feel that we are contributing to the American 
 Baptist Convention, to the eucumenical church and the King- 
 dom of God a continuing stream of consecrated Christian 
 leadership." 
 
 Mr. Ambrose reported that, as of that fall (1956) there were 19,000 students en- 
 rolled at the university (the local campus) and that among them there were six hun- 
 dred American Baptists "whom our program is trying to meet and draw into a fellow- 
 ship for the deepening and enriching of their Christian faith, as well as to reach 
 out, with the other Foundations to witness to the entire campus community. 
 
 Without more detail we will skip over to the fall of 1959, Mr. Ambrose 
 reporting: "over a thousand Baptist students registered, a full sanctuary, an ex- 
 cellent choir, multitudenous activities - these details have become the expected 
 thing at University Baptist. Study seems to be our key-note this fall, with four ex- 
 cellent morning .study groups, plus several week-night groups moving very nicely. " 
 
 -48- 
 
This statement needs no further comment as evidence that the church is growing 
 and moving forward in a well-planned ministry to our students. 
 
 In an ALUMNI NEWS of November 1959 Mr. Ambrose again reported that 
 the "Christian Higher Education Challenge" being conducted throughout the territory 
 of the American Convention during that year is seeking a goal of $7, 500, 000 for the 
 Baptist work in colleges, seminaries and prep schools, including, of course, univer- 
 sity churches and foundations. "At the University Baptist Church in Champaignwe 
 expect to receive a total of $34, 000 which will be used for sanctuary renovations, 
 additional Christian educational facilities and improvements to both Stratford and 
 Koinonia houses, ". Quoting from his report, we note: 
 
 "As I read our denominational journals, travel around Illinois and 
 neighboring states, and notice the lists of leaders in our Baptist 
 denomination and the ecumenical church, I frequently come 
 across the names of university Baptist graduates who are con- 
 tinuing lives of service to our Lord, begun when they were on 
 the campus of the University of Illinois. Our own Foundation 
 Board contains several people who were listed here as students 
 or faculty. " 
 
 As college opened in the fall of 1960 the church was beginning the forty - 
 eighth year of its ministry and the present leader, Mr. Haydn Ambrose,' was starting 
 in on his fifth year as Minister -Director. Reading through annual reports of the 
 leader and his assistant many guide-lines appear concerning present day develop- 
 ments. We note an emphasis on two main programs in the year's work - (1) the 
 Christian Mission to the academic community, (2) the Christian Higher Education 
 Challenge. He stresses an intensive week-end study, discussion and worship under 
 the guidance of Dr. William Kucher, evidently a visitor. It is not entirely clear to 
 this reader, but we considered that this seems to be a Religious Emphasis Week. 
 He further reports that there were 717 different students and faculty members respond- 
 ing to this effort. Their study centered in the theme "Our Faith". 
 
 As regards the response of students he further reports that there are 1300 
 Baptist students enrolled that fall of whom two -thirds seem to have taken some part 
 in the church program. Sunday morning worship attendance during the previous aca- 
 demic year (1959-60) averaged 263 (up 18 percent over the previous year (1958-59). 
 He considered it a real challenge to the church leaders that this number of those re- 
 sponding should increase markedly in the next few years, especially if total enroll- 
 ment at campus continues to increase. 
 
 It was further reported that of the present year there are four study groups, 
 also there are other groups around whom the program is organized, each conducting 
 studies among their membership: as the Service Commission, Faith and Life Com- 
 mission, and Fellowship. Considerable significance attaches to a United Study 
 Seminars program in which our church joined with McKinley Foundation and the 
 United Church Center (which from its location appears to this writer as that formerly 
 known as Seabury Foundation-Congregationalist). This was a six weeks study with 
 six different courses offered. We note these studies as they seem to indicate the 
 breadth of vision as" (1) Answering Faith's Tough Questions, (2) Christian Faith 
 and Modern Literature, (3) Seminar for Freshmen, (4) Life, Death and Destiny, (5) 
 The Meaning of Persons, (6) Man and Humanity. These groups met regularly, and 
 weekly in the three centers mentioned above for six consecutive weeks. During the 
 first two months of the present year (1961) another series of studies, running over a 
 six weeks period two major areas are being stressed in these studies: (1) Family 
 School of Christian Outreach and (2) Heritage and Horizans in Home Missions. 
 
