(Originally edited and published by Karen D. Powers)

The Rev. Steven E. Powers - Rector of Trinity Church, Houghton

William Sottile - Senior Warden and Faculty Advisor

Nancy Auer - Campus Chaplain

Andrew Hector and David Randall -Co-Presidents of Canterbury Club

EACW History

The Episcopal Association for College Work (EACW) was born in the early 1960's when Fr. Herman Page was Rector of Trinity Parish. Since it appears that the earliest records of the formation of the Association have been lost, this writer will attempt to put together a written account of what her best tribal memory provides.

At the time of its formation, it was decided that in order to better serve students at Michigan Tech a house near the campus would be purchased to be used as a student center, i.e. Canterbury House. A home belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Nick Kaiser became available for purchase. Funds for the purchase of the house were raised in three ways: The parishioners of Trinity pledged 1/3 of the cost, Bishop Herman Page, father of Trinity's Rector and then Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Michigan provided 1/3 of the funds from monies within the Diocese, and the remaining 1/3 was obtained by the Bishop from sources outside the Diocese. Cost of the house was approximately $30,000.00.

The EACW was set up as an independent legal corporation whose board would be made up of members of Trinity but with no connection to the vestry of Trinity. By-laws were drawn up defining membership and policies for the organization. The Bishop of the Diocese would be the office head of the board, but a member of Trinity would be appointed to be his representative since most of the time he would be unable to attend the meetings. In many instances, the Rector of Trinity served as the Bishop's representative. Membership on the EACW Board was set up to be appointed by members of the board with approval for the appointments to be given at the annual parish meeting of Trinity.

The home which was purchased was a four story house with 2 or 3 bedrooms on the second floor and an apartment on the third floor. Furnishings for the house were basically obtained from items donated by members of Trinity. A room in the Basement was converted to a chapel where Sunday Eucharists were held each week. Various custodial arrangements existed during the time. In the beginning a student couple lived on the third floor with responsibility for oversight of the house. At one time another student couple lived on the second floor. The house was available to students who wanted a quite place to study and Canterbury Club meetings and dinners were held there periodically.

In the late 1960's Fr. William Wiedreich became the Rector of Trinity and during his tenure Fr. William Green came to Houghton with his family. Fr. Green taught some courses at MTU and worked as the campus chaplain in the community. The Green Family lived in the Canterbury House during that time so the house was not readily available to students.

After a few years Fr. Green moved from Houghton as did Fr. Wiedrich. Fr. Carl Gerdau then became the Rector of Trinity. At this time also, Fr. Frank Hawthorne became the Vicar of Christ Church, Calumet, and he was hired to do campus work at MTU. Eventually the highway through the campus was re-routed and several homes were demolished, one of which was the Canterbury House. Funds received from the State of Michigan for the purchases of the Canterbury House were then invested with the Trust Association of the Diocese and the income from the investment was used for college work.

During this time, the house immediately west of Trinity Church became available for purchase. The vestry of Trinity wished to purchase the property with the intention of eventually building a parking lot. Since funds for this were not readily available from the parish coffers, the EACW was approached and agreed to purchase the house. Cost of the house and lot was approximately $33,000.00. An agreement was made whereby Trinity would buy this property from the EACW over a period of years. In the meantime the EACW decided to rent the house to college students. In time, it was decided to build the parking lot so the contents of the house were sold and the house was razed.

For the next 10 years or so work among college students was carried on by the EACW using again the interest from the funds paid by Trinity for the property next to the church. Over the years the EACW cooperated with the Portage Lake United Ministries in Higher Education (PLUMHE) which was an ecumenical board that existed to promote a Christian presence on campus. They also supported the United Ministries in Higher Education (UMHE) which was intended to be an ecumenical effort in the Upper Penninsula but which basically was centered in the Marquette area. Neither of these two organizations now exist.

In 1983 Fr. Steven Powers became the Rector of Trinity. As a way of getting Canterbury up and running each year, he and his wife Karen began hosting a welcome back dinner at the beginning of each school year for all new and returning Episcopal students and their guests, and preparing and delivering "goodie bags" to all Episcopal students arriving at MTU for the first time. In the late 1980's the EACW received a substantial bequest amounting to about $600,000.00 from the estate of John W. Rice, former owner of the Daily Mining Gazette. These monies were added to the investment account and have provided considerable resources for use by the EACW. The "goodi bags" expanded to all Episcopal students at MTU each year.

Over the years, the EACW has made an effort to support students in their college experience. Initially scholarships were given to Episcopal students from the Upper Penninsula attending MTU; then scholarships were added to Episcopal students who were active in the Canterbury Club at Trinity. Of late, scholarships have been added for members of Trinity who will attend any institution of higher education, not necessarily MTU.

The EACW has tried to support various efforts to fund guest speakers at MTU mainly through the Pugwash organization. They have also worked to encourage students at Suomi College in Hancock. A contribution has also been given each year to the vestry as a means of supporting the facility that students made use of.

Although membership on the EACW board has recently consisted of people who are connected with the college in some way, that is not the way it originated nor is it a requirements. Over the years several members of Trinity who have been interested in supporting or encouraging students but who are not connected with the college have served on the board. Currently the EACW board consist of the Rector of Trinity, the president of the Canterbury Club, the Senior Warden of Trinity and 6 board members, 2 of whom are appointed each year for a 3 year term.

Since there have been adequate funds available in the last few years, much discussion has taken place regarding the most effective way to minister to and support college students. Various ideas have been considered and most recently it was decided to appoint a lay person to serve as a "campus chaplain" in order to maintain regular contact and availability to students. Nancy Auer currently serves in this capacity contacting students and being available one night during the week to gather anyone interested in having discussion/Bible Study.

Student participation in the Canterbury Club/Trinity activities has been cyclical over the years but the aim of the EACW has always been to maintain a presence in order to provide a place where students can feel that there are people who are available and supportive in whatever capacity is needed.

There have been number developments within the EACW since this history was authored by Marcia in 1997. Among these developments:

1999

The EACW acquired a new house located across from the MTU campus to serve as the new Canterbury House. The "yellow" house, located at 1405 E. Houghton Avenue, has a prominent presence near campus.

Fr. Steven Powers left Trinity Houghton to accept a calling in Wisconsin.

2000

Under the leadership of Bill Sottile, a formal scholarship program and christian ministry program were organized. This effort developed an infrastructure and a transparent process for awarding scholarships and grants.

2001

After a two year search Fr. Ted Durst was called to serve Trinity Houghton as Rector.

2002

After several productive years as campus chaplain, Nancy Auer stepped down.

Excerpts from EACW Annual Reports