Did You Know?

Missionary Commissioning in Montreat

If you spent much time in Montreat during the summers from 1944-1982, you probably remember the missionary families who were here for training before departing for the mission field. Their commissioning ceremony, held on the closing night of the World Missions Conference, was a highlight of the summer. You probably also ventured into the World Missions Building (now the Way Out), where each room offered exhibits depicting life in the various mission fields of the PCUS.

Missionaries had been coming to Montreat since the first ecumenical Mission Conference, held in 1901. Beginning in 1907, the Mission conferences were sponsored by the PCUS and missionaries on furlough attended every year, offering insightful lectures to attendees and conducting small classes for future missionaries.  Geneva Hall was constructed in 1913 particularly to house missionaries and other church workers. During World War II more missionaries than ever attended since they had been forced to return home (especially those in Asia). 

Beginning in 1944, the missionary orientation program coalesced in Montreat and became more formal. In 1945, an important addition was a course in phonetics and linguistics. The armed forces had discovered that the science of language study was a critical element to teaching specific languages to individuals in a relatively short amount of time. That year, in a 17-day program, the appointees spent two hours each day studying phonetics, two hours focusing on the language of their target country, and an additional hour in more general orientation.  Within a few years the Institute grew to six weeks, and then to seven, with greatly expanded content.

The World Mission Conference in the early 1960’s attracted over 1,000 people. Gradually, though, registration dropped; only 408 people registered in 1980. The format of the conference began to shift, focusing more on world issues and less on the role of missionaries. Fewer missionaries at home on furlough attended. The old format of the conference simply didn’t work and reunification in 1983 dictated significant reassessment across all the work of the church. Missionary training was relocated to different cities around the US and the commissioning ceremony shifted to the annual meeting of the General Assembly.

Thanks to the Presbyterian Heritage Center, especially Nancy Midgette, for this glimpse from the past. Stop by the PHC for additional Montreat missionary history and so much more. Have an idea for a future “Did You Know?”? Let Nancy know at midgette@elon.edu.