Did You Know?

Did you know that Montreat has had three Winsborough buildings?  The initial building was dedicated in 1917 to serve as the Montreat home for the newly organized Women’s Auxiliary of the PCUS as well as a social gathering place.  It was named for Hallie Paxson Winsborough, an instrumental force in organizing the PCUS Women’s Auxiliary (1912) and its first superintendent.

The rustic building contained a small office and plenty of social space, including a wrap-around porch with rhododendron rails. It hosted weddings and receptions as well as less formal functions and became such a popular venue that the porch had to be expanded. 

By 1960 the building had fallen into considerable disrepair and was replaced by a less interesting but much safer building to be used for the same purpose. By the 1980s the site, located on the Montreat College campus, became the ideal location for the new Belk Student Center, which was completed in 1985.

However, the heritage of the Women’s Auxiliary and the significance of Mrs. Winsborough was too large to be ignored. Consequently, Groseclose Hall, constructed in 1937 as the World Fellowship Building and funded by the Women’s Auxiliary Birthday Offering that year, renamed in 1978 in honor of Jesse S. Groseclose, was renamed again for Hallie Paxson Winsborough. 

Thanks to the Presbyterian Heritage Center, especially Nancy Midgette, for this glimpse from the past. Stop by the PHC for even more Montreat history and so much more.