Thursday, April 9, 1959: Ground breaking of Patterson Dorm

Ground breaking of Patterson Dorm (it is hard to tell who this is, any Alumni pin point who it is)

Even Mrs. Hazel Davis, with her husband watching, broke some ground.

The interior of one the dorm rooms in Patterson around 1971 or 1972

Going through some the 35 mm slides I acquired I ran across some more treasures. The top two slides that were scanned are from the ground breaking of Patterson dorm on Thursday, April 9, 1959, a little over 50 years ago. Next year Patterson Dorm will celebrate 50 years since it was finished and dedicated. It is great to see all the fun that they are having during this ground breaking to replace the Inner Circle that had been decaying.

Treasure Trove of History

The taking down of the Inner Circle Men's Dorm to prepare for Chatlos-Davis

Dr. Patterson putting the "Last" Brick into Chatlos-Davis 1965

The tearing down of Davis Hall (Old Main Building) after the building of Chatlos-Davis

I was given a treasure trove of History yesterday related to the History of PBTS. I had a great time going through the items last night and tonight. They were donated from Richie Robb (son of Ken and Esther Robb). The all the items are great, but my favorite are the 35mm slides. So many great pictures I have never seen. The images above are just a taste of what I have been taking in. I have a device for scanning these to digital form. These images show the work to build the current Main Building on the campus of Davis College, Chatlos-Davis.

Thank you Richie!

Kenneth and Esther Robb's wedding September 8, 1942

Backrow (L-R) Rev. J.B. Harrison, Rev. M.C. Patterson, and Rev. Gordon C Davis
Frontrow (L-R) Maid of Honor, Esther Robb, Kenneth Robb, Best Man

I received an email the other day from Richard "Richie" Robb, the son of Kenneth and Esther Robb. He sent the above photo of his parents wedding. In that Newspaper for that event it read, "The Rev. M.C. Patterson, Th. D officiated. The Rev. J.B. Harrison offered the opening prayer and the Rev. G.C. Davis, D.D. closed the ceremony with a prayer of dedication."

Richie wrote about this based on the post a couple of days ago about Dr. Patterson knowing all 9 presidents of Davis.

He wrote that his

family association predates the school; my maternal grandfather was led to Christ by John A Davis and his and grandma’s wedding was performed by him while he was the pastor at First Baptist of Hallstead PA. My note is motivated by your interesting musing on Dr. Patterson knowing all the presidents… I never would have thought of it but found it insightful. Your comment about Dr. Patterson knowing my Dad while he was a student reminded me that Dr. Patterson performed my parents wedding.

Robert Miller mentioned Richie in his memories of PBTS. Thanks Richie for the email.

I look forward to hearing from more Alumni, friends of the college, and children of past members of the college.

Some scenes from the 16mm film "Fruits of a God Given Vision" 1956

The video above is a few clips from "Fruits of God Given Vision" filmed in May of 1956 during the Commencement time exercises. It was narrated by Dr. Gordon Davis. In these clips I have taken the narration out to enjoy the scenery of PBTS. There are shots of the Sign leading into Bible School Park and Main Building. Also the Students League of Many Nations, lead by Dr. and Mrs. Patterson. A scene with Dr. and Mrs. Gordon Davis and Dr. and Mrs. Patterson, and finally a shot of Dr. Lowe praying in the Chapel.

Dr. Marion C. Patterson (class 1926) and all 9 Presidents of Davis

Dr. Patterson (1934)

Dr. and Mrs. Patterson (1965)

