This month in Presbyterian history
An inaugural graduation, an icy groundbreaking, and other historic gatherings
One hundred years ago this month, the first graduates of Chungju Women's Bible Institute gathered for a photograph. The eight women graduating from the school are seen in the first row, clad in white and varying in age, each with a book of scripture in their grip. Behind them stand nine others.
Printed by Sasaki Studio in Tokyo, Japan, this image comes from the records of the UPCUSA's Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations, or Record Group 223 in the Presbyterian Historical Society archives.
Presbyterian work in Korea began in 1884, when two missionaries from the Shanghai mission in China were transferred to Seoul. Eventually, nine mission stations were established in South Korea, with the Chungju Mission opening in 1908. The Chungju Women’s Bible Institute, located in South Korea, was established by missionaries sent by the Board of Foreign Missions in the early years of the 20th century.
On the back of the photograph is a handwritten note that reads: "In rear — two gentlemen named Cho, whether students or faculty is uncertain. Faculty standing L to R: Mrs. J. G. Purdy, Katherine Esteb, Olga Johnson, Lillian Dean (Miller), F. S. Miller, Rev. Ham, Mr. Kim. Graduates Seated: Sin Soi, Im Jae Su, Oh Sin Ae, Chun Mae Rae, Chun Maria, Kim Jook Bok, Yi Soi, Ook Soi."
In the bottom right corner are the initials "RHB '73." This signature belongs to Richard Hamilton Baird, who was born in Korea in 1898, where his missionary parents had put down roots. Both he and his brother William Jr. followed in their parents' footsteps, returning to Korea after receiving their theological degrees in the U.S. The Baird Family Papers are preserved at the Presbyterian Historical Society as well, and consist of photographs with dates that range from 1900 to 1966, primarily document the Korean mission, the Korean Presbyterian Church, and, of course, the work of the Bairds. It's thanks to Richard Baird's cataloguing work in 1973 that we know the names of these history-making women.
On February 15, 1956, no space could be found in the pews of St. Andrew’s Church in Nairobi, Kenya. The sanctuary was filled to the brim with a crowd that was ready to celebrate the creation of an autonomous Presbyterian Church of East Africa.
How did we get to this moment? In 1892, the “East African Scottish Mission” was established in Kibwezi by two independent missionaries, Sir William Mackinnon and Alexander Low Bruce. Mackinnon’s and Bruce’s mission was handed over to the Church of Scotland near the end of the 20th century, by which time both founders had died.
For many years, the church depended on financial and personnel assistance from Scotland until it was able to establish autonomy in 1956, when the new United Church was birthed from the merging of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa and the Church of Scotland's Overseas Presbytery of Kenya Colony.
At this ceremony, the Rev. R.G.M. Calderwood was elected moderator of the new organization. Calderwood was interim chairman of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) twice, his first term in 1943 and another following that in 1946. He played a large part in the early development of the council, which has grown into a significant ecumenical organization in East Africa. The caption mentions that Calderwood was also "a recognized expert on the Kikuyu Tribe."
In February 1966, a ceremonial shovel was dug into icy ground to signify the growth of the Norriton Presbyterian Church. A chapel and education building would be built where the groundbreaking ceremony took place.
Norriton Presbyterian Church, located in Norristown, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1678. The original church building was erected in 1698 — it still stands tall today, and is one of the oldest Presbyterian Church buildings in the country. This includes its connecting cemetery, as well, where Revolutionary War troops were laid to rest.
The church sanctuary had been utilized as a hospital during the Battle of Germantown, a place to care for the wounded — a place where George Washington visited his fallen men. “Old Norriton" has experienced much growth since its founding in the 17th century.
While frozen ground was being broken in Pennsylvania, a new pastor was being welcomed at the Church of the Master in Georgia.
In 1965, the Rev. James Costen received the call to serve as pastor of the Church of the Master Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. Within his personal papers, Record Group 538, lives a program from his installation ceremony, held on February 27, 1966. Costen was integral in establishing the church, which was deliberately organized as the first interracial Presbyterian congregation in Atlanta.
Costen served the Church of the Master until 1969, when he became dean of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary.
It all comes together five years later, when Costen visited Kenya for the first time. While there, he built relationships with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa — almost 20 years after the church became autonomous. He would go on to work with the PCEA in various positions.
You may freely reuse and distribute this article in its entirety for non-commercial purposes in any medium. Please include author attribution, photography credits, and a link to the original article. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDeratives 4.0 International License.
