website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Maranatha
Baptist Bible College
SACRED HEART CAMPUS SITE
NOW MARANATHA BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE
1968
Watertown Daily Times, 02 03
2001
Sacred
Heart and now Maranatha Baptist Bible
College have a long history and a close relationship with Watertown.
It was
in the fall of 1871 that the authorities of the Congregation of Holy Cross at
Notre Dame purchased the 65-acre site from Col. Henry Bertram who had purchased
it from Patrick Rogen. In addition to the land, the property consisted of a
large two-story residence of white brick and other smaller buildings. That was
the original school, and it later became a guest house.
One
year later, on Sept. 9, 1872, the facility opened as the University of Our Lady of Sacred Cross. The first
enrollment consisted of 27 students. The first president of the school was the Rev. William Corby, C.S.C., one of the original
founders.
The
institution grew rapidly, and before the end of the first semester there were
66 students, five of whom were living on campus. To accommodate the increasing
numbers the Provincial Council a year later approved construction of the
central section of the main building.
Father
Corby was a pretty busy man that year. At the same time he was leading this
construction project, he was also pastor of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, and
the huge structure now at the corner of Church and Main streets was being
constructed.
On May
25, 1874, the university was chartered by the state of Wisconsin, making the
college a fully recognized institution with the privilege of conferring degrees
in science arts and commerce.
Back
at that time the board of trustees of the university consisted of the Rev.
William Corby, president; the Rev. Patrick J. Colovin,
vice president; the Rev. John O'Connell, secretary; Bernard Smith, chancellor;
and John Crowley, treasurer.
Sacred
Heart College continued until 1886 when it was closed as a university by a
decree of the General Chapter of the Congregation of Holy Cross. At that time
it was converted to a normal school for the brothers as well as a preparatory
school for young men who aspired to become brothers.
This
new concept was short-lived, and in 1888 it was abandoned with 30 men planning
to become brothers transferred to the newly created St. Joseph Novitiate in
Notre Dame, Ind. At that point the school returned to being a university.
During
the next five years there was an ambitious building program. The entire east
wing was constructed in 1889. The northwest addition, which included the
refectory and chapel, was completed in 1891, and the southwest wing, which
housed the gymnasium and two bowling lanes, was constructed in 1894.
From
1888 to 1912 the school operated as a university, but it was closed that year
and once again it returned to the status of a normal school for young men who
planned to become brothers.
From
1928 to 1955 the school also operated a regular high school course of study
which was recognized by the University of Notre Dame. The graduates of that
normal school could then easily be accepted to Notre Dame to complete their
training as brothers.
The
school was operated just as the name indicates - as a military academy. The
young boys were taught strict discipline in addition to their academic and
religious studies. We can remember them dressed in military uniforms performing
various close order drills. They always looked pretty sharp as they went
through their drills on the campus.
These
young men came from all over the country and even some foreign countries. When
they completed their education here, they were well educated through the eighth
grade, well disciplined and well versed on the Bible.
Sacred
Heart continued with this mission until 1955 when it opened as a military
academy. It continued in that mission until 1968 when the Notre Dame officials
decided to move the school to Indiana and the buildings were put up for sale.
The
final class to graduate from Sacred Heart Military Academy consisted of 35
eighth-grade men. It was the 13th graduating class. The graduation took place
on Sunday afternoon, May 26, 1968, with over 700 well-wishers looking on. There
was a Mass at 10:45 a.m., a dinner for all of the guests at 11:30 a.m. and a
military review at 1:30 p.m.
That
review consisted of the honor drill platoon, drum corps and a competition drill
among the four platoons of the company. Declamation winners gave their
presentations, academic and citizenship awards were presented and diplomas were
issued to the 35 eighth-graders.
And by
the end of the day, the 17-member faculty, including the school's priest, had
completed their work, and the planned move to Indiana became the main order of
business.
It
didn't take long before Dr. B. Myron Cedarholm visited the site with a vision
of turning it into a Baptist Bible college, and by later that year the deal had
been consummated and Maranatha Baptist Bible College was born. Maranatha has a
rich history since that time. The list of improvements and new facilities on
the campus has been staggering since that time, and there is much more to come.
