christian union universities
The Melrose Center for Christian Leadership
Christian Union Purchases Historic Building by catherine elvy , staff writer c h r i s t i a n u n i o n : : t h e m a g a z i n e
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Christian Union is preparing to open the doors to the Robert L . Melrose Center for Christian Leadership , just a block from
Princeton University .
The facility will provide office space for Christian Union ’ s ministry team at Princeton , as well as meeting space for Bible courses , mentoring and prayer sessions , alumni events , and other gatherings .
“ It will be a great place off campus for students to feel like they are hosted in a really warm , welcoming space ,” said Jon Nielson , Christian Union ’ s director of ministry at Princeton .
Christian Union was pleased to honor the lead donor ’ s wish to name the facility in honor of Robert Lumley Melrose , Princeton ’ 54 . The history major was a member of Dial Lodge and participated in varsity track , the American Whig-Cliosophic Society , and the Student Christian Association .
In October , Christian Union purchased the historic home at 19 Vandeventer Avenue , a block north of Firestone Library . The home , a landmark in the Princeton community , was built on Nassau Street about 1780 , before being moved to Vandeventer Avenue in 1887 .
Nielson compared the inviting ambience of the living and dining quarters inside Melrose Center to the eating clubs that line Prospect Street .
Likewise , the Melrose Center is a short walk from Princeton University and helps alleviate the space crunch inside Christian Union ’ s Wilson Center . The facility , which is located on Nassau Street , has served as the ministry ’ s national headquarters and Princeton ministry headquarters for many years .
“ Everyone understands the significance of having meeting space close to campus ,” said Nielson .
The purchase is emblematic of Christian Union ’ s
goals of providing practical resources to believers at top universities . “ The idea is that the space would be as flexible and usable as possible ,” said Nielson . “ There ’ s a beautiful kitchen , which we will make good use of for student dinners and Bible courses .”
The Wheaton College alumnus also envisions hosting training sessions and discussion groups for undergraduates inside Melrose Center , which has three stories plus a basement and fenced backyard .
Nielson expressed profound gratitude to retired lawnmower executive Ken Melrose , Princeton ’ 62 , for his role as the major benefactor behind the 4,100-square-foot center that now bears the name of his late brother , Robert Melrose , Princeton ’ 54 . The ministry is also thankful for another 126 donors to date who stepped up to make this center a reality .
“ Ken has just loved the ministry for years ,” said Nielson .
Ken Melrose also saw this partnership as a way to honor his brother ’ s life and faith .
The former chief executive officer of The Toro Company is fond of sharing his concept of “ servant leadership ” with executives , especially young and emerging ones . During a visit to Princeton in 2011 , Melrose told students their ultimate purpose was to “ serve God by serving others .”
Melrose documented much of his faith-based corporate journey in Making the Grass Greener on Your Side : A CEO ’ s Journey to Leading by Serving .
The Florida native graduated with honors from Princeton , where he majored in mathematics and lettered in track . He earned a master of science in electrical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1965 and a master of business administration from the University of Chicago in 1967 .
Christian Union was pleased to honor the lead donor ’ s wish to name the facility in honor of Robert Lumley Melrose . The history major was a member of Dial Lodge and participated in varsity track , the American Whig-Cliosophic Society , and the Student Christian Association .