Central Wesleyan College
Encyclopedia
Central Wesleyan College was a private college sponsored by the Methodist Church in Warrenton, Missouri
from 1864 to 1941.
, to train ministers for the German Methodist Episcopal Church. The English portion closed in 1863 as descendants of German immigrants were more numerous and interested in continuing their church traditions.
Church members founded the new school in Warrenton with the stated purposes of providing homes for orphans of the American Civil War
and to supply a "higher educational institute for the youth of the German Church in the West." Founders purchased a 900 acres (3.6 km²) campus for the Western Orphan Asylum and Educational Institute. In 1869, the name was changed to Central Wesleyan College and Orphan Asylum. In 1884, the two organizations split: Central Wesleyan College and Central Wesleyan Orphan Home.
In 1909 the German College of Mount Pleasant, Iowa
merged with the college, which was renamed the Central Wesleyan College and German Theological Seminary.
In 1912 the college was among the original founders of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association
. After public universities took over the Mid-America athletic conference, in 1924 Central was among the founders of the Missouri College Athletic Union
.
The records of Ozark Wesleyan College of Carthage, Missouri
were added to the library and archives in the 1920s.
, the college closed in 1941. Its grounds were sold in 1946 at auction. In 1947, Truman State University
bought its records.
Warrenton, Missouri
Warrenton is a city in Warren County, Missouri, United States. The population was estimated at 7,398 in 2008. It is the county seat of Warren County. Warrenton is located in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area. Warrenton's slogan is "A City for All Seasons."-Geography:Warrenton is located...
from 1864 to 1941.
History
The college has its roots in the German and English College founded in 1854 in Quincy, IllinoisQuincy, Illinois
Quincy, known as Illinois' "Gem City," is a river city along the Mississippi River and the county seat of Adams County. As of the 2010 census the city held a population of 40,633. The city anchors its own micropolitan area and is the economic and regional hub of West-central Illinois, catering a...
, to train ministers for the German Methodist Episcopal Church. The English portion closed in 1863 as descendants of German immigrants were more numerous and interested in continuing their church traditions.
Church members founded the new school in Warrenton with the stated purposes of providing homes for orphans of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and to supply a "higher educational institute for the youth of the German Church in the West." Founders purchased a 900 acres (3.6 km²) campus for the Western Orphan Asylum and Educational Institute. In 1869, the name was changed to Central Wesleyan College and Orphan Asylum. In 1884, the two organizations split: Central Wesleyan College and Central Wesleyan Orphan Home.
In 1909 the German College of Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Mount Pleasant is a city in and the county seat of Henry County, Iowa, in the United States. The population was 8,668 in the 2010 census, a decline from 8,751 in the 2000 census. It was founded in 1835 by pioneer Presley Saunders.- History :...
merged with the college, which was renamed the Central Wesleyan College and German Theological Seminary.
In 1912 the college was among the original founders of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association
The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association is a college athletic conference which operates in the states of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and effective in 2012 in Oklahoma in the Midwestern United States. The conference was formerly known as the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic...
. After public universities took over the Mid-America athletic conference, in 1924 Central was among the founders of the Missouri College Athletic Union
Heart of America Athletic Conference
The Heart of America Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. Member institutions are located in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska in the United States....
.
The records of Ozark Wesleyan College of Carthage, Missouri
Carthage, Missouri
Carthage is a city in Jasper County, Missouri, United States. The population was 14,378 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jasper County and is nicknamed "America's Maple Leaf City."...
were added to the library and archives in the 1920s.
Closing
Faced with financial troubles in the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, the college closed in 1941. Its grounds were sold in 1946 at auction. In 1947, Truman State University
Truman State University
Truman State University is a public liberal arts and sciences university in Missouri, United States and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. About 6,000 students attend Truman, pursuing degrees in 43 undergraduate and 9 Graduate programs. It is located in Kirksville in...
bought its records.
Notable alumni
- Herb HakeHerb HakeHerb Hake was an American author, cartoonist, radio, and television personality; associated with the University of Northern Iowa. He was awarded several honorary doctoral degrees.-Biography:...
- cartoonist - Carl LutzCarl LutzCarl Lutz was the Swiss Vice-Consul in Budapest, Hungary from 1942 until the end of World War II. He helped save tens of thousands of Jews from deportation to Nazi Extermination camps during the Holocaust. He is credited with saving over 62,000 Jews...
- Swiss official who saved thousands of Jews in World War II - John Louis NuelsenJohn Louis NuelsenJohn Louis Nuelsen was a German-American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church and The Methodist Church, elected in 1908. He also distinguished himself as a Methodist Pastor, as a college and seminary professor and theologian, and as an author and editor.-Birth and Family:John was born 19...
- Methodist Bishop - Leonidas C. DyerLeonidas C. DyerLeonidas Carstarphen Dyer was an American politician, reformer, civil rights activist, and military officer who served 11 terms in the U.S. Congress as a Republican Representative from Missouri from 1911 to 1933. In 1898 enrolling in the U.S...
- Congressman - Theodore W. HukriedeTheodore W. HukriedeTheodore Waldemar Hukriede was a U.S. Representative from Missouri.Born near New Truxton, Missouri, Hukriede attended the public schools, Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton, Missouri, and the University of Missouri....
- Congressman - Henry F. NiedringhausHenry F. NiedringhausHenry Frederick Niedringhaus was a U.S. Representative from Missouri, nephew of Frederick Gottlieb Niedringhaus....
- Congressman - William A. RodenbergWilliam A. RodenbergWilliam August Rodenberg was a U.S. Representative from Illinois.Born near Chester, Illinois, Rodenberg attended the public schools.He graduated from Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton, Missouri, in 1884....
- Congressman