1914-1922: In the beginning . . .
The first year, the General Assembly's Training School for Lay Workers was located in downtown Richmond, Virginia, near Second Presbyterian Church. The building was brand new in 1914 and is still in use today.
Excerpted from the first publication of ATS:
“One whole floor of the New Publication Building, Nos. 6-8 North Sixth Street, has been devoted to the Training School. Class rooms, office, kitchenette, etc. have been fitted up in comfortable style, and for the present are adequate for its need. The old Y. W. C. A. gymnasium on South Fourth Street, has been lent the school, free of rent, for neighborhood work among the women and children. This Neighborhood Center affords the students opportunity to visit, instruct, organize, and develop those whom they can interest in the work.
Shop meetings, Sunday school teaching, street meetings, mission services, give the students abundant opportunity to learn to exercise their gifts in actual Christian work. A comfortable boarding house, under Christian management, where a wholesome Christian atmosphere will be maintained, will be opened and operated next session. Every effort will be made to make the home life of the student as pleasant as possible.”
Click on images to enlarge them.
Excerpted from the first publication of ATS:
“One whole floor of the New Publication Building, Nos. 6-8 North Sixth Street, has been devoted to the Training School. Class rooms, office, kitchenette, etc. have been fitted up in comfortable style, and for the present are adequate for its need. The old Y. W. C. A. gymnasium on South Fourth Street, has been lent the school, free of rent, for neighborhood work among the women and children. This Neighborhood Center affords the students opportunity to visit, instruct, organize, and develop those whom they can interest in the work.
Shop meetings, Sunday school teaching, street meetings, mission services, give the students abundant opportunity to learn to exercise their gifts in actual Christian work. A comfortable boarding house, under Christian management, where a wholesome Christian atmosphere will be maintained, will be opened and operated next session. Every effort will be made to make the home life of the student as pleasant as possible.”
Click on images to enlarge them.
On November 4, 1914 ATS began on the 4th floor of this building.
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ATS had several classrooms, an office, and kitchenette. Pictured is the Rev. William Megginson, dean and professor of Christian doctrine with his secretary.
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The first class. Teaching, Rev. W. M. Hutchinson, professor of Christian sociology. Pictured in the 1st row right to left (2nd man) is Dr. A.L. Phillips (one of the founders) and at end of 1st row, Rev. William Megginson, dean; pictured in the 2nd row are the 3 first graduates (they all graduated in 1916): right to left George Lucius Newton, Lucy Winston Paine, an unknown student and Ala Deane Smith
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Enrollments for the 1914-15 Academic year. Only three of the diploma students graduated in 1916.
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1915-1922: Moving to Ginter Park
The second year, ATS rented 518 Chamberlayne Avenue (which is currently where Presbytery of the James resides). The first floor was used for classrooms and the second floor was the dormitory. The address of the school and offices of the school were in Dr. Walter Lingle's home, 610 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, VA. The enrollment was nearly double that of the previous year. By 1917, ATS had secured 517 Seminary Avenue and by 1919, 507 Seminary Avenue. The enrollment increased so much that by 1920 ATS was using 5 residences - two on Chamberlayne, two on Seminary and one on Hawthorne. Three are now residences, one the Presbytery of the James and one is no longer standing. Click on photos to enlarge pictures.
Faculty
1915-16 Faculty
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1921-22 Faculty
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President W. L. Lingle
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Rev. M. Ryerson Turnbull, D.D.
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Miss Elizabeth McE. Shields
Rev. William Meggison, Dean
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Miss Katharine Heath Hawes
Rev. O. E. Buchholz
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click image to see more pictures and learn more
Students - The first three graduates
The first graduation was held at Second Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA, on May 18, 1916.
Click on either photo to read about these graduates.
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Lucy Winston Paine of Jackson, MS; and
Ala Deane Smith of The Hollow, VA
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George Lucius Newton of Powhatan, VA
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Click an image or text to view more 1914-1922 memorabilia from the UPSem Library Archives.
Founders of ATS
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Class Photos, 1917-1922
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Campus Life, 1914-1922
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1915-1922 Catalogs
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Practical Work Assignments
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Publications & Articles,
1914 - 1922
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