 -49 
 
The Second Generation 
 
 In a recent communication, Mr. Ambrose mentioned finding a few second 
 generation among the present generation of undergraduate students registered this 
 fall. I am pleased to add a memoranda and a few pictures of second generation stu- 
 dents at University Baptist. 
 
 It was as far back as the fall of 1934 that the first of these second genera- 
 tion Baptists appeared at church and campus, - William Garrett eldest son of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Frank Garrett (Grant Park, III.) William's parents came to us as a bride 
 and groom during the very first year of the church for Baptist students (fall of 1912) 
 They remained actively among us for several years, leaving for Frank to take up 
 Farm Advisory work elsewhere. It has been a great joy to this remaining member 
 of the Founding team that, down through the years William has seemed glad to re- 
 member, by sending an annual Christmas greeting, as this year he mentions his 
 parents and his mother's sister, now living in retirement in Kankakee. Dr. William 
 has been for the past many years a practicing physician in Sibley, Illinois, I suspect 
 one of a very few left in our society, a rural physician. 
 
 Among others of this second generation are the sons and daughters of Mr. 
 and Mrs. E. H. Walworth (Monmouth, Illinois). Lois, the eldest, is now a home- 
 maker -teacher; Margaret is mainly a home-maker, two of the sons are research 
 men, one is a teacher, one a missionary in Mexico. Their annual letters bear testi- 
 mony to their active Christian lives, most of them were students at Illinois. 
 
 Then there is Ned Trovillion, son of Paul and Marian (1920-24). After 
 graduating from Illinois Ned took up teaching in Golconda, Illinois . Another son is 
 a veterinarian in Golconda. 
 
 It was a joy to make the acquaintance of John Lansing, son of Pearl Jones 
 Lansing (and Will, who passed on in 1936). John is presently doing graduate work 
 at the University of Chicago. 
 
 Then all of the children of Everett Young have at different times been en- 
 rolled at the university of their father. Others who should be mentioned are John 
 Wakeland, son of Fred and Florence Wakeland, who was an active student at cam- 
 pus and church during recent years, also a son of Ted Hafer. Of the two sons of 
 Wendell and Alice Kennedy, both of whom did some work at Illinois, however, both 
 chose to attend smaller, privately endowed colleges elsewhere. On the occasion of 
 a recent visit at campus, I found a son of Hiram and Rosalee Lesar entering as a 
 freshman. Then I notice on this year's church bulletin the name of Frederick 
 Bunning, doubtless son of Walter and Velvie Vetter Bunning. Doubtless there are 
 many others whose names do not come to mind at the moment. 
 
 It is now the summer of 1961; as this volume is about to go to press, it 
 seems appropriate to add a concluding paragraph, setting forth the situation in our 
 loved church as of now, at the close of the academic year of 1960-61, and the fifth 
 year of the present leadership, Reverend Haydn Ambrose and his able staff. In the 
 annual report to the church the membership was reported to be 254 of which sixty- 
 three were full members and one hundred ninty-one were affiliate members . The 
 finance report seems especially significant: pledges for the year were $7,600.00, 
 loose offerings totaled $3,200.00, the Deacons' Fund, $150.00, making a total in- 
 come of $10,950.00. 
 
 As I read through the various reports in the mineographed document, it 
 seemed to me that it is a matter of pride as well as satisfaction, the part being taken 
 by the present minister -director in the wider ranges of community as well as of 
 national denominational work - such as vice-president of the Baptist Association of 
 college work, and president of the campus Religious Workers' Association, also an 
 active part in the state -wide Schools of Missions and of Youth Emphasis week. 
 
