Month: June 2019

Looking Back and Forward (Repeat)

Time is a strange thing. On October 28, 1955 the Founders Day speaker was J. Roy Price, Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee.

In that speech, he looked back at his experience as a student – he also scrutinized the college in 1955 from the perspective of one in the present who was planning for the future. The future he was planning is now sixty-three years in our past.

1923

J. Roy Price (known as Roy) entered  West Virginia Wesleyan as a student in the Academy in 1917 (which would be equivalent to a Jr. in High School today) and graduated in 1919. This was the year that the Academy program phased out and all work became college level.

In 1923 he graduated with his B.S. degree.

As you can see from the caption below his photo, he was definitely a person who appreciated the Liberal Arts approach of the school: Young Men’s Christian Association, Debate, Chemistry, Theater, Murmurmontis staff. Quite the variety of interests.

He would have been one of Nicholas Hyma’s earliest students, as he taught from 1919-57.

They can be seen catching up in this 1944 picture from an alumni dinner in New York.

Career in Chemistry

J. Roy Price went on to have a very successful career in the chemical industry working with Union Carbide. He was part of the team doing original research on vinyl plastics and did research on such things as rosin, shallac, asphalt, celluloid, can linings, and insulation for electric wires (which was used as a substitute for rubber when the U.S. entered WWII).

During WWII he served as Union Carbide’s liaison to Defense Agencies, and in 1958 was appointed by President Eisenhower as head of the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization.

College Connections

Receiving an  Honorary Doctor of Science from WVWC in 1949,  J. Roy Price served on the Board of Trustees from 1949-73, and was President of the Board from 1969-73. Working with President William Scarborough, he was also the chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee which set the groundwork for the major growth of campus facilities under President Stanley H. Martin.

Founders Day Speaker in 1956

The full text of this address can be found here.

Speaking as an alumnus and a Trustee  as well as the Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee, he notes that these things were absolutely necessary:

  1. High Quality Education
  2. More and Better Faculty, with salary improvements
  3. Physical Facilities

I encourage you to read his words. They are as relevant today as they were then.

The tomorrows that they were planning for 63 years ago are now our past. And others are now in the process of planning for the future. Time has a way of shifting from past to present to future. It is with great appreciation that I write to tell of this Giant in Wesleyan history.

John Roy Price (click here for his Bio)

Born: June 15, 1900

Died: June 15, 1975 (unexpectedly on his 75th birthday)

The quotation under his yearbook photo in 1923 seems to be a very fitting one. From Wordsworth, it said, “A man of cheerful yesterdays and confident tomorrows.”

Time Changes Some (But Not All) Things: Annual Conferences 1856 and 2019

Perspective of Time

Time does change things.  But not all things.

For example, take a look at the front page of these minutes:

Not the West Virginia Conference………the Western Virginia Conference

Not the United Methodist Church…..The Methodist Episcopal Church

Buckhannon (established January 15, 1816) is still Buckhannon

Upshur County (very newly established on March 26, 1851) is still Upshur County

Virginia

Although this was 165 years ago, we can recognize both the gracious welcome offered by the people who lived in this town and the appreciation of the group of Methodist Episcopal Church leaders. The minutes include their thanks:

First Time — But Not The Last

The next time that the Methodist Episcopal Conference met in Buckhannon, it was October 1, 1884. By this time they were meeting in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

In those days, the meeting place moved around a good bit to places like Wheeling, Clarksburg, Parkersburg, Charleston, Huntington, Weston, and Fairmont.

  • The Methodist Episcopal Conference met again in Buckhannon in 1884, 1895, 1913, 1926, and 1935.
  • The year 1939 The Methodist Episcopal Church, The Methodist Protestant Church, and The Methodist Episcopal Church South  reunited to become The Methodist Church.
  • In 1953 the newly reunited Methodist church met in Buckhannon. From 1955 until today the Annual Conference has met at West Virginia Wesleyan College
  • In 1968 The Methodist Church united with The Evangelical United Brethren Church to become The United Methodist Church.

