For anyone who has cleaned out an old closet or happened upon a dusty old shoebox in a forgotten corner of an attic, you know what it feels like to happen upon something of significance.
Yes, most of the time we're rummaging through decades-old storage bins, our goal is to either find that one-misplaced item or simply empty the attic. We confess that much of what we find is rubbish—a K-Mart receipt from 1977, or purchase order for a water hose in 1952, or a grocery list to the old A&P (don't forget to pick up some Tang and some Tab).
Occasionally, however, you'll find an old letter that will shed light on a family mystery. Perhaps you'll discover a crate full of collectibles from the days of the Eisenhower Administration. And then, maybe it's an old wallet that you find with clues—like a time capsule—that provide insight into a person that you thought you knew.
Because of the hard work of Harold and Gwen Messer, Ann Melton, and others, our church's history has been collected and chronicled so that our slipping memories of bygone eras are well-preserved. This past week, while flipping through Melton's 2018 publication, Come to the Freeing Place: The History of the First Baptist Church of Sylva, I found a story about the Sylva Collegiate Institute. What I learned about our church's involvement with the Institute has confirmed a hunch I've had about us. More than ever, I believe that we are a church of educators who feels called to serve students by equipping them to learn and grow.
According to a retrospective article from the Sylva Herald in 1957, "The education obtained at Sylva Public Schools (in the waning days of the 1800s) was far from adequate. Any student who wished to enter college after graduating met with difficulties. A student's background was lacking, and they could not gain entrance to any college or university until they had, first, removed their deficiencies."
To rectify this lack of schooling, the Sylva Collegiate Institute was established in 1898 on College Hill. Unbeknownst to me, College Hill is the neighborhood on Allen Street behind Motion Makers and Town Hall. The Institute opened its doors in 1900 with the backing of local educators and the Baptist Home Mission Society's financial support. These efforts enabled students to receive an education at virtually no cost.
The campus consisted of administrative and classroom space to accommodate 600 students. Dormitory accommodations provided 100 beds for men and women who came from ten North Carolina counties and three states. Ann Melton details in her church history book that, "While the primary and elementary divisions were always sound, increasing attention was given to the high school program. By 1916, courses were being offered in English, mathematics, Latin, Greek, French, German, Ancient and Modern History, Bible, geography, general science, psychology, agriculture, music, and art. A normal course was offered to prospective teachers, and business diplomas could be earned by those who wished to combine an academic program with business courses."
By the 1920s, the Institute had garnered wide praise for its academic achievement and excellence.
Melton reports that "Attendance at Sunday School and Sunday worship services was required of all high school students. The First Baptist Church of Sylva was the home church for the Institute and was one of its strongest supporters." Church members were engaged in Institute-life and advocated for both local and denominational funding. Members of the church served as Institute faculty and on the Board of Trustees. "Church members gave many students a home away from home by making their homes available to them for visits and special occasions."
"First Baptist Church, in turn, benefited greatly by having the faculty and students of Sylva Collegiate Institute affiliated with their church. Many of the faculty and students were able to make valuable contributions to the life of the church. They were talented in music and art, were able to teach in Sunday School, and directed church ministries and special programs. The music program especially realized some strong leadership from the faculty and students of SCI."
The Sylva Collegiate Institute opened its doors in August of 1900 and closed when the Baptist Home Mission Society's financial support ended in 1932. The challenges of The Great Depression and an ambitious campaign to improve public schooling in North Carolina would combine to reduce the need for an institute in Sylva. First Baptist managed the transfer of property when the Institute closed, and today nothing remains of its physical campus.
Upon learning this story from our church's early days, I was filled with pride for the way our congregation supported the Institute's efforts for over three decades. During its 32-year history, our church played an invaluable role to hundreds, if not thousands, of students and their families.
The church's sense of call, of course, does not surprise me. Our church has been home to local schoolteachers, administrators, college/ university staff, and faculty throughout our 132-year history. Our congregation has been filled with educators, librarians, counselors, superintendents, lecturers, researchers, principals, choral directors, and experts in their field. This is who we are, and service to others through education is our story. Our heritage as a church of educators is one that we should take pride in and nurture today.
No, this element in our church's history has not been relegated to the history room on the second floor of our 'education space' (Yes, we built an entire building dedicated to education). We live out our heritage today with our continued support for teaching
students. Our 1st Explorers Ministry is a continuation of this legacy as we equip children and students in our community. Furthermore, by partnering with Western Carolina University students, we are equipping young people to learn and serve as apprentices and mentors to children. Today, First Baptist Church is focused on helping students, and we're calling upon the rich treasure trove of retired educators in our church to lend their expertise to children who are without in-person instructors. Educating students in not just a good idea. Educating students is both our heritage and our way forward.
And it has not gone unnoticed.
Our community is grateful for our efforts to serve others. Notably, parents and children alike are indebted to us for our willingness to provide care during this challenging season. Community leaders appreciate our work with children and routinely ask us how they can replicate what we're doing. Other churches see what we're doing and are choosing to partner with us as we serve.
An elegant, wall-mounted clock hands in our church office. If you look closely, you'll see an inscription that reads, "Sylva Collegiate Institute School Clock." Beneath the name, it states: "Presented to the First Baptist Church of Sylva by Lawson Alan on behalf of the L.L. Alan family in honor of the faculty, staff, and students of the Sylva Collegiate Institute. 1898-1932."
Sometimes, if you want to get a good idea of your future, all you have to do is look at your past.
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."-Matthew 5:14-1
