The History of McKendree University
By: Kristina Ferry & Jasmine Gage
Images retrieved from the McKendree University website
McKendree University is one of the oldest universities in the nation and the oldest university in Illinois as it was founded in 1828. McKendree also holds the title of being the oldest university in the nation to have ties with the Methodist Church. However, this would not come as a big surprise to anyone who knows the past of this historic university.
To those who are unaware, the university was founded by Methodist pioneers and was originally called Lebanon Seminary. This seminary trained priests and ministers in the Methodist faith for a couple of years under Edward Raymond Ames, a Methodist bishop and the namesake of the dining hall on campus. Later, a bishop by the name of William M...