It's
kind of ironic that the brothers decided back in 1967 that the campus simply
needed too much money to make the facilities acceptable for the purpose
intended, but the Maranatha team a year later saw great opportunities when they
purchased the facility for what surely appeared as a bargain price of $150,000.
Since
that time Maranatha has expanded academically and is now an accredited college
offering bachelor's and master's degrees in a number of disciplines. It also operates a child care and preschool
and has plans for further expansions on the site and on some recently acquired
property just north of Main Street.
Maranatha also offers a full high school curriculum on the campus and
has enjoyed rising enrollments at both the high school and college levels. In
addition, the college has a close affiliation with Calvary Baptist Church which operates a
Christian elementary school. As a
result, children can be educated in the Baptist philosophy from preschool all
the way through a master's degree.
1968
07 30 MARANATHA
BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE OPENS
The new Maranatha Baptist Bible College
in Watertown, a co-educational college, will begin its first semester of
operation as a four-year college, granting the bachelor of arts degree, on
Tuesday, Sept. 10, according to its president, the Rev. Dr. Blaine Myron
Cedarholm. The board of trustees of the
college, nationally known pastors, evangelists, church leaders and educators
from across the nation, have purchased the beautiful 62.5 acre campus formerly
occupied by the Sacred Heart Military Academy.
Local numbers of the board of trustees are Pastor Charles R. Sanders,
Calvary Baptist Church, Watertown; Pastor Gale Schafer, Calvary Baptist Church,
Jefferson; and John McLario, attorney, Menomonee
Falls. WDT
08 28 WELCOME LUNCHEON
The new Maranatha Baptist Bible
College in Watertown, a co-educational college, will begin its first semester
of operation as a four year college, granting the bachelor of arts degree, on
Tuesday, Sept. 10, according to its president, the Rev. Dr. Blaine Myron
Cedarholm. The board of trustees of the
college, nationally known pastors, evangelists, church leaders and educators
from across the nation, have purchased the beautiful 62.5 acre campus formerly
occupied by the Sacred Heart Military Academy.
Local numbers of the board of trustees are Pastor Charles R. Sanders,
Calvary Baptist Church, Watertown; Pastor Gale Schafer, Calvary Baptist Church,
Jefferson; and John McLario, attorney, Menomonee
Falls. WDT
09 13 MARANATHA BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE DEDICATED
Maranatha
Baptist Bible College was dedicated on Saturday afternoon, with a large number of
persons from the local area, from Wisconsin and many other states in
attendance. Over 1,200 were present,
including 150 pastors. The dedication
program was held on the grounds in front of the main building. Dr. B. Myron
Cedarholm, president of the college, said the property consists of 62 1/2
acres, and was acquired for $160,500. He said he and the trustees are most
grateful for the opportunity to acquire the property for the establishment of
the college. WDT
1969
06 11 SIX DUPLEX HOMES TO BE CONSTRUCTED
1970
10 05 MARANATHA BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE FALL
FESTIVAL
The many festivities at the third
annual fall festival of Maranatha Baptist Bible College were five presentations
of the program "Whatever He Wants for Me."
Jack Trieber, Fremont, Calif.;
Herbert Pedigo, speech department; Dennis Karrow, Sterling, Ill., student
council president; Richard Burke, speech department; Mrs. B. Myron Cedarholm,
music department; Mrs. Herbert Pedigo, speech department; and Mrs. Richard Burke (standing), speech
department. A cast of 35 presented the
play.
1982
01 30 A new educational radio station run by Maranatha Baptist Bible
College may soon be operating in Watertown, if the college can secure a
construction permit from the Federal Communications Commission. If the permit is granted soon, Dr. Edward
Caughill said, construction of a studio and transmitter on the campus will
begin as soon as the weather allows. The
station, said Caughill, Maranatha business manager, will serve both to provide
a laboratory for training of students and as an outlet for the college. Types of programming will probably range from
chapel services at Maranatha to national religious programs, along with
classical and religious music. WDT
1983
05 15 Dr. Arno Q. Weniger Jr. named
president, succeeded Dr. B. Myron Cedarholm
WDT
08 14 College opens its 16th year with Dr.
