Graduate Program
History
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
2011
Thesis Director
Debra Reid
Thesis Committee Member
Lynne Curry
Thesis Committee Member
Nora Pat Small
Abstract
The Church of the United Brethren in Christ developed quickly in the United States in the nineteenth century. The denomination, against strong opposition at first, became a great supporter of church-sponsored schools. Westfield College was the school the denomination founded in Illinois. It, like the denomination's other schools, reflected the beliefs held by the denomination. It generally allowed individual interpretation regarding the applications of biblical teaching, particularly regarding baptism. The schools, however, held their students and faculty to a tight moral code and tried to act upon that code in the community by banning alcohol sales, supporting women's rights, and opposing slavery.
Westfield College fits into the existing models regarding denominational schools founded between 1860 and 1920. It was largely conservative and reactionary. The school long opposed adopting courses and practices that reflected contemporary trends in educational reform. Westfield College, like other United Brethren schools, did not compete effectively against the larger, better funded, and less expensive state-sponsored schools. This case study of Westfield College intends to illuminate the development of United Brethren schools and the nature of both their evolution and their struggles with competing against, and eventually losing to, state-sponsored institutions.
Recommended Citation
D'Arcy, Ryan M., "Westfield College: Fighting for the soul" (2011). Masters Theses. 973.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/973