One thing I have been thinking about for a few months, but more so as Dr. Dino Pedrone's installation as the 9th president of Davis approaches, is Dr. Patterson. Why Dr. M.C. Patterson you may ask, well I was thinking about it and something occurred to me that I thought was very cool. Dr. Patterson knew all 9 presidents of Davis College. Dr. Patterson graduated from PBTS in 1926 when Dr. John A. Davis was president (2nd president), but he also knew John R. Clements (1st) who was on the campus for many years. He served as a Vice President under Dr. Gordon Davis (3rd), and he obviously knew himself (4th). He knew Rev. Robb (5th) his successor, both when Rev. Robb was a student (class of 1942) and during the time they served together at PBTS. For Dr. Linebaugh (7th) he would have known him as a student as Dr. Patterson was working at the college when Dr. Linebaugh was a student graduating in 1949. Dr. Kroll class of 1965 (6th), Dr. Miller class of 1972 (8th), and Dr. Pedrone class of 1967 (9th) all had Dr. Patterson as President when they were students at PBTS.

All Nine presidents of PBTS/PBC/Davis were known by Dr. Patterson.

Making of the Men's Dorm, Patterson Hall

This has turned into a three part series about the building of Patterson Dorm. I have done two other posts about the building of Patterson Hall.

To view part one
To view part two

This scan is from the 1946 Theologue. It showed me something I have never known, but it makes perfect sense now. During WW2 there were not many men that attended PBTS. In fact the Inner Circle Men's Dorm was big enough to house them all. Originally the Old Main Building was both a men's and women's dorm with a large wall dividing the two. During WW2 many women came to the school so that the Main Building became strictly a women's dorm. After the war ended many men wanted to go into ministry and the school did not have enough room...hence Patterson Hall was needed to be built. It is interesting to me that the men's dorm was going to have a dining hall and kitchen in the basement.

Robert Miller's Memories of PBTS

As I continue to work on some items about Dr. Barackman and Miss Mary Baker I would like to post these memories of PBTS.
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The following are some memories of Robert J. Miller. Robert is the one of the sons of Pastor George Miller II, and the younger brother of Dr. George Miller III, the current president of Davis. Like Anita Harrower's memories several months ago, Robert never attended PBTS as a student, but was actively involved with the school when his parents attended. Enjoy his memories, I know I did.
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Growing up on the campus of PBTS

I remember the first day we moved onto the campus at “Practical Bible Training School”. How I enjoyed chasing all the squirrels and climbing up the tall evergreen tree in front of King Hall. I know my Mother was a nervous wreck with knowing I would be getting into everything and anything, the campus a field day of adventure. We had an apartment which was behind the old post office at one point. We lived, also at the married family housing which was completed in the earlier part of the sixties beyond the Knoll. It was there that I became friends with other student’s kids. It was my Brother George and I and My two Parents, George and Eleanor Miller. I loved it on the Campus, ridding my bike for hours on end and never having to leave the Practical grounds. I became good friends with Richard Robb (President Robb’s son) and he and I would always find lots to do as we were the same age. We always had a watchful eye out for President Patterson, who seemed to always be around patrolling the Campus on a hot summer’s eve or evenings during the school year. Dr. Patterson would always stop and take the time to talk to us boys. It always seemed like we had a sense of security with him around. It amazed me that he being President of a college would take the time to care about us boys.

My Father went to Practical and Graduated in 1965 and we stayed at the school with my Father and Mother both working on the staff. We lived in many different places from the “League Building” to another apartment in the old Post Office building, to finally “Clements Hall” before leaving Practical. We left when my Father was led by God into another ministry he started in Spencer, New York. When we lived on campus I had meet many godly folks who were both teachers at Practical, and Staff members. Even the “Head of Maintenance,” Mr. Conn was in my eyes a spiritual man; I would see him on occasion praying with someone. I also remember the students who would come over to our apartment and talk with my parents about there problems. I guess some of the students thought of my mother and father as taking the place of their parents which were farther away.

