History of the Restoration Movement


John William McGarvey

1829-1911

Born: Hopkinsville, Kentucky, March 1, 1829.
Died: Lexington, Kentucky, October 6, 1911.

Few men among the Disciples have obtained a more enviable reputation, and enjoyed more generally the confidence of the brethren, than the subject of this notice. Blessed with more than an average amount of practical common sense, and having faithfully done his duty in all the positions he has occupied, it is not strange that he should now be regarded as one of the safest and truest men in the Church of Christ.

JOHN W. M'GARVEY was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, March 1, 1829. His father was born in Ireland, and, when grown, came to America, and settled at Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where, with a small capital, he went into the dry-goods business. His mother was a Miss THOMSON, of old Virginia stock, and was born and reared near Georgetown, Kentucky. In 1833, his father died, and, some time after, his mother was married to Dr. G. F. SALTONSTALL.

In 1839, the family removed to Tremont, Tazewell County, Illinois, where he was trained to industry by his step-father, and thoroughly instructed in primary and academic branches by Mr. JAMES K. KELLOGG, a successful educator of that place. In April, 1847, he entered the Freshman Class of Bethany College. While at college he made the good confession, and was immersed, by Professor PENDLETON, in April, 1848. So soon as he became a Christian, he determined to devote his life to the preaching of the Gospel, and it was not long before he gave very conclusive evidence of fitness for the work. In July, 1850, he graduated as one of the honor men, delivering the Greek speech, and receiving marked tokens from the faculty of their high appreciation of his scholarship.

Meantime, his family had removed to Fayette, Missouri, at which place, soon after leaving college, he taught a male school for ten months. In June, 1851, his step-father died of cholera, while on his way to attend the commencement of Bethany College. He was a warm friend of the college, and gave it twenty-five hundred dollars while living, and left it a child's part in his estate.

At the call of the Church in Fayette, Brother M'GARVEY gave up his school, and, in September, 1851, was ordained to the work of the ministry, and afterward preached for the Church at Fayette and neighboring county churches until February, 1853, when he removed to Dover, Lafayette County, Missouri. In March, 1853, he was married to OTTIE F. HIX, of Fayette.

He resided at Dover nine years, and, during this period, he spent about half of the time at home, and, the remainder, preaching extensively over the State of Missouri, holding five public debates with various religious parties; he also collected money to erect a boarding-school in his village, and conducted the school two years.

In the spring of 1862, he accepted the pastoral care of the Church in Lexington, Kentucky, where a large field of usefulness was open to him. During the same year he published his Commentary on Acts, which had occupied all the time he could devote to it for three and a half years. This is a work of decided merit, and at once fixes his reputation as a fine Biblical scholar.

On the removal of Kentucky University to Lexington, in 1865, he accepted a chair in the College of the Bible, with the understanding that only a small portion of his time was to be devoted to teaching, such as would not materially interfere with his labors in the Church. Under his ministry, the Church had reached a remarkable degree of prosperity, and his labors were highly appreciated by the entire congregation. But, finding that his whole time was needed in the university, in 1866, he resigned his charge of the Church; but, as the Church has not succeeded in obtaining the regular services of a suitable man, he has not yet been relieved. President GRAHAM, however, now shares the labor of preaching with him.

Brother M'GARVEY is a little below medium size, has dark hair, light hazel eyes, and a very youthful appearance for one of his age. He is very strict and regular in his habits, and this fact explains why it is that he has been able to accomplish so much mental labor without impairing his health.

That which most distinguishes him as a writer and speaker is clearness; there is never the slightest confusion in his ideas. He has very little imagination, and relies almost exclusively on facts for effect. His mind is well stored with these, and, in the construction and management of an argument, he uses them with great ease and success. In debate he is one of the safest and ablest men among the Disciples, and not the least source of power here is his remarkable coolness--he is never thrown off his guard.

