Christian Union: The Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 7
Originally on Nassau Street and across
from the Bainbridge House, the building
originally known as Beatty House dates
back to about 1780. Jacob Hyer, a former
colonel in the Continental Army and tav-
ern proprietor, reportedly sold the house
to Erkuries Beatty, a Revolutionary War
officer, around 1815.
bought it and moved it to its current lo-
cation, according to a newspaper account.
Over the years, the house functioned in
a variety of capacities, including as a girls’
school, boarding house, and antiques deal-
ership. The Historical Society of Princeton
purchased the property in 1991 and leased
it to commercial tenants until private own-
The Robert L. Melrose Center for Christian Leadership
ers bought it in 2005 for a stately residence.
With Christian Union’s commissioning
of the Melrose Center, the storied structure
now will be “used for the glory of God on
this campus,” Bennett said. | cu
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Beatty, the son of a Presbyterian cler-
gyman, was a member of Princeton’s class
of 1762 and later a trustee of his alma
mater. The edifice stayed in the Beatty
family until 1875 when Jacob Vandeventer
Learn more about the Melrose Center and see photos of the celebration events:
www.MelroseCenter.org
Enhance and preserve the strategic impact of the facility
for generations to come by becoming a Friend of the Melrose Center:
Give online: christianunion.org/melrosecentergift
Contact Carol Fausnaught, Associate Vice President, Development,
570-326-3102 or [email protected] for more information.
A few naming opportunities are still available.
and his influential, brilliant, yet fun-loving
sibling. “Robert’s Christian faith was very
strong,” Ken Melrose told 110 attendees
at the Nassau Inn. “He was a great role
model for me. His love for Princeton
helped shape my life and career.”
Over 170 supporters raised $2.4 million
for the Melrose Center’s acquisition and
renovation.
The facility features office space for
ministry fellows, as well as meeting areas
for Bible courses, mentoring, prayer, coach-
ing student ministry teams, and alumni
events. A reference room contains biblical
commentaries and translations, biogra-
phies, and other materials, while an im-
pressive, state-of-the-art kitchen allows
students to host dinners and other gath-
erings.
The Melrose Center provides Christian
Union the ability to hold five Bible cours-
es, totaling 50 students, simultaneously.
The ministry expects that most of its week-
ly Bible courses for the more than 400
students enrolled will be held at the Mel-
rose Center. The spaciousness of the Mel-
rose Center reduces Christian Union’s
dependence on Princeton to secure min-
istry space for its programs. In an era when
many university administrations are mak-
ing Christian ministry more difficult, this
security is a great blessing.
In addition to the dedication, the Mel-
rose Center also was the scene for the min-
istry’s annual Reunions celebrations. About
150 alumni attended a reception on June
3, and many marveled at the elegant but
inviting ambience of the celebrated, his-
toric home.
Ultimately, the purchase mirrors Chris-
tian Union’s goals of providing practical
resources to believers at top universities.
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