Guide to the Westminster College histories

The Salt Lake Collegiate Institute (1875-1910): The Salt Lake Collegiate Institute was founded by First Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City and opened April 12, 1875 in the basement of the church. In 1896 the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions assumed ownership and administrative control of the institute, and maintained operations until 1910, when it transferred the property to Westminster College. By the 1902-1903 school year the Institute had already become the "Preparatory Department" of Westminster College.

The May 1884 meeting minutes of the Board of Trustees of the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute includes the following names: Eli B. Kelsey, Chairman, Henry W. Lawrence, Trustee, Benjamin G. Ray, Trustee, and Thomas Armstrong, Secretary.

In one letter Robert G. McNiece, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church and chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Collegiate Institute, asks Sweazey to consider becoming principal so that the Collegiate Institute and Westminster College might be "closer to being one." In 1910, ownership of the Institute was transferred to the Board of Trustees of Westminster College

Sheldon Jackson College, Salt Lake City, Utah (1895-1901): Sheldon Jackson College in Salt Lake City, Utah was chartered in 1895 and opened 1897 on the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute campus. The one and only commencement was held on June 4, 1901. The Board of Trustees approved a name change to "Westminster College" on Feb. 6, 1902. Sheldon Jackson and his wife signed an agreement to the name change on April 25, 1902.

In late March, 1892, the Presbytery of Utah, in planning for a possible college in Utah, elected a Board of Trustees for the proposed college, consisting of five ministers (Rev. S.E. Wishard of Ogden, Rev. G.W. Martin of Manti, Rev. Josiah McClain of Nephi, Rev. C.M. Shepherd of Springville, and Rev. R.G. McNiece of Salt Lake City) and four laymen (Col. W.M. Ferry of Park City, F.E. Gregg and Frank E. Pierce of Salt Lake City, and W.I. Brown of Nephi). Robert G. McNiece was named President (Chairman) of the Board, Rev. McClain, Secretary, and Gill S. Peyton was appointed Treasurer. A committee was formed to begin drafting by-laws and a constitution for the proposed college.

In August, 1892 the Board proposed the name "Salt Lake College". In April and May, 1893, the Board examined four locations proposed for the campus; Ogden was considered especially attractive, but further study returned the Board to its original resolution to locate in Salt Lake City, and this was confirmed.

By August, 1896, with support from Sheldon Jackson, the college was named "Sheldon Jackson College" and the Board of Trustees under this name held its first meeting in Salt Lake City. The first order of business was to elect a President, and General John Eaton of Washington City was chosen.

In a letter dated May 1898 to Mrs. Jeanette H. Ferry, Robert G. McNiece mentions the plan to consolidate Sheldon Jackson College and the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute and informs Ferry that both Dr. Eaton and Dr. Jackson have given their approval.

In 1902, William Montague Ferry (1824-1905), a trustee of Westminster College, would step in and provide the college with the funding it desperately needed, buying the property that the campus currently occupies in the Sugar House area of Salt Lake City.

Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah (1902- ): Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah came into official existence as an educational institution when the Board of Trustees approved a name change on Feb. 6, 1902 from the earlier name, Sheldon Jackson College. For a few years, the letterhead on Westminster College stationery included the notation "formerly Sheldon Jackson College". College classes were suspended 1909-1913 but resumed in 1914. In 1975, Westminster College celebrated its centennial.

This collection consists various articles from Utah newspapers, Presbyterian magazines, and historical journals, a thesis, and other writings about the history of Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah. The materials date from 1897-1975. While the earliest writings document the founding of the College, the later ones recognize the College's centennial year.

Restrictions on Access:

Open to public research.

Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Twenty-four hours advance notice is encouraged.

Restrictions on Use:

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material must be obtained from the director of the Giovale Library.

Preferred Citation:

Westminster College histories, 1897-1975, ACC-185, Giovale Library Archives, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by author's name.

Processing Note:

Processed January 2010 by Patricia Lyn Scott.

Creator:

Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)

Language:

Collection materials are in English.

Quantity:

0.3 linear feet

Language of the Finding Aid:

English.

Author of the Finding Aid:

Finding aid written January 2010 by Patricia Lyn Scott; expanded January 2014 by Sarah Shaw.

EAD Creation Date:

2014 January 23 by Sarah Shaw

Standard:

Describing Archives : A Content Standard (DACS)

Subarea:

Related Material:

Related collections and photographs in Giovale Library Archives:

• Emil Nyman Westminster College Library Archivist's writings, circa 1965-1995 (ACC-085B)
• Westminster College anniversary records, 1922-1975 (ACC-095)
• Photograph of Salt Lake Collegiate Institute graduating class, 1882
• Photograph of John McCutcheon Coyner
• Photograph of Salt Lake Collegiate Institute students and teachers, 1908-1910
• Photograph of Westminster College football squad, 1916
• Photograph of Converse Hall fire of March 12, 1926
• Aerial view of Westminster College campus
• Photograph of Westminster College Chorus, 1962-1963
• Photograph of 1975 Founder's Day--birthday cake cutting
• Photograph of Westminster College Commencement, May 1979 (with Emil Nyman pictured)

Corporate Names:

Salt Lake Collegiate Institute--Anniversaries, etc.
Salt Lake Collegiate Institute--History--Sources
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--Anniversaries, etc.
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--Centennial celebrations, etc.
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--History--Sources

Subject Terms:

Mormon Church--Relations--Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church--Relations--Mormon Church
Presbyterian universities and colleges--Utah--Salt Lake City--History
Special events--Utah--Salt Lake City
Universities and colleges--Utah--Salt Lake City--History

Form or Genre Terms:

Articles
Histories
Theses

Personal Names:

Best, Nolan Rice, 1871-1930
Buzza, David Evans
Coyner, John McCutcheon, 1827-1908
Faris, Paul Patton, 1877-1960
Nyman, Emil, 1892-1982
Vinatieri, Joseph A.
Young, Marlene M.

Geographical Names:

Salt Lake City (Utah)--History--Sources