Dreamers and Giants

Many of these meetings throughout the 1800s included the work of creating a new school — which we now know as West Virginia Wesleyan College.

In fact, these were the original Dreamers.

It was their dream of having a school in the area where both boys and girls could receive a quality education, and where the values of  their faith would be part of the fabric of that school.

Giants were among them. People who worked tirelessly to make that dream a reality. It would take decades of that hard work before the doors would open in 1890.

The school has been supported by the prayers and the hard work of giants in the West(ern) Virginia Conference ever since. And new giants have been formed there as well. Many leaders of the Conference were educated and inspired at the college, and many have gone on to leadership positions throughout the church and the world.

From 1955-1967, the Conference met in Atkinson Chapel, and thereafter in Wesley Chapel. They are the direct descendents of those who met so long ago, but have certainly kept up with the times.

Meeting At WVWC In 2019

The people of Buckhannon once again welcomed the conference June 13-16, 2019. The campus was transformed into meeting spaces, the dining center provided many meals. There were salad luncheons and barbecue dinners offered at the Upshur Parish House. There was a baked steak dinner at Chapel Hill United Methodist, which also gave the conference attendees the opportunity to support the Buckhannon Choral Society.

Mayor David McCauley wrote a letter of welcome, and rolled out the red carpet.

There was worship and fellowship. There were business sessions and reports. There were big screens all around the sanctary so that everyone would be able to see. During the business meetings, the voting was done with electronic voting machines for the first time. Some who could not be present “attended” by way of live streaming online, skyped in to receive an award, and communicated throughout through text messaging. Those original conference-goers would have been amazed.

Much was different — a lot was the same.

Sermon On The Mount Shines Through West Virginia Glass

Chapel Windows Preach the Sermon on the Mount

The windows in Wesley Chapel are made to create an atmosphere of worship. Made with beautiful West Virginia Blenko glass, they provide color and warmth. The downstairs windows are without any design, but the glass itself is a wonderful blend of shades and color.

Upstairs, there are twelve windows with designs that preach the Sermon on the Mount. Eight of them are based on the Beatitudes. The remaining four reflect the themes of  righteousness, being the salt of the earth, and the light of the world.

According to artist notes, the following interpretations guided the creation of the windows. They are also very helpful to those who experience them.

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”  is portrayed by hands in the posture of prayer and a cross which is surrounded by the circle which is a symbol of eternity, and by a nimbus which is a suggestion of power. The main theme of this Beatitude is humility, and praying for guidance is an appropriate expression of humility. The symbol of power suggests that the seeker will find his answer in the “kingdom of heaven.”

This window was given in memory of Eleanor Rider Williams (Sem. 1897) by her children: Loring (1927) , Elizabeth (1933), and Brunson. 

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” is depicted by a woman kneeling and bent in grief, but she is surrounded by the flowers which suggest new life, the circle which again suggests eternity, and above the figures are the Chi and Rho, symbols for Christ whose resurrection provides the comforting answer to grief and mourning.

This window was given in memory of Dr. Jacob Elbert Wells (1907, H 1921) by Mrs. J. Elbert Wells, the former Daisee Furbee (1907). Dr. Wells was a retired Methodist Minister. He attended the 1928 General Conference and was a delegate to the first Jurisdictional Conference in 1940. He also served on the West Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees from 1916-1946.

Blessed Are The Meek

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” is indicated by the globe in a setting composed of a partial nimbus and radiant lines suggesting the power of God.

This window was given in memory of Charles A. Snider (Sem. 1900). Rev. Snider was Methodist Minister in the West Virginia Annual Conference from 1901-1968 and a charter member of the West Virginia Wesleyan College Emeritus Club.

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” is portrayed by the chalice and cross. A partial nimbus and radiant lines again suggest that those who seek righteousness will be blessed by it.

This window was given in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Carden and Mrs. and Mrs. Clyde McKinley – Parents of John Dana and Jean McKinley Carden. Jean Carden was President Stanley H. Martin’s Administrative Assistant.