As a teacher, he has very few superiors. Knowledge is what a student needs; hence, the matter-of-fact man is always the best teacher—all other things being equal. But Brother M'GARVEY is also an excellent preacher, and, as a pastor, has been eminently successful. He has a kind, generous nature, but is not very demonstrative. He attends strictly to his own business.

Text from Moore, W. T. (editor), Living Pulpit of the Christian Church. Cincinnati: R. W. Carroll & Co., Publishers, 1871. Pages 325-326. This online edition © 1996, James L. McMillan.

Profile Of Faith: J.W. McGarvey

Great men multiply themselves in other men, a kind of self-multiplication by inspiration. Alexander Campbell sent out trained men from Bethany College such as Moses E. Lard, W.K. Pendleton and John William McGarvey.

Brother McGarvey, as he affectionately was called, was a second generation Restoration leader. As a serious student, he was willing to pay the price to become a Bible scholar. By budgeting his time and caring for his health he was able to contribute liberally to Restorationism.

As a young boy, McGarvey heard very little constructive preaching. He entered Bethany College as a non-Christian. However, in a short time he obeyed the gospel under the preaching of Pendleton, one of his professors. He was baptized in Buffalo Creek. McGarvey heard Campbell preach frequently in the little Bethany congregation. He graduated in a class of 12 and gave the valedictory address in Greek, which was the custom of those commencement exercises.

After graduation from Bethany, McGarvey preached several years in Missouri, and the last nine were with the Dover church. While living in Dover, he conducted discussions in which Ben Franklin and Lard debated denominational preachers. In preaching, McGarvey spoke with plainness of speech. A child could follow his sermons, and adults wondered why they could not speak like him.

McGarvey believed in the verbal inspiration of the Bible and promised to defend the Bible through thick and thin. He believed that Isaiah was Isaiah, Jonah was Jonah, there was a great fish, and Balaam's ass spoke Hebrew as well as his master.

McGarvey was a preacher who was easy to hear and hard to forget. He was a strong doctrinal preacher and enjoyed preaching from the book of Acts. His favorite preaching method was to take a New Testament text and illustrate it with an Old Testament story.

Concerning the issues of his day, McGarvey took a strong stand against instrumental music. He refused to hold membership where it was used. He favored cooperation among congregations and lent encouragement to the missionary society. He wrote opposing Christians engaging in carnal warfare.

He moved to Lexington, Ky., from Missouri because he spoke out against Christians participating in war and preached to a number of blacks, which some brethren opposed. When McGarvey became the preacher for the Main Street church in Lexington, it was the fourth largest in town. In a short time it was the largest.

Later, he preached 10 years for the Broadway church in Lexington. He also served there as an elder until 1902 at which time he resigned because of deafness. Within the same year, the McGarveys left Broadway because of the introduction of instrumental music into the congregation. They identified with the Chester Street church.

After graduating he was offered a position on the faculty three times, but he refused because he wanted to teach only the Bible. The opportunity came in 1865 to teach Bible survey at the College of the Bible in Lexington. He taught there for 40 years, served as president for 16 years, and resigned as president at the age of 80.

The classroom was McGarvey's throne, as he knew what he taught and then taught what he knew. It has been said the McGarvey never read a lesson text in the classroom but quoted the lesson from the Old or New Testament. The London Times wrote, In all probability, John W. McGarvey is the ripest Bible scholar on earth. Some of the preachers he trained were eloquent and some were not, but all were oriented with a strong biblical foundation.

McGarvey was a very prolific writer. For more than 40 years articles flowed from his pen to such periodicals as the Millennial Harbinger, American Christian Review, and Lard's Quarterly. He produced commentaries on Matthew, Mark, Acts, the Gospels (in conjunction with P.Y. Pendleton), and six of the epistles. In his books McGarvey dealt with criticism against Jonah, the eldership, the authorship of Deuteronomy, Christian evidences, and other topics.

