Historic Mary Holmes College
Closes after more than a
Century of Service

March 3, 2005, Louisville, KY – The Office of Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges of the Presbyterian Church (USA) announced today that the historic Mary Holmes College in West Point, MS, has closed.

The small, private college, with its long tradition of educating African American students, was founded in 1892 by the church’s Board of Missions for Freedmen.

“Mary Holmes made it possible for the dreams of young African Americans in Mississippi and from all over the country to be fulfilled. Dreams that otherwise would likely have been denied,” said Rev. Curtis Kearns, director of the National Ministries Division, PCUSA, which oversees the denomination’s office of racial ethnic schools and colleges.

“While it is sad to see this rich tradition come to a close, we believe that the luster of its distinctive history and its contribution to the church and society will never fade but will live on in its alumni,” added Kearns.

“The Presbyterian Church has a rich history of supporting education because we believe that God expects us to approach and express our faith with our whole being—body, mind, and spirit. This demands that we come to the Gospel prepared to the best of our ability, ready to learn, ready to teach, and ready to serve. Mary Holmes College has provided that preparation for countless students over the years,” said Allison Seed, chair of the National Ministries Division (NMD) Committee of the General Assembly Council (GAC).

Over the past decade, many problems have plagued the school as a small institution. Despite many valiant efforts to continue operations, the Mary Holmes College Board of Trustees voted on April 22, 2004 to pursue bankruptcy. The PCUSA assumed control of the property on February 1, 2005. The last steps of the bankruptcy process should be completed by early summer.

An initial report on the status of the property will be made to the NMD and Mission Support Services committees of the GAC later this month. A process for considering options for the remaining assets will be determined.

An office administrator and a maintenance/groundskeeper are the two remaining staff. Student records and other vital statistics will be maintained at the campus for the immediate future. The property and grounds are being evaluated and monitored, including two buildings that will likely be demolished due to safety concerns.