Founding of Hanover College Hanover, Indiana

john finley crowe, founder of hanover college

john finley crowe born in greene county, tennessee , grew in tennessee , missouri. grew in presbyterian household, although not religious. however, after meeting presbyterian elders had moved north carolina area in missouri, crowe became interested in pursuing religious education. attended transylvania college in lexington, kentucky, , continued education @ princeton theological seminary in princeton, new jersey. after completing masters of divinity in 1815, crowe accepted first ministerial assignment in shelbyville, kentucky. while there, crowe became actively involved in abolitionist movement. established sunday school african-american children, although not find location in area permit such school meet. on may 7, 1822, began publication of abolition intelligence , missionary magazine. crowe s abolitionist sympathies alienated him slave-holding neighbors, , not long before lost access printing press.

residence of john finley crowe in hanover, listed on national register of historic places

on april 2, 1823, john m. dickey, moderator of church session seated williamson dunn , george logan elders, sent letter crowe inviting him serve @ hanover presbyterian church. sickened increasingly hostile attitude of neighbors in kentucky towards abolitionist views, crowe accepted position, relieved move state possession of slaves illegal. shortly after arrival in hanover, crowe began construction of residence, known today crowe-garritt house. located north of present-day hanover presbyterian church, crowe-garritt house added national register of historical places in 1980.

soon after arrival @ hanover presbyterian church, crowe began petitioning church members sponsor founding of seminary. while congregants reluctant @ first take on task, prevailed, , religious school opened in hanover on january 1, 1827. initially, classes met in presbyterian church s old stone church building, located in present-day area of hanover firehouse. within year, however, school had outgrown location, , williamson dunn donated land construction of new college edifice. in 1829, state of indiana granted charter hanover academy, while presbyterian synod of indiana recognized theological segment of school indiana seminary. while hanover academy grew exponentially on ensuing years, seminary stagnated; 2 entities split in 1836, , in 1841 seminary moved new albany, indiana. ultimately, faced money problems , split amongst students on issue of slavery, in 1859 seminary once again moved, time reopening mccormick theological seminary in chicago, illinois. meanwhile, hanover academy in 1833 received charter state of indiana form college name of hanover college.