The earthly struggles of this distinguished scholar ended Oct. 5,1911. His final words were, Lord, I come, I come. The funeral was conducted at the Central building in Lexington. His body was laid to rest in the Lexington cemetery near the graves of Raccoon John Smith, I.B. Grubbs and Henry Clay.

One great lesson can be learned from the life of this scholarly servant, and that is that he gave his very best whether he was a gospel preacher, an elder or a member of the congregation. He became a man of one book and was not content with a superficial knowledge of this book, the Bible.

James Thomas McGarvey, a son, complimented his father by saying, The prodigious amount of reading which he did was done for the purpose of acquiring the fullest possible knowledge of the Book. In joyful service did J.W. McGarvey fill life's cup.

Dabney Phillips, Gospel Advocate, July 16, 1987, pages 434,435

Christian Standard Front Page At J.W. McGarvey's Death


I. B. Grubbs, Charles Louis Loos, & J. W. McGarvey

Chapel Talks Of J.W. McGarvey


The Man Of Fayette Park


click graphic to zoom in
Transcribed below
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Death Comes To The Venerable Dr. John W. M'Garvey
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It's Was Thought He Was Improving From His Recent Illness, But the End Came at 10:15 O'clock Friday Night.
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SINGS HYMNS UNTIL DISSOLUTION IS NEAR
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President of the Bible College, Scholar, Author and Worker for the Master, His Was Always a Busy Life.
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HAD TAKEN RIDE OVER CITY FRIDAY

Dr. J. W. McGarvey.

A long, useful, and honored life consecrated to the cause of Christ and humanity, was ended Friday night in this city, when Rev. J. W. McGarvey, president of the Bible College of Transylvania University, one of the oldest and most distinguished ministers of the Christian church in America and a noted theological scholar and author, passed to his reward.

The end came at 10:15 o'clock at his home 442 Fayette Park and was a great shock to his family, neighbors, and friends, as his condition was regarded as more hopeful that it had been at any time during his recent illness.

* * * * *

Dr. McGarvey was in his eighty-third year, having been born in Hopkinsville, Ky., on March 1, 1829.

About ten days ago Dr. McGarvey was stricken with a congestive chill and was critically ill for several days, but he rallied and Friday night he took a long ride around the city in an automobile with his daughter, Mrs. J. A. Stucky. He seemed to enjoy the outing and fresh air, and it was believed that he had practically recovered from this recent illness. At 7 o'clock that night, however, he became suddenly ill while conversing with members of his family at his home, and sank to his death at 10:15 o'clock, retaining consciousness and singing Christian hymns until within a few minutes of his death.

Mrs. McGarvey, who is in her eightieth year and has been an invalid for some time, was not with her husband when the final summons came, having left Lexington Thursday to go to Martinsville, Ind., to take the baths there for rheumatism. Only two children, Mrs. J. A. Stucky and Miss Sarah McGarvey, were present. His other four surviving children, Rev. J. T. McGarvey of Detroit, Mich., Mr. Robert McGarvey of Dallas, Texas, Mr. Bird McGarvey of Kansas City. Mo., and Mrs. William Higginbotham of the county, as well as Mrs. McGarvey, were immediately notified Friday night of Dr. McGarvey's death.

Notwithstanding he had long passed the Biblical span of three score years and ten, and had reached that time of his life when activity in most men is on the decline and retirement from active life is sought, Dr. McGarvey retained unusual physical strength and mental Vigo, and as he has often said his best work was done during the during the last twenty years of his life.

About two years ago, shortly after passing his eightieth birthday Dr. McGarvey's health began to decline, but he did not retire, or express any inclination to abandon his life work, although laboring under bodily infirmities, never giving up, preaching a sermon occasionally, attending the large annual conventions of the Christian Church and taking a prominent part in the convention speaking, and always devoting much time to writing books, magazines and short religious stories, as well as to his duties at the College of the Bible where he was seldom absent from his chair in the lecture room.