Arno Q. Weniger Jr. as new president WDT
08 16 Dr. B. Myron Cedarholm, outgoing
president, founder and new chancellor, honored
WDT
10 17 Doug Dupre, school sophomore, received
reward WDT
1987
04 05 FOUNDER’S DAY
CELEBRATION
Maranatha Baptist Bible College
will be celebrating its Founder’s Day on Friday. MBBC was founded by Dr. B. Myron Cedarholm on
July 1, 1968. He proceeded to build and
guide the college through 15 years of service as its president. Dr. Cedarholm desired to direct students into
full-time Christian service. Dr.
Cedarholm started Maranatha’s Graduate School of Theology back in 1970, and
three years later he founded the Maranatha Baptist Academy. In the fall of 1983, Dr. Cedarholm turned
over the presidency to present leader, Dr. Arno Q. Weniger Jr., who left his
19-year pastorate of Calvary Baptist Church in Normal, Ill. Dr. Cedarholm now serves as chancellor of the
college.
1993
02 27 ACCREDITATION
RECEIVED
Maranatha Baptist Bible College
officials learned Thursday afternoon their school has received accreditation —
a status which will open many doors, the vice president for academic affairs
said. The college, in its 25th year,
began seeking accreditation two years ago.
In an unusually short period of time, the school has gained approval
from the North Central Association, one of the main accrediting bodies in the
United States, said Dr. John Brock.
Staff and students broke into applause when told of the accreditation
this morning.
1994
09 06 RECORD ENROLLMENT
A record number of students have
enrolled at Maranatha Baptist Bible College for the fall semester. More than
605 students are enrolled in the college and 83 are enrolled in the academy,
which is for students in grades nine through 12. According to the college, this
fall’s enrollment is the largest recorded in the past 12 years under the
leadership of Dr. Arno Q. Weniger Jr., Maranatha president. Two of the
college’s new students are from Moldova, formerly part of the Soviet Union.
1995
08 24 GROWTH PROVIDES
OPPORTUNITIES
Growth at Maranatha Baptist Bible
College could provide more opportunities for the Watertown business
community. The college invited Watertown
business leaders to an informal breakfast meeting at the campus to discuss
Maranatha’s plans and how they could affect local businesses. President Dr. Amo Q. Weniger said the college
is expecting tremendous growth in enrollments.
One year ago, enrollments at Maranatha increased by 21 percent to 625
students. When students arrive for the
start of classes this week, school officials expect the school’s total
enrollment to increase to about 725, based upon the number of applications from
new students.
1996
08 30 New $2.4 million new
library dedicated WDT
1998
08 16 Dr. Arno Q. Weniger Jr., college
president, resigned after 15 years WDT
12 15 Dr. David Jaspers appointed new
college president WDT
1999
05 05 Dr. David Jaspers inaugurated third college president WDT
10 16 Students clean up downtown area WDT
2000
03 29 Proposal to build preschool and day-care
center WDT
05 05 To build a preschool and day-care center WDT
05 25 Proposal to build 73-bed men's dormitory WDT
2001
01 14 Maranatha is looking to
the past to prepare its students for the future. Seventy-two rare first and early-edition
books from as early as the 15th century are being used as learning tools to
educate students about liberty and the principles on which this country was
founded. As a hands-on history lesson,
Maranatha has contracted with The Remnant Trust Inc. to display books on loan
from a collection called The Wisdom of the Ages Athenaeum. The exhibit will be on display starting today
through May 4 on campus in the Heritage Room of the Cedarholm Memorial Library
and Resource Center. WDT
08 19 Maranatha has been
approved to participate in the Academic Quality Improvement Project of the
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools. Moving beyond the boundaries of
traditional accreditation, the quality improvement project model is designed to
align accreditation with Maranatha’s program of continuous quality improvement
in order to meet the rapidly shifting needs of educational institutions in the
21st century. By joining this program,
Maranatha is demonstrating a willingness to identify concrete targets for
continuous improvement and to hold itself accountable for re-engineering its
processes and operations to improve the results and activities for itself and
for its students. WDT
2002
08 17 More than 40 community
leaders attended the annual Breakfast for the Business Community this morning
at Maranatha Baptist Bible College.
