Timeline of Highlights
Written by Louis F. Morgan
with updates by
Jayson Vanhook, Jeff Salyer, and C. Paul Conn
with updates by
Jayson Vanhook, Jeff Salyer, and C. Paul Conn
Images provided by Lee University archives, William G. Squires Library, and the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center
1918
BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL BEGINS
The school opens on January 1st at 9:30 a.m. in the upper room of the Evangel Publishing Company [Church of God Publishing House] in Cleveland with Reverend Nora Chambers as teacher. Tuition is $1 per week, and 12 students enroll to learn more about the Bible. At no time are all students present on the same day, and only 6 remain at the end of the 3-month term. Most students live in the home of A.J. and Mary Jane Tomlinson across the street from the publishing house.
BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL BEGINS
The school opens on January 1st at 9:30 a.m. in the upper room of the Evangel Publishing Company [Church of God Publishing House] in Cleveland with Reverend Nora Chambers as teacher. Tuition is $1 per week, and 12 students enroll to learn more about the Bible. At no time are all students present on the same day, and only 6 remain at the end of the 3-month term. Most students live in the home of A.J. and Mary Jane Tomlinson across the street from the publishing house.
1919
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM EXPANDS OPPORTUNITY
A correspondence course of 20 lessons for $40 begins on September 29th with 203 students enrolled. 788 students are enrolled by the end of the year, and Purlia Ables, a Sunday school teacher and church treasurer in Carbon Hill, Alabama, becomes the first graduate by correspondence. Nora Chambers grades the lessons and supervises the program.
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM EXPANDS OPPORTUNITY
A correspondence course of 20 lessons for $40 begins on September 29th with 203 students enrolled. 788 students are enrolled by the end of the year, and Purlia Ables, a Sunday school teacher and church treasurer in Carbon Hill, Alabama, becomes the first graduate by correspondence. Nora Chambers grades the lessons and supervises the program.
LIMITED SPACE REQUIRES BUILDING EXPANSION
From the beginning, additional space is needed for classrooms and housing. Zeno C. Tharp, a student from Florida, later explains, “[T]he students had to room any place they could find. Often there were from four to ten in a room, and most of the time no baths or hot water were provided, and many times not even running water. Often the bedrooms were without heat.” A 3-story addition is built onto the publishing house in 1919 to expand student housing and classrooms.
From the beginning, additional space is needed for classrooms and housing. Zeno C. Tharp, a student from Florida, later explains, “[T]he students had to room any place they could find. Often there were from four to ten in a room, and most of the time no baths or hot water were provided, and many times not even running water. Often the bedrooms were without heat.” A 3-story addition is built onto the publishing house in 1919 to expand student housing and classrooms.
1920
GROWTH NECESSITATES MOVE INTO THE FORMER SANCTUARY OF NORTH CLEVELAND CHURCH OF GOD
GROWTH NECESSITATES MOVE INTO THE FORMER SANCTUARY OF NORTH CLEVELAND CHURCH OF GOD
1925
CONTINUED GROWTH NECESSITATES ANOTHER MOVE
To accommodate the continued growth, the school moves across the street to share the Assembly Auditorium with North Cleveland Church. The former sanctuary becomes a dormitory. The school also expands curriculum when Ione Moore is hired to teach literary courses to provide a broader knowledge base for students.
CONTINUED GROWTH NECESSITATES ANOTHER MOVE
To accommodate the continued growth, the school moves across the street to share the Assembly Auditorium with North Cleveland Church. The former sanctuary becomes a dormitory. The school also expands curriculum when Ione Moore is hired to teach literary courses to provide a broader knowledge base for students.
1928
LILLIAN “WHITE CORN LITTLE SOLDIER” and REINHOLD KLAUDT ATTEND BTS
Lillian, a Native American from the Dakotas, is the great-granddaughter of Chief Sitting Bull. Her father and uncle served as scouts for General Custer in the Battle of Little Big Horn. She met Reinhold Klaudt, a German cattleman, on the Fort Berthold Reservation and joined the Church of God when it was first introduced into the Dakotas. Eventually, all of the Klaudt family receive formal education at BTS and Lee, particularly in the music courses. The family later settles in Georgia and become widely known as the Gospel music group, the Klaudt Indian Family. They also have a television program through a connection with Walt Disney.
LILLIAN “WHITE CORN LITTLE SOLDIER” and REINHOLD KLAUDT ATTEND BTS
Lillian, a Native American from the Dakotas, is the great-granddaughter of Chief Sitting Bull. Her father and uncle served as scouts for General Custer in the Battle of Little Big Horn. She met Reinhold Klaudt, a German cattleman, on the Fort Berthold Reservation and joined the Church of God when it was first introduced into the Dakotas. Eventually, all of the Klaudt family receive formal education at BTS and Lee, particularly in the music courses. The family later settles in Georgia and become widely known as the Gospel music group, the Klaudt Indian Family. They also have a television program through a connection with Walt Disney.