* * * * *

Only two deaths had occurred in Dr. McGarvey's family up to his own, those of the oldest child, a daughter, Lula, who died when twelve years old, and Rev. J. W. McGarvey, Jr., who died suddenly at Dyersburg, Tenn., where he was conducting a revival meeting, last April. Besides his wife and six children above mentioned, Dr. McGarvey is survived by two half-sisters, Mrs. Mead of Lowell, Mass., and Mrs. Newton of Missouri, and a half-brother, Mr. Chilton Saltonstall, of California.

* * * * *

Not only because of his position as president of the Bible College here, but because of his scholarship, researches in Biblical literature and lucid exposition of the doctrine of the Disciple of Christ., Dr. McGarvey has for years been regarded as one of the great leaders of church thought in America, and his death is not only a loss to his city and State, but will be felt throughout the Christian world, where his writings and teachings have exerted a great influence for good.

* * * * *

Dr. McGarvey was born on a farm near Hopkinsville, this State, and upon the death of his father and the remarriage of his mother when he was quite a young man, moved to Southern Illinois. A few years later he removed to near Fayette, Mo. When still young he entered Bethany College, at Bethany, now West Virginia, then the leading Bible school of the Christian Church, presided over by Rev. Alexander Campbell, where he graduated.

* * * * *

On March 23, 1853, he was married to Miss Otwa Anna Hix, of near Fayette, Mo., who survives him. His first ministerial charge was at a church in Fayette. After remaining there a short time he went to Lexington, Mo., becoming pastor of a church at that place.

In 1862, shortly after the breaking out of the Civil War, he was called to the pastorate of the old Main Street Christian church in this city, which formerly stood on the present site of the Lexington Union Station, at that time the only Christian church in Lexington, succeeding as minister there Dr. Wintrope H. Hopson.

In 1895 he was called to a professorship in the College of the Bible, and in 1895 he succeeded Dr. Robert Graham as president of the college, continuing to hold that position until his death. He was one of the founders and the first pastor of the Broadway Christian church here, and his membership was in that church at his death.

Since retiring from the pastorate of the Broadway Christian church here several years ago. Dr. McGarvey discontinued regular pastoral work, devoting his time and energies chiefly to teaching and lecturing on theology in the Bible College and to authorship.

Dr. McGarvey's first literary work, which attained prominence, was a book of Commentaries on the Acts of the Apostles, a book which was written before he reached middle age, and which has since been used extensively as a theological text book. Other books by Dr. McGarvey, which have had a wide circulation and are standard books by Dr. McGarvey, which have had a wide circulation and are standard books of the Christian church, are: "The Lands of the Bible," which was written just after the author had completed an extensive tour through the Holy Land: "Commentaries on Matthew and Mar," two books on evidences of Christianity, one "Text and Canon," and the other "Credibility and Inspiration of the Scripture," "Authorship of Deuteronomy," and "Jesus and Jonah."

His work "Lands of the Bible" is still extensively read, and is regarded as an authority on Biblical history and geography, so circumstantial and accurate is it win detail. Scholars and theologians, who now travel in the Holy Land, usually take Dr. McGarvey's volume with them as an invaluable guide book in their travels and explorations.

* * * * *

Dr. McGarvey was the author of numerous volumes of short stories, sermons and Sunday-school discourses. He was also the founder of the Apostolic Times, a religious magazine formerly published in Lexington, and which several years ago was merged into the Christian Standard, of the leading weekly publications of the Christian church, published in Cincinnati and to other church periodicals.

From his earliest school days down to his recent fatal illness, Dr. McGarvey was a busy man and his literary works and the good influences he brought to bear on your men studying for the ministry under his guidance, are monuments to his genius and beneficence. Although busily engaged with his work, his pastoral and official duties, Dr. McGarvey did not neglect the social and finer side of life. He was an affectionate and dutiful husband, a kind and loving father, a splendid neighbor and high type of Christian citizen. His home was a center of social intercourse and modern culture, and the students attending the Bible College, as well as others, who sought his advice and admonition found in him a sage, a friend and a counsellor, ever ready to sympathize, console, befriend and assist.