Approximately 800 students are enrolled at the college for this fall,
compared to 791 last year. The college’s
enrollment has increased each year for the past three years, Dr. David Jaspers,
president of Maranatha, said. He shared
the challenges the college faces in the near future. Plans are being discussed to construct a new
$3.1 million dining hall on the north side of campus. Modular classrooms would be taken down to
make room for the building. The present
dining facility was expanded in 1988 when enrollment was 465. The current dining area would be made
remodeled into classrooms. WDT
2003
08 15 As enrollment figures continue to reach record numbers, Maranatha
Baptist Bible College plans to expand to meet the demands. Dr. Dave Jaspers,
president of the college, told several business representatives this morning
about plans to break ground for a new science building next spring. The new facility would be located north of
the gymnasium. It will be necessary to
raze the current modular homes located on the site for construction of the new
building. Jaspers said plans are to
begin taking down the old structures in April with groundbreaking for the new
building in early spring. The college is
still aggressively raising funds for a $3.1 million dining hall for the
students, Jaspers said.
2004
03 14 Watertown officials got a glimpse at the future of the city’s west
side on Monday. Representatives from
Maranatha Baptist Bible College went before the site plan review committee with
a preliminary overview of the college’s long-term plans for campus
development. Maranatha expects
enrollment to climb over 1,000 within the next decade, prompting a need for
more parking and additional facilities.
Over the next 10 years, the college plans to add or move about 950
parking stalls and will construct or renovate six buildings. The first phase of the project will begin
this summer, when two temporary structures are removed to make way for a new
6,600-square-foot science building. Work
is expected to begin on a new 40,000-square-foot dining commons in autumn. The structure will also house 10 classrooms.
08 12 Maranatha Baptist Bible College broke ground Thursday afternoon
for a new, $4.7 million dining commons that will total 43,000 square feet over
two floors. The two-story building will
replace a 182-seat dining room with one that seats almost 400 people and will
include eight new state-of the art classrooms and two computer labs. The dining commons is scheduled for
completion by next July and will be ready for use in fall of 2005.
08 14 Maranatha Baptist Bible College will be offering a nursing program
with the start of the 2005 school year, college officials announced at today’s
business community breakfast. The
nursing program is just one of the many changes being made at the campus in
Watertown. Two years ago the board of
trustees approved the nursing program, Brock said. Beginning with the 2005 term, the college
will offer a Bachelor of Arts program in nursing, along with a Bachelor of
Science degree program.
2005
05 27 PLAN FOR NEW COFFEE SHOP
The Watertown Site Plan Review Committee
has approved a concept plan for a new coffee shop near Maranatha Baptist Bible
College after the panel made a few revisions.
The cafe, Sweet Bitter Brew, would be located at 838 W. Main St. Owner Paul Phelps is proposing to raze the
existing building on the property and to build a new structure with an outside
patio area. To approve the concept plan,
the committee recommended to Phelps the driveway used to enter should be
narrowed to one lane with some additional landscaping. They noted the exit drive should also be one
lane wide. Parking on the street was
discouraged by the panel because of visibility problems. The parking lot will hold close to 10 cars.
08 05 NEW DINING COMMONS FACILITY
Maranatha Baptist Bible College held a
ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of the new dining commons facility that was
completed the beginning of August.
Maranatha’s annual community business breakfast preceded the ceremony. “We’re thrilled to have the enhanced facility
that is worthy of the wonderful food program we’ve had for the past few years,”
Dr. Dave Jaspers, president, said. The
42,000-square-foot building cost about $5.6 million, seats about 400 for dining
and has 10 classrooms in the lower level. The arch-like architecture and outside brick
match the other campus buildings and a number of windows overlook the campus
football field.
