Willis D. Weatherford, Jr. Campus Christian Center (CCC)

Berea College has always nurtured the spiritual life of its community in a variety of ways. While categorized non-denominational, the school creates an inclusive Christian spirituality that has always promoted social justice in its many forms. During its earliest history, the College provided many opportunities for Christian education and spiritual development, requiring the participation of all students and faculty. Beginning with the founders of the College, several members of the faculty and administration, including five of the school’s nine presidents to date, also have been ordained ministers from several different Christian traditions and denominations. Through much of the College’s history, many of the ministerial members of the College’s faculty and administration led the community in worship and study of scriptures. For many decades, the president of the College even appointed a “College Preacher.” This person helped the school to fulfill its Christian commitment. Despite the important role of Christian faith in the founding, history and present mission of the College, the College does not regard itself as a church. It considers participation in any religious community or tradition completely voluntary for its students, staff and faculty. Although providing campus ministry in a variety of ways since its inception, the College formally the Campus Christian Center (CCC) in 1971. This was during the presidency of Willis D. Weatherford, Jr. President Weatherford secured a grant in 1970 from Mr. and Mrs. Eli Lilly. The grant became the endowment to support the work of this new department in the College. Weatherford gave this title to his proposal: “The Campus Christian Center – At the Heart of Great Commitments.” His proposal articulated the original vision that has guided the staff and work of the Center since its start. In Weatherford’s letter to Mr. and Mrs. Lilly, he requested a grant to establish the Campus Christian Center as a way to support the “new elements in spiritual emphasis.” The College had identified and affirmed these in its then recently-formulated Great Commitments. As an overview of this proposal, Weatherford described the Campus Christian Center as “an idea,” “not a place.” With the establishment of the Campus Christian Center, President Weatherford appointed Rev. J. Randolph Osborne as director. At the time, Rev. Osborne was Coordinator of Religious Life. The College then hired a second minister, Fr. Henry Parker, the first African-American minister to Berea College. He also hired a secretary, Ms. Glennis Walker, thus bringing the vision for the CCC to life. Weatherford placed the Campus Christian Center in the Danforth Chapel complex of the Draper Building. These offices remain there today.  The CCC was formally renamed the Willis D. Weatherford, Jr. Campus Christian Center in 2009.