* * * * *

As a mark of respect to the deceased president, both Transylvania University and the Bible College suspended the regular exercise Saturday and will probably remain suspended until after the funeral.

The faculty of the Bible College, with Rev. H. L. Calhoun, dean presiding, met Saturday morning to take appropriate action upon the death of Dr. McGarvey and the congregation of Chestnut Street Christian Church of which he was a prominent member, will probably take similar action.

THE FUNERAL.

The funeral services of Dr. McGarvey will take place at Central Christian church Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock, and the interment will follow in Lexington Cemetery.

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DR. SPENCER'S TRIBUTE.

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The following was written by Rev. I. J. Spencer of the Central Christian Church to the editor of the Christian Evangelist, Saturday, immediately upon hearing of the decease of President McGarvey.

DR. SPENCER'S ARTICLE.

President J. W. McGarvey has passed from our sight to be with Christ, to learn more directly from Him the great lessons for which his should hungered. He fell asleep in Jesus on Friday night, October 6, a little after ten o'clock, in his own home in Fayette Park, this city. He was sick only for a little while and it is a comfort to his family and many friends that his sufferings were not long continued. His wife was away from home, at Martinsville, Indiana, where she had gone for the improvement of her own health, when her husband gave up his spirit. His daughter, Miss Sarah McGarvey, and other loving friends were by his bedside during the last hours of his sickness.

A good and great man, a veritable cedar of Lebanon, has fallen. It is remarkable that his work continued almost as long as his life in the flesh. No doubt he shall be promoted to greater service in the spirit world.

No journey on the earth was ever anticipated with as much eagerness by him as was his departure into the nearer presence of Christ. With the prophetic spirit of the Old and apostolic vision of the New dispensation, a Biblical man through and through, he wrote and spoke in the interest of the faith.

Those who knew him best loved him best. In his case nearness, not distance, lent enchantment. The inner circle of his life, the frank but gentle personality; the affectionate friendship; the cheerful mean, the merry laugh, the twinkling eye, the sympathetic voice, the welcomeness to his home and his fellowship—all these qualities endeared him to those who knew him best.

Lexington Leader, Afternoon Edition, Saturday, October 7, 1911, Front Page   

Chronology Of The Life Of J.W. McGarvey

1829
March 1
John William McGarvey born, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 2nd child of John Thomson McGarvey & Sarah Ann Thomson McGarvey

1833
At age 4, John’s father dies, leaving wife son, and three daughters

1839
At age 10, his mother had remarried a widower with 9 children, Gurdon F. Saltonstall. With the six children born to their new union, the family of 19 children moved to Tremont, Tazewell County, Illinois

1847
April
At age 18, John enters Bethany college.

1847
A. Campbell makes trip to Great Britain, arrested, causing up-rise of involvement of students at Bethany to build national awareness. John went to Wheeling to have resolutions printed in the press.

1848
Life long friend, Charles Louis Loos graduates from Bethany

1848
At age 19 John is baptized in Buffalo Creek by W.K. Pendleton

1850
July 4
Graduates from Bethany College, delivered the Greek address. Education was secular, not for ministry.

1850
Settles in Fayette, Missouri, where his family had moved to from Illinois as a result of a Cholera epidemic. Stays there for 12 years before moving to Kentucky in 1862.

1850
Opened a school for boys – continued personal studies in Bible, and Latin. (Always regretted not receiving Bible training at Bethany)

1851
Offered a position at Bethany College to teach Mathematics by A. Campbell, but declined. Twice more through the years he was again invited to come to Bethany but declined for various reasons

1852
September
At age 23, ordained as minister by Alexander Proctor and T.M. Allen

Itinerate preaching at Fayette, Ashland and Mt. Pleasant.

