04/10/2026
It was a privilege to celebrate both the past and the future of this remarkable ministry as we gathered for the unveiling of the Centennial Marker at Scarritt Bennett Center.
The General Commission on United Methodist Men congratulates United Women in Faith and Scarritt Bennett Center for their faithful and enduring ministry. This moment is more than a celebration of history—it is a testimony to a legacy that continues to shape lives and strengthen the Church.
The roots of this ministry run deep. Originally established as Scarritt Bible and Training School for Women Missionaries in 1892 in Kansas City, Scarritt College for Christian Workers became a pioneering institution, training young women for global leadership in the church at a time when such opportunities were rare. In 1924, the school relocated to Nashville, where, through the vision and generosity of the Women’s Missionary Societies and local supporters, the campus we know today began to take shape—Scarritt Hall, Bennett Hall, Wightman Chapel, the Bell Tower, and Susie Gray Dining Hall.
Across the decades, this sacred space formed a diverse and globally minded community—equipping leaders to serve around the world. It stood at the forefront of transformation, becoming one of the first private white colleges in Tennessee to integrate in 1952 and hosting Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Wightman Chapel in 1957.
Though the college closed in 1988, the spirit of the ministry did not end—it evolved. Today, Scarritt Bennett Center continues that legacy as a place of women’s empowerment, racial justice, spiritual enrichment, and transformative education.
To stand on those grounds today is to feel the weight of history—and the promise of what is still to come.
And as we look ahead, we are reminded that this is the shared work we are all called into—forming disciples, working for justice and equality, building communities of faith, and creating spaces where lives are changed by the presence of Christ. Together, may we all continue to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
Congratulations again to United Women in Faith and Scarritt Bennett Center.
