National Register of Historic Places

Old Main, Almira College

Greenville, Bond County, Illinois
Listed
April 20, 1975
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
75000638

About this property

Greenville University is a private university in Greenville, Illinois, United States. It is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church. Established as Greenville College in 1892, the institution was renamed Greenville University in 2017. In 1855, Stephen Morse and Almira Blanchard founded a college for women, Almira College, which shared an affiliation with Baptists, and educated young women. A change in leadership, affiliation, and organization occurred in 1892. At that time, the Central Illinois Conference of the Free Methodist Church purchased the property of Almira College and named it Greenville College. The institution was restructured to offer a co-educational experience. The institution was also incorporated as an independent college under the leadership of the Free Methodist Church. Greenville College was renamed Greenville University in 2017. Students attending Greenville University are expected to adhere to a lifestyle that is codified and asks that the student agree to certain principles that the school calls "Christ-honoring", outlined in a document known as the Lifestyle Statement. Violations of the lifestyle statement are handled through a grace-based system which seeks to help students recover from any negative effects (e.g. addiction, emotional distress) and rehabilitate them to live according to what they believe is Christ's purpose for their life. The Lifestyle Statement exists to keep the GU community accountable for having a healthy lifestyle that keeps the individual in line with God's redemptive plan. It includes instructions for all students to avoid: "backbiting, cheating, dishonesty, drunkenness, gossip, immodesty of dress, lying, occult practices, profanity, sexual promiscuity (including adultery, homosexual behavior, pre-marital sex), theft, and vulgarity (including crude language)." Other actions that students must agree to refrain from, both while on and away from campus, include: "the use of tobacco in any form, alcoholic beverages, hallucinogenic drugs and substances (including marijuana), or narcotics not authorized by a physician", gambling, and using or possessing pornography. And, in keeping with the institution's focus on Christian principles, the document states: "Members of the community are to observe the Lord's Day (Sunday) as a day set apart primarily for worship, fellowship, ministry, and rest." These principles are set in place to hold students accountable for creating a learning environment that intends to stands out from other universities and offer unique benefits to the health and well-being of the student. Greenville University states that it is committed to providing support without judgment to anyone suffering from any kind of problem, addiction, or mental illness. Struggling students are often encouraged to receive counseling or meet with a mentor in order to provide professional support as they attempt to make lifestyle changes.

Location

315 E. College St.
Greenville, Bond County, Illinois
38.89399, -89.40529

Categories

EDUCATIONARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Greenville Public Library
Industrial
0.6 mi
Vandalia Statehouse
Industrial
16.8 mi
Little Brick House
Industrial
17.1 mi
First Presbyterian Church
Industrial
17.4 mi
Blackman, George, House
Industrial
18.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Old Main, Almira College listed on the National Register?

Old Main, Almira College was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 20, 1975.

What type of historic resource is Old Main, Almira College?

Old Main, Almira College is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Old Main, Almira College?

The period of significance for Old Main, Almira College is recorded as the industrial era.

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