12 21 CHRISTMAS CAROLING: String Preparatory
Program students
Thirty Maranatha String Preparatory
Program students went Christmas caroling with violins, violas and cellos for
those at the Watertown Hospital, local nursing homes and other locations. The
traditional sounds of “Carol of the Bells,” “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night,”
and other favorite Christmas songs echoed through the high-ceilinged lobby as
the group of children, ranging from the age of 5 to 15, performed for hospital
patients in wheelchairs, visitors and employees. The group then divided into
smaller groups and traveled with parents and string instructors to various
destinations, including Highland Village, Highland Terrace, Beverly Terrace,
Marquardt Village, and seven area homes. Anna, a resident at Beverly Terrace,
showed her appreciation by singing along as the string group played “Silent
Night.”
2006
08 08 MARANATHA CAREER SERVICES
Maranatha Career Services is offering a
new online program to connect students at the college and academy with
Watertown businesses. The new program
was announced at this morning’s annual business community breakfast held on the
campus. About 50 Watertown businesses
were represented as John Davis, director of alumni affairs, discussed the new
placement service. “We are thankful for
the partnership we have with the business community,” Davis said.
08 09 DAY HALL DEDICATED
Maranatha Baptist Bible College will
dedicate its newest women’s dorm, Day Hall, Friday at 1:30 p.m. This ceremony, which includes light
refreshments, is open to the public and will honor Priscilla Day, a 1973 alumna
of Maranatha. In addition to attending
Maranatha, Day worked for nine years as the personal nurse and caregiver to
Marilyn Hilsen Weniger, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1968 and
was the wife of Maranatha’s second president, Dr. Arno Q. Weniger.
05 01 Dr. CHUCK
PHELPS
The Board of
Trustees of Maranatha Baptist Bible College has selected Dr. Chuck Phelps as
the fourth president of Maranatha.
Phelps comes to Maranatha from Trinity Baptist Church in Concord, N.H.,
where he has served as the senior pastor since 1989. Under his leadership, the church has grown
remarkably and has been instrumental in assisting in the opening of new
churches in New England. Interim
president Dr. Larry Oats said he is looking forward to having Dr. Phelps’
leadership in training students and shaping lives.
Cross
Reference: Dr. Chuck Phelps selected as the
fourth president of Maranatha. WDTimes story
08 09 Dr. CHUCK PHELPS
Maranatha Baptist Bible College’s new
president, Dr. Chuck Phelps, of New Hampshire, greeted local business owners
this morning at the college’s annual business community breakfast. “We have a bumper crop enrollment this year
and the credit goes to the stability of this institution and the work of the
staff and faculty to fulfill the founder’s vision,” Phelps said. “There’s something in Watertown that draws
students here from over 40 states. This
college is a conservative, traditional, Bible-based, gospel preaching school
that people need.” Phelps and his wife,
Linda, come to Maranatha from Trinity Baptist Church in Concord, N.H., where he
has served as the senior pastor since 1989.
Under his leadership, the church has grown and has helped in opening new
churches in New England.
09 29 ROTC
Maranatha
Baptist Bible College has an independent senior ROTC detachment. Last year the Maranatha Cadets trained with
the Whitewater detachment. Maranatha
College is an ROTC partnership school with University of
Wisconsin-Madison. The detachment is
designated as Charlie (C) Company of the Badger Battalion. The detachment consists of 14 cadets. The group conducts physical training around
the campus area on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
2009
08 22 NEW MARANATHA
BAPTIST SEMINARY
During its
annual business community breakfast this morning, leaders of Maranatha Baptist
Bible College announced the new Baptist seminary that will be offered on the
Watertown campus. The Maranatha Baptist
Seminary will provide seminary theological training with an emphasis on
academic and practical guidance from instructors experienced in ministry.