I live in the Myrtle Beach area now with my Wife Josephine, but we from time to time make the trip up North. We always take a ride through the campus of which is now Davis College and I am, in my mind, always taken back forty some years ago to a wonderful time in my life. I would have not missed it for the world, living on that campus, being amongst the very godly people who where there. Then there were wonderful picnics at Arrowhead, the wonderful guest speakers for the Alumni retreats (as they called it back then), and also graduations. I am very proud to say my Father and Brother both attended Practical (Davis College). From time to time my Wife and I will hear a speaker that graduated from PBTS. My wife always tells me you can see how they were trained just by hearing them preach. It is a wonderful thing that Practical-Davis College has always taken a stand to never waiver from teaching and professing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr. Davis would be proud as to where the college has evolved in these modern times. I always remember and sing it from time to time, some lines from that song the Seniors would always sing at graduation , “on the bank of the Susquehanna, in God chosen place , stands our dear ole PBTS”. I did not attend Practical or Davis, but that precious College will be for ever in my heart as well as everyone in my family’s hearts as well. “PBTS How we love you and your teachers dear” those words will for ever ring out not only in my life but the Miller family. We know that it will only be a bright, blessed future for the countless others who will pass through and be a part of Davis College.

The making of Patterson Dorm

A few weeks ago I did a post about the first plan of what would become Patterson Dorm. To view that article click here. This is in a sense a sequel to that post. I was going through the 1960 and 1961 Theologues and I was looking at the pictures taken around the time of the construction of Patterson.

This is a drawing of what they thought Patterson would look like when
complete from the 1960 Theologue

The 1960 Theologue also showed the ground breaking with Dr. Gordon Davis and Hazel as shown below.
Also the building of the structure for Patterson Hall.

The photo above shows the side of Patterson. The main entrance near the RD apartment

is on the farther left of the image.

The 1961 Theologue showed the completed dorm and dedication. The photo below show Dr. Gordon Davis, Dr. Patterson, Dr. Lowe, and who appears to be Dr. Benson.
The pictures below show Dr. Patterson in a completed dorm room and the finished building from the driveway.
Patterson Hall is nearly 40 years old. It will turn 40 in 2010. It is still being used for the glory of God as a dormitory and classrooms in the basement.

1934 Theologue: The story of John A. Davis Part 10: "He Being Dead Yet Speaketh"

The final part of the 10 part series. If you missed any of the series they are all posted on this blog. All the links are under this introduction and also they are posted on the side bar. Send me an email or fill out the form on the side and tell me what you thought of this series. I know I enjoyed learning about John A. Davis through typing it up. Enjoy the last part.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9

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X.

“He BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH.”

Hebrews 11:4

It was two days before Easter. That morning the rising bell rang at five thirty. By six o’clock the student body of the School was on Sunset Knoll, gathered around the grave of their departed president.

The newly-made grave was covered with evergreen, and in the green bed a beautiful lily had been placed.

Rev. Gordon C. Davis was in charge of the service, and led in the singing of several familiar hymns. As the note of the last hymn died away Rev. M. C. Patterson offered prayer. Following this Rev. Marmion L. Lowe read from the Scriptures. Then John R. Clements spoke about the blessing which Dr. Davis had been to unnumbered lives, and expressed thankfulness for having been one of his associates. Numerous students spoke briefly, mentioning their thankfulness for the life of Dr. Davis and expressing their faith in Christ as “the resurrection and the life.”

The early morning worshippers then went to “Friendship Cottage,” the home of Dr. Davis, and in front of the house sang for Mrs. John A. Davis, “There’s a Land That is Fairer Than Day” and “God Will Take Care of You.”

This may have been the forerunner of many Sunrise Services at the grave of Dr. Davis. That out of the deep spiritual tone of the meeting an unsaved young man was moved to yield to Jesus Christ as his Savior was not without deep significance.

“He, being dead yet speaketh.”

Thou noble man! God’s man!

Who didst not turn to right nor left

But ever followed on

To know the Lord;

Thy work is done; rest on

Gently enfolded in God’s arms of love

For thee to live was Christ

And death thy gain!

Rest fearlessly; rest heart!

Thy Lord for thee didst conquer death;

And Christ, through toil of thine, lives on

In men.

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I hope you have enjoyed this 10 part series from the 1934 Theologue.