 At the close of the first ha If -century of the history of the University Baptist 
 
 -50- 
 
Church at the campus of the University of Illinois, is it not deeply gratifying that 
 the ministry to Baptist students has made such commendable progress, and is so 
 well established to go forward into the next half-century. 
 
 As this narrative draws to a close near the end of the fifty (50) years of 
 ministry to college youth, the co-founder looks back over the years with the justifi- 
 able pride of a "fond parent". Travelling up and down the land, often as a guest in 
 many homes of our alums, it has been a deeper joy than words can relate to find 
 these active in church and characterful community activities. Many have and still 
 occupy positions of real prominence. Let me list some of these findings, as one 
 is on the staff of the United Nations, another in the service of the Red Cross has 
 seen active service in Japan and all across this country, ending up in Germany; 
 another was the Editor-in-chief of the National Journal of Nursing during the last 
 years of her life, several have held positions of deans hip on various university 
 campuses; others have held positions in the legal profession, one saw service on 
 the bench; another has seen forty years of service in India, completing his service 
 on the faculty of a Christian college, as head of the department of Education; But 
 the Who's Who of our church alumni group is a long one, I can only suggest these 
 few because of limits of space! All these bear testimony to the value of the stu- 
 dent ministry to the on -going church and civic enterprises of the denomination and 
 of our land. "May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face 
 to shine upon you and give you peace 1 ' is my closing prayer. 
 
 ■51 
 
CHURCH OFFICERS 
 
 
 Pres. B.Y.P.U. or 
 
 Supt. S. School or 
 
 Chairman Trustees 
 
 Year 
 
 Student Council 
 
 Direct Rel. Educa. 
 