Blessed  Are The Merciful

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” is depicted by a symbol that is out of the Old Testament. It is an ark, but it suggests the Ark of the Covenant, rather than the Ark of the Flood. The covenant in the Old Testament included the assurance of God’s forgiveness and this is a dominant theme throughout the Gospel.

This window was given in memory of Hugh B. and Janet Nicholas Lynch – Presented by Jeanette Lynch Richardson (1938).

Blessed Are The Pure In Heart

                                                                                                                                       “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” is portrayed by three lilies which are traditionally symbols of purity, so arranged that they fit appropriately within a triangle and altogether suggest the Trinity. The total is surrounded again by a nimbus and with radiant lines arranged in groups of three, suggesting that purity of intent is met by God himself.

This window was given in memory of the Carper Family. Presented by Dr. W. C. Carper.   

Blessed Are The Peacemakers

                                                                                                                                        “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” employs the familiar olive branch and dove as symbols of peace. The nimbus and the descending flight of the dove suggest that the peacemaker is rewarded by the sonship of God.

This window was given in memory of Mrs. Erma Snodgrass Hall (Sem 1907, 1913)  Presented by Jerome Venoir Hall (1904)

Jerome Venoir Hall  (Sem. 1904) also presented a second of the Beatitudes windows in memory of his wife:

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted For Righteousness’ Sake

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” is illustrated with the cross to indicate this righteousness, and both the crown and laurel which are symbols of victory.

 

A full circle, symbol of eternity and lines arranged in groups of three complete the Beatitudes’ message of the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Righteousness

The Beatitudes are followed by a window which summarizes the theme and the entire Sermon on the Mount —  Righteousness.

It is represented by a pair of scales set within the circle of eternal law, and seems to say that righteousness will prevail eventually.

This window was presented in memory of Oda Earle Karickhoff (Sem. 1901, 1905) by his children, Elizabeth Smith and Michael Karickhoff.   Mr. Karickhoff taught Economics and Sociology at West Virginia Wesleyan from 1919-1946.

You Are The Salt Of The Earth

“ You are the salt of the earth” is portrayed by a man on his knees with arms and face upraised as if to look toward heaven. Above him is the cross and immediately around him are two trees and other vegetation suggesting that the results of his own good qualities have been productive. Beneath this arrangement is another figure prostrate with apparent failure. It says that not all disciples are faithful.

This window was given in memory of Kenneth Criss. Presented by A.V. Criss

You Are The Light Of The World:                                                    A City On A Hill Cannot Be Hid

In this window is a castle and plain path leading toward its entrance. It is obviously on a towering hill and in full view.

It was presented in memory of Herbert McClaskey Blair (Sem. 1904) by his wife Madge Chidester Blair (Sem 1904) and his son Andrew Lane Blair who was a Trustee of West Virginia Wesleyan from 1963-88.

 

You Are The Light Of The World: Flaming Torch

George L. Payne of Paterson, NJ was the artist for the windows, the altar settings, and chancel furniture.

Stories Behind the Soaring Sound

I have enjoyed it hundreds, if not thousands, of times at Concerts, Convocations, Recitals, Weddings and Worship Services.

But I confess that I haven’t really stopped to find out more about it until now.

The organ in Wesley Chapel has been a major player in  many stories.

  • Dedication
  • Celebration
  • Meditation
  • Inaguration

The music played on this organ has

  • Lifted our spirits
  • Comforted our souls
  • Given great enjoyment and inspiration

The organ in Wesley Chapel was built by the Casavant Freres Organ Builders. That company was founded in Quebec, Canada in 1879 by two brothers, Claver and Samuel Casavant, who shared a love of the craft of organ building. They traveled extensively throughout Europe studying organs and those who built them. Their organs are thought to be among the finest in the world.

When President Stanley H. Martin was working on plans for Wesley Chapel, he drew heavily from his experience at Boston University. He taught there, and was the first chaplain at Marsh Chapel when it was built in 1950. Sure enough, the organ in that building is also built by the Casavant Freres Organ Builders.

