UPSON COUNTY, GA - HISOTRY Montpelier Springs School - The Georgia Episcopal Institute

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
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Source: March 23, 1939  The Monroe Advertiser

MONTPELIER SPRINGS HISTORY SUBMITTED	

The following historical data in regard to a school
formerly conducted at Montpelier Springs is taken from
the "Charleston Gospel Messenger" and was sent to The
Advertiser by Mrs. Alexander S. Salley of Columbia,
S.C.

THE GEORGIA EPISCOPAL INSTITUTE.

This institution is at Montpelier Springs, being near
the center of the state, distant 16 miles from the city
of Macon, and 14 from Forsyth. The farm of 700 acres on
which it is located is the donation of a gentleman of
city of Savannah. [Note:another source identifies him
as: Col G.B. Lamar] 

Deed is on-line:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/monroe/deeds/hamlin.txt

This property has been conveyed to 13 trustees, laymen
in the church, with the Bishop of the Diocese, who is
ex-officio chairman of the Board  for the sole purpose
of Christian education, upon the principles of the
Protestant Episcopal Church.  It was opened on the 10th
day of May last  [1840], during a visit of the Bishop
of Georgia, and at commencement of the last term
numbered 19 pupils; 15 females and 4 males, with the
prospect of a large increase the present term, which
commenced on the 1st inst.

The system of instruction and discipline adopted has
given, it is understood, universal satisfaction to the
patrons of the school; and its friends entertain the
hope that with the blessing of God, it will soon be so
increased as to enable the trustees to build up a
separate establishment for boys on another part of the
property half a mile distant from the present one.

It seems from a communication in "The Guardian" to
which we are indebted for the above information that
"the venerable Bishop Chase" was the means under God,
while engaged in his indefatigable labor of love in
behalf of his own Diocese of establishing the Georgia
Episcopal Institute".

"In the month of March, 1840", we quote from the
communication just alluded to, "it pleased God to
direct the steps of the Bishop of Illinois to the city
of Savannah to unfold his benevolent vies for the good
of mankind to its citizens; and who became immediately
much interested in him and the object he had in view,
and cheerfully added their mite towards building up
Jubilee College. While in that city he strongly
solicited a liberal minded Christian, a gentleman of
large means, to endow a professorship for Jubilee
College. This gentleman feeling the great want in his
native state of an institution of learning of the
character approved by Bishop Chase said to him that if
his college was in Georgia he would give him $10,000,
the sum required.'

'Soon after leaving, the Bishop in company with a
friend who had listened to the conversation, this
friend proposed to him that if he would give $10,000
towards commencing an Episcopal Institute in Georgia
upon the Bishop's plan that he would, the Grace of God
permitting, undertake the work and devote his life to
it, which was promptly agreed to, and in consequence of
this undertaking this place, Montpelier Springs was
purchased, having upon it a large boarding house and
many conveniences for the accommodation of those
visiting the Springs. (it possesses some medicinal
properties) with about 700 acres of good farming land
surrounding it, which was put immediately in train of
cultivation."

The venerable Bishop must look back with high
satisfaction on his visit to Georgia; while he learns
that he was employed by Divine Providence in giving
existence to another -- a third institution, which we
trust will for ages prove a nursery of piety and
learning.

Southern Churchman