 or Advisory Board 
 
 1912-13 
 
 W. 0. Andrews 
 
 Frank Turner 
 
 W. O. Andrews 
 
 1913-14 
 
 Hans Greison 
 
 Frank Turner 
 
 Stuart J. Bates 
 
 1914-15 
 
 C. H. Jackman 
 
 Leslie Lumiey 
 
 Dr. C.G. Lumiey 
 
 1915-16 
 
 D. C. Heath 
 
 Leslie Lumiey 
 
 Dr.C.G.LumLey 
 
 1916-17 
 
 D. B. Or hum 
 
 B.W. Fairbanks 
 
 Frank Turner 
 
 1917-18 
 
 C. L. Anderson 
 
 Charles Fairman 
 
 A. W. Owen 
 
 1918-19 
 
 Bird Stephenson 
 
 Everett S. Lee 
 
 Dr. C.G. Lumiey 
 
 1919-20 
 
 Edward C. Fritts 
 
 John Rice 
 
 Charles Fairman 
 
 1920-21 
 
 George Thiem 
 
 John Rice 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1921-22 
 
 F.Ewart Vandeveer 
 
 John Rice 
 
 C. A. Atwood 
 
 1922-23 
 
 F.Ewart Vandeveer 
 
 John Rice 
 
 C. A. Atwood 
 
 1923-24 
 
 J.W.C. Anderson 
 
 John Rice 
 
 F . E . Vandeveer 
 
 1924-25 
 
 James Arvin 
 
 John Rice 
 
 F. E. Vandeveer 
 
 1925-26 
 
 M.E. Herriott 
 
 C. A. Atwood 
 
 Herbert L.White 
 
 1926-27 
 
 C. L. Willis 
 
 C. A. Atwood 
 
 Herbert L.White 
 
 1927-28 
 
 G.W. Brown 
 
 C. A. Atwood 
 
 Herbert L.White 
 
 1928-29 
 
 Estella Osborn 
 
 C. A. Atwood 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1929-30 
 
 B. W. Huie 
 
 Frank Lansing 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1930-31 
 
 C. A. Williams 
 
 M. S. Bryant 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1931-32 
 
 D. M. Brown 
 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1932-33 
 
 C. H. Lewis 
 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1933-34 
 
 Alwilda Berger 
 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1934-35 
 
 John Quisenberry 
 
 E. G. Young 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1935-36 
 
 Will Dunn 
 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1936-37 
 
 J. A. Stewart 
 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1937-38 
 
 Carroll Dunn 
 
 Richard Hudson 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1938-39 
 
 Henry J . Bothwell 
 
 Jas. H. Sample 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1939-40 
 
 Warren Dugan 
 
 C. H. Harmison 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1940-41 
 
 Juanita Berger 
 
 G. F. Wiegel 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1941-42 
 
 R. M. Barber 
 
 D. G. Bangert 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1942-43 
 
 J. K. Riley 
 
 Helen L. Stewart 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1943-44 
 
 Helen L. Stewart 
 
 Elaine Winstead 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1944-45 
 
 Robert Bohon 
 
 Fannie White 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1945-46 
 
 Richard Smith 
 
 Melba Holmes 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1946-47 
 
 James O'Neal 
 
 
 E. P. Gaston 
 
 1947-48 
 
 Lee Jones 
 
 Robert Sutton 
 
 Ed. Trovillion 
 
 1948-49 
 
 Howard Wake land 
 
 Robert Sutton 
 
 Albert Stanley 
 
 1949-50 
 
 Paul Trovillion 
 
 Robert Sutton 
 
 Alfred Noreen 
 
 1950-51 
 
 Harry Hillman 
 
 Robert Sutton 
 
 Howard Wakeland 
 
 1951-52 
 
 James Pankratz 
 
 Albert Noreen 
 
 Walter Cutchin 
 
 1952-53 
 
 Edward Koska 
 
 Albert Stanley 
 
 Harlan Van Gerpan 
 
 1953-54 
 
 George Fox 
 
 Albert Stanley 
 
 Robert Sutton 
 
 1954-55 
 
 Bud Beatty 
 
 Walter Cutchin 
 
 Walter Cutchin 
 
 1955-56 
 
 Edmund Whute 
 
 Walter Cutchin 
 
 Robert Sutton 
 
 1956-57 
 
 Richard Nighswander 
 
 Walter Cutchin 
 
 Walter Cutchin 
 
 1957-58 
 
 
 
 
 
 Karen Kelly 
 
 Walter Cutchin 
 
 Mrs. J. Bailey 
 
 1958-59 
 
 James Reiter 
 
 Mrs. J.Bailey 
 
 Walter Cutchin 
 
 1959-60 
 
 Robert John and 
 
 
 
 
 Barry Gillingham 
 
 Philip Young 
 
 Robert Sutton 
 
 1960-61 
 
 Dorothy Hubbard 
 
 Lynn Abercombie 
 
 Robert Sutton 
 
THROUGH THE YEARS 
 
 Chair. Board 
 
 
 
 
 
 of Deacons 
 
 Treasurer 
 
 Clerk 
 
 Head Usher 
 
 Year 
 
 Frank Turner 
 
 Oliver Murdock 
 
 Leslie Lumley 
 
 Hans Greison 
 
 1912-13 
 
 J. W. Howard 
 
 Paul Merdock 
 
 Leslie Lumley 
 
 James Primm 
 
 1913-14 
 
 Alan Markwetl 
 
 Hans Greison 
 
 Henry Summers 
 
 D. C. Heath 
 
 1914-15 
 1915-16 
 
 L.W. Chalcraft 
 
 Fred Wakeland 
 
 George Re id 
 
 Dwight Colmey 
 
 1916-17 
 
 D.M. Chalcraft 
 
 Fred Wakeland 
 
 George Re id 
 
 Dwight Colmey 
 
 1917-18 
 
 R. M. Robinson 
 
 Will H. Lewis 
 
 W. L. Delmer 
 
 George Thiem 
 
 1918-19 
 
 C. J. Badger 
 
 J. Hill 
 
 
 
 1919-20 
 
 J. A. Gunton 
 
 
 
 
 1920-21 
 
 Henry J.Kenny 
 
 J. Hill 
 
 
 
 1921-22 
 
 Herbert L.White 
 
 Howard Smith 
 
 
 
 1922-23 
 
 Herbert L.White 
 
 Howard Smith 
 
 
 
