Mason's Texas Children: The Intersection of Faith and Education at Page Normal Industrial And Bible Institute

Mason's Texas Children: The Intersection of Faith and Education at Page Normal Industrial And Bible Institute

Are you ready to discover another aspect of African American church history? Mason's Texas Children: The Intersection of Faith and Education at Page Normal Industrial and Bible Institute is the story of the triumphs and struggles Texas Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) pioneers experienced while establishing and maintaining an educational facility in the early 20th century. The COGIC was founded in 1907 by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, a proponent of raising the black community's hopes and ideals through moral, spiritual and educational uplift as well as calls for social justice. Under his leadership, the Church sponsored at least three schools beginning in the early 20th century: Saints Industrial established by Pinky Duncan before turning it over to Professor James Courts and then led to prominence in the 50 year leadership of the formidable Arenia Conelia Mallory, Faith Home and Industrial School in Geridge, Arkansas led by Juste Bowe and Page Normal Industrial and Bible Institute. Empowered by the Holy Ghost, Mississippian Emory Morris Page entered Texas in 1914 and led Texas pioneers in increasingly progressive achievements: fervent evangelistic efforts saw thousands turning from sin and coming to relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, building one of the Church Of God In Christ's first State Headquarters and establishing Page Normal Industrial and Bible Institute. Pioneering educators and supporters amassed 268 acres for classrooms, dorms, cafeteria, chapel and Administration buildings to be constructed in Hearne, Texas. The school’s objective was to intersect faith and education which would help shape the lives of future church and community leaders. The book’s intent is to take an in depth look at Page Industrial within the context of the larger narrative surrounding Southern ex-slaves and sons and daughters of slaves as they continued to search for and realize opportunities afforded them through faith and an educated constituency. Day to day campus life included curriculum taught from preparatory classes to Bible Institute training, work/study assignments, the important agricultural studies, chapel, food drives and domestic arts training. In addition to reviewing documents and photos, the voices of one of the staff and students correct misinformation regarding the myth of the Church’s anti-educational stance. Mason's Texas Children contains eight well researched chapters beginning with The Black Quest for Literacy in America which traces attempts by the formerly enslaved to receive an education through freedmen schools and ends with Reflections on Church Of God In Christ Educational Efforts in the 21st Century.