Summer
Holds Meeting with Alexander Proctor at Dover, La Fayette County

1853
January
Moves to Dover, Lafayette County, Missouri

1853
March 23
At age 24, JWM marries Otwayana Frances Hix, named for her father, Otway Bird Hix, a prominent citizen of Fayette, Missouri. She was 18 years old. Officiated by Alexander Proctor, Morro, p.69
Newlywed couple with A. Proctor attend convention of American Bible Union in Louisville, Ky – Here he met John T. Johnson, Tolbert Fanning & H.T. Anderson among others

1863-1863
During nearly 10 years a Dover, evangelizes, begins writing for Benjamin Franklin’s paper, American Christian Review. Attends at least two debates.

1854
April
First child born, Loulie. (1854-1863)

1857
Robert Milligan, president of Kentucky University invites J.W. McGarvey to come to teach at Harrodsburg, Ky., but declines the offer

1857
October 17
John William McGarvey, Jr. is born in Dover, Missouri (1854-1911)

1860

Begins writing a commentary on the book of Acts. Not completed until autumn of 1863

1862
At age 33, takes the position of minister of Main St. Church in Lexington, Kentucky upon the departure of Dr. W.H. Hopson. Lexington is his home until his death in 1911

1862
August 30
While writing at his desk he was distracted by the drum roll of Confederate forces passing near his home on their way to a battle in Richmond. After battle family stood on front porch watching as the victorious Confederates returned.

1862
Fall, Winter
Main St. Church bldg. used as a military hospital. Church met in the Odd Fellows Hall on cnr. of Main & Broadway.

1863
Oldest daughter, Loulie, now 10 yrs, 8 mos., dies of inflammation of brain due to fever.

1863
Autumn
Completes commentary on the book of Acts, called, A Commentary on the Book of Acts. “Two inferences have been deduced concerning this commentary. First, it is a liberal, forward-looking work. Second, it is J.W. McGarvey's most constructive, most original and most characteristic production.” Morro, page 93. In it he focused on the distinctive process of conversion. 1600 printings initially ordered. Published by Franklin & Rice Publishers. Many reprints from others since.

1863
J.W. McGarvey became a member of the Kentucky Female Orphan School. Following year became chairman, and held this position until 1892, (Morro, p.219)
1863
Began serving as leader in State Meetings. Served as either Chairman or Secretary for many years.

1864
Birth of son, Thompson (1864-1938)
Mid 1860s
J.W.M. submitted several articles to Moses Lard’s Lard’s Quarterly

1864
February 16
Kentucky University building burns to the ground in half an hour due to high winds at Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Instruction continue the next morning in the basement of the Christian Church

1864
November
Article against Instrumental Music in worship written by J.W. McGarvey appears in the Millennial Harbinger. (No article appeared in either Christian Baptist or MH before this though references to its place in worship had appeared from time to time)

1865
January 3
Birth of daughter Sarah McGarvey (1865-1951)

1865
October 20
Sarah Ann Sallie McGarvey Saltonstall, John’s mother, dies in Fayette, Howard County, Missouri. Burial in Fayette City, Cemetery

1865
Kentucky University moves to Lexington, Kentucky. Soon after, J.W. McGarvey is invited to become the Professor of Sacred History in the College of the Bible of Kentucky University. Classes begin in September.

1866
August
JWM returned to Dover, Missouri to preach a meeting. One of his children with him. On return, the stagecoach he was riding was held up at Warrensburg, Missouri. Very little was lost.

1866
Sold house in Dover, Missouri. Proceeds purchased 14 acres of land outside of Lexington and built a large house.

1867
Resigns from Main St. church, and serves country congregations. L.B. Wilkes becomes minister at Main St. Church

1867
March 21
A son, Robert M. McGarvey is born

1868
March
Conducts funeral for Raccoon John Smith

1869
He and four associates, Robert Graham, Moses E. Lard, W. H. Hopson and L. B. Wilkes, began editing a paper, The Apostolic Times. He was active with it until 1875.

