RELIGION Student Reflections on Religion at PMSS

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 31: RELIGION
Student Reflections on Religion at PMSS
Boarding School Years 1940s

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STUDENT REFLECTIONS ON RELIGION AT PMSS
in the Boarding School Years

TAGS: student writings, Chapel, religious practice, Community religion, churches, church services, joining a church, preachers, reflections, Vespers, WWII

INTRODUCTION

The following are the brief responses of students to a series of questions posed by the instructor of the Civics class. The questions are related to the non-compulsory and non-sectarian meditative services offered each Sunday evening in the Chapel at Pine Mountain Settlement School in the late 1940s. The services often referred to as “Vespers,” were comprised of music, poetic verse, and reflections on a variety of related topics. The student responses shed light on the variety of religious experiences within the student body of the school in the years following WWII. Further, they reflect a cross-section of the Community religious values of the student body as well as the instructor.

Though the questions posed by Burton Rogers, the teacher of the Civics class, did not accompany the responses, they may be discerned from the answers. Some of the responses are very brief, but some are longer and very reflective. One document seems to reflect the general outline of the assignment. [SEE ABOVE.] The thoughtful lesson reflects the diverse student body at the time and the mixed but generally deeply held religious beliefs of many of the students and the desire to share a religious perspective with any future children they might have.

There were apparently three central questions asked of the students, followed by sub-headings for consideration.

Do you enjoy the Chapel services at Pine Mountain?
1. Why?
2. Describe what you like.
Compare and contrast the Chapel at Pine Mountain and the [church, chapel, religious facility at your home?
1. Describe the Chapel service at PMSS.
2. Describe your church at home.
Are you a member of a church?
1. How old were you when you became a church member?
2. When would you want your child to join a church?