| Description |
Weber Stake Academy first opened its doors for instruction at the LDS Second Ward Meeting House on the corner of 26th Street and Grant Avenue on January 7, 1889. The academy's two teachers, Louis F. Moench and Edwin Cutler, welcomed nearly one hundred students on the first day, and, by the end of its first term, 195 students in all had registered for the school. This monograph depicts the role the LDS church and its leaders played in founding the school, the background of its first educators and administrators and the financial challenges they confronted in operating the school from 1889 through 1894. Letters of appreciation for Louis F. Moench and a bibliography of primary sources are also provided. |
| OCR Text |
Show 15 by 75% of the pupils and Weber County by 25%. The breakdown was as follows: Ogden 129 Harrisville 8 Huntsville 7 West Weber 4 Marriott 4 Lynn 3 Hooper 2 Eden 2 Mound Fort 2 Plain City 2 Kanesville 1 Keweyville 1 Wilson Lane 3 St. Johns, Arizona 1 Newton, Cache County 1 Faculty 3 Monitors 20 Seniors 34 Secretaries 3 Historian 1 Janitor 1 The following subjects were taught the first term, January 7, 1888 to March 8. 1889: Algebra Arithmetic Bookkeeping Civil Government Elocution Geography (Physical and Political) Grammar History Orthography Penmanship Physics Physiology Reading (Third & Fourth) Theology Vocal Music German, Philosophy, and Theory and Practice of Teaching were added to the curriculum in the Second Term.l The Second Ward Meeting House did not have the school conveniences as were found in the Central School built in 1880. Desks, tables and school materials were not fully adequate for the large enrollment. The large room was built for a church and not for a school, and was not fitted up like a modern schoolroom. The vestry rooms were arranged with school desks, but in the chapel proper where church services were regularly held, students studied as they sat on the large and awkward benches. There were no pencils nor ink in those days for student use, so the students themselves brought to school their own slates and their little bottles filled with soap suds water for erasure purposes. There were several special organizations in which students could participate, and in which they received instructions. Priesthood meetings were held after school for the male students. A domestic organization functioned for the female students. A choir with 43 members held rehearsals and performed at student gatherings. The first Thursday was the L. D. S. Church fast day, and the Academy held its fast meeting on this day. Students arose and expressed their views on religion and their feelings toward the school. A roll was kept indicating how many had fasted and how many arose to their feet and spoke 1. Historical Record of the Weber Stake Academy, p. 10. |
