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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
The following will outline the details of meetings, trials, tribulations, disappointments, failures,
mistakes, and finally success. This is the story of how a small community, Winchester and Frederick
County, moved and rebuilt a college and conservatory of music to a brand-new campus in Winchester
from 1955 to 1960 without state or federal help—just our own muscle and determination. “The
impossible task, a hopeless dream” would finally became a reality, thanks to the thousands of
Winchester, Frederick County, and Valley people who worked, strove, and contributed their time,
energy, and resources to a needed community facility.
Main Argument for Moving the College-Conservatory to Winchester. Shenandoah College and
Shenandoah Conservatory of Music’s territory, which was included in the EUB Virginia Conference,
was completely surrounded by more efficient colleges when centered in Dayton, Va., while there were
none near Shenandoah’s projected new home in Winchester. The adjoining West Virginia counties were
also included in the EUB Virginia Conference and were close to Shenandoah’s proposed new home in
Winchester. Practically all the delegates from these nearby counties were in favor of the move to
Winchester. The population of Winchester in 1955 was 15,000 with approximately 50,000 in the area.
Today (1982), the population of Winchester is approximately 22,000 with 100,000 in our area—a
successfully proven home for Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music.
3. Winchester Chamber of Commerce Acts, 1955-5639
The Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, at their official
monthly meeting on April 18, 1955, unanimously adopted a motion made by Tommy Kremer, and
seconded by McSherry Lupton, to approve the Shenandoah College move to Winchester as our main
project for 1955-56. In accordance with the motion, the Executive Committee officially appointed the
Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce “College Project Committee” to carry out their
motion. They confirmed the appointment of the following committee: James R. Wilkins, Chairman;
Marvin E. Gore, Co-Chairman; Wilbur Feltner; Voyne B. Omps; Kenneth C. Patton; Paul S. Vance;
Harold D. Patton; and Ben Belchic (later, other individuals were added to the committee). This
committee was given complete authority to proceed on behalf of the Winchester-Frederick County
Chamber of Commerce with the help of the Executive Committee, directors, and community leaders.
The College Project Committee performed its responsibilities and carried out its mandate in an
outstanding manner.
Coordination. In early 1955, a joint meeting of the Executive Committee of the Shenandoah
College Board of Trustees, the Chamber of Commerce College Project Committee, and representatives
of the EUB Church met to discuss, plan, and reach mutually satisfactory agreement on the many
problems involved in moving Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music to Winchester. This
meeting was held in the First EUB Church in Winchester and lasted all day. We reached a consensus
and adjourned with the determination to successfully complete the project.
Gaining Support in Dayton. During our discussions Dr. Brady said, “There is considerable
opposition in my area [Dayton] among the Board of Trustees, EUB Church officials, and local
organizations regarding Shenandoah College being moved.” Indeed, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham
County Chamber of Commerce launched a strong campaign of opposition in the local and Valley papers.
Attorney James Ruebush published several letters in the newspapers threatening to bring suit against the
City for giving away property and accusing Rev. Racey and me of various misrepresentations, along
39 [Wilkins 1985, pp. 46, 48-50, 56]. 37
Wilkins on History of S.C., 1952-1960
The following will outline the details of meetings, trials, tribulations, disappointments, failures,
mistakes, and finally success. This is the story of how a small community, Winchester and Frederick
County, moved and rebuilt a college and conservatory of music to a brand-new campus in Winchester
from 1955 to 1960 without state or federal help—just our own muscle and determination. “The
impossible task, a hopeless dream” would finally became a reality, thanks to the thousands of
Winchester, Frederick County, and Valley people who worked, strove, and contributed their time,
energy, and resources to a needed community facility.
Main Argument for Moving the College-Conservatory to Winchester. Shenandoah College and
Shenandoah Conservatory of Music’s territory, which was included in the EUB Virginia Conference,
was completely surrounded by more efficient colleges when centered in Dayton, Va., while there were
none near Shenandoah’s projected new home in Winchester. The adjoining West Virginia counties were
also included in the EUB Virginia Conference and were close to Shenandoah’s proposed new home in
Winchester. Practically all the delegates from these nearby counties were in favor of the move to
Winchester. The population of Winchester in 1955 was 15,000 with approximately 50,000 in the area.
Today (1982), the population of Winchester is approximately 22,000 with 100,000 in our area—a
successfully proven home for Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music.
3. Winchester Chamber of Commerce Acts, 1955-5639
The Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, at their official
monthly meeting on April 18, 1955, unanimously adopted a motion made by Tommy Kremer, and
seconded by McSherry Lupton, to approve the Shenandoah College move to Winchester as our main
project for 1955-56. In accordance with the motion, the Executive Committee officially appointed the
Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce “College Project Committee” to carry out their
motion. They confirmed the appointment of the following committee: James R. Wilkins, Chairman;
Marvin E. Gore, Co-Chairman; Wilbur Feltner; Voyne B. Omps; Kenneth C. Patton; Paul S. Vance;
Harold D. Patton; and Ben Belchic (later, other individuals were added to the committee). This
committee was given complete authority to proceed on behalf of the Winchester-Frederick County
Chamber of Commerce with the help of the Executive Committee, directors, and community leaders.
The College Project Committee performed its responsibilities and carried out its mandate in an
outstanding manner.
Coordination. In early 1955, a joint meeting of the Executive Committee of the Shenandoah
College Board of Trustees, the Chamber of Commerce College Project Committee, and representatives
of the EUB Church met to discuss, plan, and reach mutually satisfactory agreement on the many
problems involved in moving Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music to Winchester. This
meeting was held in the First EUB Church in Winchester and lasted all day. We reached a consensus
and adjourned with the determination to successfully complete the project.
Gaining Support in Dayton. During our discussions Dr. Brady said, “There is considerable
opposition in my area [Dayton] among the Board of Trustees, EUB Church officials, and local
organizations regarding Shenandoah College being moved.” Indeed, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham
County Chamber of Commerce launched a strong campaign of opposition in the local and Valley papers.
Attorney James Ruebush published several letters in the newspapers threatening to bring suit against the
City for giving away property and accusing Rev. Racey and me of various misrepresentations, along
39 [Wilkins 1985, pp. 46, 48-50, 56]. 37
Wilkins on History of S.C., 1952-1960