 1923-24 
 
 W.B.Maxfield 
 
 Ralph Johns 
 
 
 
 1924-25 
 
 J. A. Arvin 
 
 Ralph Johns 
 
 Harry Graham 
 
 Herbert L.White 
 
 1925-26 
 
 J. A. Arvin 
 
 Ralph Johns 
 
 
 
 1926-27 
 
 J. A. Arvin 
 
 Harry Schilling 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 
 1927-28 
 
 Will Clark 
 
 Harry Schilling 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 J. L. Bitzer 
 
 1928-29 
 
 H.W.Blalock 
 
 Herbert L.White 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 
 1929-30 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Herbert L.White 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 E. B. Early 
 
 1930-31 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Herbert L.White 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 E. B. Early 
 
 1931-32 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Harold P. Wheeler 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Thayer Cleaver 
 
 1932-33 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 George Fisher 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 
 1933-34 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 George Fisher 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Wm. Curtis 
 
 1934-35 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Gerald Sandy 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Victor Dahir 
 
 1935-36 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Gerald Sandy 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Ray Fox 
 
 1936-37 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Gerald Sandy 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 W. Colclasure 
 
 1937-38 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Gerald Sandy 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 F. R. Geib 
 
 1938-39 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Gerald Sandy 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Delbert Kurley 
 
 1939-40 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Gerald Sandy 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Paul Dahm 
 
 1940-41 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Warren Dugan 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Norman Hassler 
 
 1941-42 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 Willard Robinson 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Paul Salzman 
 
 1942-43 
 
 Wm. Clark 
 
 James C. Clark 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Forrest Orr 
 
 1943-44 
 
 Jas. Vanderpool 
 
 James C. Clark 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Forrest Orr 
 
 1944-45 
 
 
 Russell Odell 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 Miner Coon 
 
 1945-46 
 
 Paul Dahm 
 
 James C. Clark 
 
 Chas. J. Starr 
 
 
 1946-47 
 
 Wm . Hornbaker 
 
 0. Smith 
 
 Mrs. CM. Hobart 
 
 
 1947-48 
 
 
 0. Smith 
 
 Mrs.Robt.Tuggle 
 
 Chas . Garrison 
 
 1948-49 
 
 George Cates 
 
 Wm . Hornbaker 
 
 Mrs. J. Griffin 
 
 
 1949-50 
 
 Walter Hearn 
 
 Robert Bohon 
 
 Mrs. W. Hearn 
 
 David Waham 
 
 1950-51 
 
 Robert Sutton 
 
 Robert Bohon 
 
 Mrs. B. Cutchin 
 
 
 1951-52 
 
 
 Margaret Stewart 
 
 Mary Fuqua 
 
 Francis Morse 
 
 1952-53 
 
 
 Margaret Stewart 
 
 Ethelyn Lively 
 
 Jack Hurley 
 
 1953-54 
 
 
 Pauline Woodward 
 
 Margaret Boswell 
 
 Richard Pople 
 
 1954-55 
 
 
 Rosalie Fisher 
 
 Dorris Williams 
 
 Donald Mulikens 
 
 1955-56 
 
 
 Jean Beaty 
 
 Dorris Williams 
 
 Louise Antonali 
 Robert Fusinati 
 
 195o-57 
 
 
 Mrs. J. Chapman 
 
 Barbara Boozer 
 
 Riley Walters 
 
 1957-58 
 
 
 Mrs. R. Corless 
 
 Mrs. Peter Knight 
 
 
 
 
 
 Freddie Mitchell 
 
 Michaelelstrom 
 
 1958-59 
 
 
 Albert Stanley 
 
 Wayne Lundberg 
 
 Michaelelstrom 
 
 1959-60 
 
 
 Albert Stanley 
 
 Mrs. Donald 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wedegaertner 
 
 Michaelelstrom 
 
 1960-61 
 
286.1B842H 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 C001 
 
 HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY BAPTIST 
 
 CHURCH 
 
 3 0112 025278133