Installation Dates and Delays

Some delays due to a labor strike in England apparently prevented the organ from being ready for the October 29, 1967 Chapel Dedication ceremony. The program does not mention this, so the programs must have already been printed prior to this story in the Pharos on October 24.

Clear back on page three was this brief notice:

By January 23, 1968 the headlines said:

The print is small, so I will transcribe it here:

Installation of Wesley Chapel’s organ begins today, according to Chaplain Sydney Davis. Chapel services for this morning have been cancelled, but services will beheld as usual next week.

The $130,000 organ and Sculmerich chimes were donated by local persons who prefer to remain anonymous.

Installation and tuning of pipes for the organ will continue for approximately six weeks, and dedication of the organ will take place March 3 in the first of a series of organ recitals to be given this semester.

Richard Ellsasser is best noted for having memorized the complete works of Bach at age 19. He is the second person to have done so.

Elsasser maintains offices in the midwest, Hollywood and New York.

Installation, originally scheduled for completion early last semester, was held up by a delay in shipment of a metal screen to be put in front of the 4,174 pipes of the organ.

The screen, made in England, was held up due to a strike and was not shipped until last month.

Casavante Freres of Toronto, Canada, makers of the organ, are in charge of installation of the organ and pipes.

The screen had to be installed prior to the pipes which have been available since last semester. In order to install the screen, workmen had to work behind the screen in the area in which the pipes are to be put.

Contractors were afraid that in the process of screen installation, pipes might be damaged, so the decision was made to install the screen first.

Following pipe installation, pipes must be tuned or “voiced.” This procedure will take approximately five weeks.

“We hope to be able to use the organ within six weeks,” Robert Shafer, official college organist, said.

FOUR Dedication Concerts

This was so much excitement over the organ, that there was a series of concerts to dedicate it. They began with a well-known organ prodigy, followed by a faculty concert, an alumni concert, and ended with a well-known organ performer and teacher.   Click here to see the full program for the March 3rd Concert.

  1. March 3, 1968  (3:00 pm) by Richard Ellasser.
  2. March 19, 1968 (8:15 pm) by Dr.Robert E. Shafer
  3. March 31, 1968 (3:00 pm) by Dwight Menard (1964)
  4. November 19, 1968 (8:00 pm) by Dr. George Markey (Princeton)

Mystery Solved. Thank you, G.I. Rohrbough!

The January  1966 edition of the West Virginia Wesleyan College Bulletin reported that :

The organ, to be built at a cost of $92,900, has been contributed to the College by a donor wishing to remain anonymous for the present. The installation of the Casavant organ will permit Wesleyan a great opportunity to provide outstanding concerts for all of central West Virginia.

It did not remain anonymous, however.

Etta Maude Lynch was born in 1875, and died in 1936.  This photograph of her was located on Find-a-Grave 130768195. This was way before we had a yearbook from which to locate a photograph. Irwin’s yearbook information in the 1923 Murmurmontis shows that he was a very active part of the college community.

Irwin went on to be a very successful educator and administrator, serving as president of multiple colleges. You can read more about him here. He also served on the West Virginia Wesleyan Board of Trustees from 1967-76, and through his gift of the organ in Wesley Chapel, he is still contributing to events at the school. In 1940 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Pedagogy degree.

Inspiration and Appreciation

The 4,174 pipes, 54 stops, and 75 real ranks of pipes involved have attracted world-famous organists to come and play in Wesley Chapel. Wesleyan Giants such as Robert E. Shafer, Bobby Loftis, J. Peter Berkovitz,  Marguerite Bostonia, and Melody Meadows have played it and inspired their students – many of whom have become master organists in their own rights. Among them are Peter DuBois, Jessica Scott, Brett Miller, Zachary Allen, Abby Woods Haake, Peter Infanger, Greg Blair, Alfred Kanagaraj, Edward Byram, and Kayoko Funada, but there are many many more.

Other notable people include Eunyoung Kim, a Fulbright,  and Pamela Balch, President of WVWC from 2006-16.

And thousands of us have benefited from the music resulting from this gift.