The Master of
Divinity program at Maranatha will include biblical languages, church history,
pastoral theology, biblical studies and theological studies. A student may select an emphasis in biblical
counseling, biblical languages, cross-cultural studies, New Testament, Old
Testament, pastoral theology or theology.
The accredited seminary degree can prepare a student for preaching
ministry as a pastor, missionary, military chaplain, evangelist or Bible
teacher.
09 25 FIFTH
PRESIDENT NAMED
Dr. S. Martin
“Marty” Marriott, currently senior pastor at Faith Baptist Church of Warren,
Mich., has been named the fifth president of Maranatha Baptist Bible
College. He will take office during the
2010 spring semester. Marriott will replace Dr. Charles Phelps, who announced
in May he would not be returning to the position for the fall semester. Phelps served as president since 2007.
2010
03 18 Dr. MARTY MARRIOTT, FIFTH PRESIDENT OF MARANATHA
Dr. Marty
Marriott installed as the fifth president of Maranatha Baptist Bible
College and Seminary during ceremonies on March 18.
The
longtime board of trustees member and former senior pastor at Faith
Baptist Church of Warren, Mich., began his new ministry in early
January. He replaced Dr. Charles Phelps who had served as president
since 2007.
Marriott,
56, received a doctor of divinity degree from Maranatha in
2007. He previously earned a bachelor of arts degree from
Maranatha in Bible and pastoral studies in 1976 and a master of arts in
biblical studies and languages in 1977. He also earned a master
of divinity from Temple Baptist Theological Seminary in 1979 and a
bachelor of science degree in business management from Liberty University in
1990.
His
pastoral experience dates back to 1979, when a Bible study he started
in Oak Ridge, Tenn., led to the founding of the Oak Ridge Baptist
Church. Marriott was pastor of that church until 1988, and
also from 1993 to 1997. He was also pastor of First Baptist
Church of Lock Haven, Pa., from 1988 to 1993 and Faith Baptist of Warren from
1997 to the present.
Marriott
has served as a Maranatha board member since 1998. He also serves on
the boards of Baptist World Mission, the Independent Fundamental Baptist
Association of Michigan and the Michigan Association of Christian Schools.
Marriott and
his wife, Miriam, met at Maranatha in 1974. They have been married for 33 years
and have three grown children. All three children are in full-time
Christian ministry. WDT
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MARANATHA BAPTIST
BIBLE COLLEGE
BECOMES
MARANATHA
BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
2013
12 13 MARANATHA PRESS
RELEASE
A
three-year strategic initiative to “make the message plain” has culminated in
the official name change of Maranatha Baptist Bible College to Maranatha
Baptist University.
Maranatha
Baptist University offers 31 majors, 34 minors, 4 associate programs, and a
Master of Education degree through the College of Arts and Sciences (which
includes the Departments of Applied Science, Humanities, and Music), the
College of Bible and Church Ministries, the School of Business, the School of
Nursing and the School of Education.
2014 MBU STUDENTS KAYAK entire Rock River.
WDTimes
article.
07 30 MBU LANDSCAPING PROJECT fronting Old
Main 
Image
Portfolio
Built in four stages over 21 years beginning in
1873, the four-story Old Main building dominates the campus.
2019
10 28 17th BEST COLLEGE IN THE STATE
SR Education Group, a leading education
research publisher founded in 2004, has just released their 2020 rankings for
the best online colleges and reported Maranatha Baptist University of Watertown
the 17th best college in the state.
Maranatha’s annual tuition is $13,760 with a median salary of
$45,000. The college offers six online
associate degrees, four online bachelor’s degrees, and 19 online master’s
degrees.
2022
01 24 MONTY AND FRANCES LOUISE BUDAHL
2024
April WATERTOWN NATIVE NATE OATS HAS
ALABAMA IN ITS FIRST FINAL FOUR
Final Four, WI
State Journ article
Final Four, CBS
58 video
11 10 HANNAH GLASS. 2005-2024
11 23 OLD MAIN EXPLORED
by Matt Davis and Tim McPhillips (video
clip)
Cross References:
Sacred Heart [University of Our Lady of Sacred Cross]
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin