Roanoke Seminary (former site)

In the days of the one-room school house, there were still colleges and universities. How did graduates of these country schools get to college? One method was to pass an entrance exam. A second was to attend an intermediary school. In Indiana, provision was made to have county “seminaries” where this was to occur.

Unfunded by the state, a wide system of seminaries never developed. But, the Roanoke community residents were determined to better themselves and provide opportunities for area youth, so they engaged Professor Frederick S. Reffy to start the Roanoke Classical Seminary. He partnered with Mr. E. R. Benfer, and the first term opened in an old school house with 60 students.

Before the new school could be completed, a small tornado blew it to pieces. Fortunately, only one person was slightly injured. The community rallied to rebuild. But, as the Civil War began, plans for the building were scaled back. The end result was a smaller building. The school struggled the first few years, but as wounded, and then discharged soldiers returned to the area, it flourished.

Financial struggles intensified, and the school was brought under the United Brethren’s control, ostensibly as a feeder to Otterbein University. By 1888, the school operated as a Normal School (teacher preparation), but still financial issues grew. Finally, it was enticed by a large financial donation to move to North Manchester in 1889 where it was re-christened North Manchester College.

In 1892 the United Brethren used the building as a chapel for their growing congregation. Needing more space, they tore the building down in order to build a brick church. They laid the cornerstone for this building in 1902. Through a series of denominational mergers, the church became Seminary United Methodist in 1968.

1. History of Manchester University - https://www.manchester.edu/about-manchester/history – accessed 22 Dec 2020
2. Undated Herald-Press newspaper article – Lahr Binder 31 (Schools – County Bk 1), Huntington City-Township Public Library Keefer Center.
3. Roanoke Classical Seminary: “Athens of Indiana.” Four Corners Courier (Roanoke, Indiana), 7 Sep 1977.
4. History of Seminary United Methodist Church – http://roanokeseminarychurch.org/index.php/history-of-the-church – accessed 12 May 2021.