1869
Assisted in raising funds for Hocker, later Hamilton College. Became chairman of the Advisory Board of Trustees

1870
January
Due to large crowds at Main St. Church, overflow meetings began on the corner of Main & Broadway. J.W. McGarvey preached the first Sundays of the month.

1870
April 30
Property purchased on cnr. of Second & Broadway from Presbyterians, and thus officially began the Broadway Christian Church. On May 1st J.W. McGarvey preached (being his regular 1st Sunday to preach)

1871
January 1
Began as full-time minister of Broadway church. Stayed until 1882 when he resigned to go back to preaching for country churches.

1871
June
KU Board of Curators appoints an investigation of the books, esp. concerning KU Regent John Bowman’s purchase of lands for the College of Agriculture – Division between Bowman and J.W. McGarvey begins heating up.
1871
June 25
Bowman’s group propose “Second Christian Church,” at Main St. Church. Group pulls away to form new church.

1872
January 11
J.W. McGarvey requests an investigation by KU Board of Curators over false accusations made against him that he was guilty of a conspiracy to remove Regent Bowman

1873
June
J.W. McGarvey cleared and vindicated from charges made by Bowman and his cronies.

1873
June 26
Due to Bowman’s pressure, the Executive committee of the college asks for the resignation of J.W. McGarvey

1873
July 3
J.W. McGarvey releases a editorial in the Apostolic Times of the request for his resignation, and his disappointment in the school’s leadership. Sharp controversy ensued throughout the summer.

1873
August 5
A petition signed by 181 churches was given to the Executive Board of KU, requesting a reorganization of the college, and reinstatement of J.W. McGarvey, for the safety of both church and college.

1873
September 16
Board of Curators stands firm with Bowman on decision, and dismissal of J.W. McGarvey by Executive Committee stood firm. The effect was that student attendance took a dive in favor of J.W. McGarvey. College of the Bible attendance 1870-71 was 122. The 1873-74 attendance was 35. Also attendance fell in all other colleges of KU.

1875
March 20
Robert Milligan dies, while his commentary on Hebrews is at press. J.W. McGarvey writes a sketch on his life, which is included in the volume.

1875
June
Kentucky Education Society was asked to select possible teachers for COB. Robert Graham suggested as president, and J.W. McGarvey was suggested to get his old job back. Board accepts suggestion, offers J.W. McGarvey to return to his post. He accepts.

1875
Completes and prints commentary on Matthew & Mark
1876
Retires From editing The Apostolic Times

1877
June
College of the Bible is reorganized, and campus moved to the basement of Main Street Church. 1877 began with 41 students in new College of the Bible

1877
Prints J.S. Lamar’s commentary on Luke

1878
June
Office of Regent of KU, abolished, ending KU’s connection with John Bowman.

1878
Fall
College of the Bible returns to Kentucky University. The classes take place on the 2nd and 3rd floor of Old Morrison. J.W. McGarvey heads the COB serving as president for the next 16 years.

1879
March 3
Departs for extended tour and research in the Bible Lands

1879
March 29-April 21
Research In Egypt

1879
April 21-May 25
Research in Palestine

1879
June 13
To Syria

1879
June 15
Nearly drowns while swimming in the sea near Sidon.

1879
July 7
Sails from Beirut to Asia Minor, visiting the sites of the seven churches of Asia.

1879
August
Visited Italy, France & London

1879
September 2
Returns from trip to Bible Lands

1879
Replacing H.H. White, Charles Louis Loos becomes president of KU at the suggestion of J.W. McGarvey.

1880
COB returns to the campus of KU, under the presidency of Charles Louis Loos. Robert Graham continued as president of COB until 1895

1880
Releases his work, Lands Of The Bible

1882
January 1
Resigned from Broadway Christian Church to preach for country congregations, but continued as an elder of the congregation

1886
Released first volume of Evidences of Christianity

1887
J.W. McGarvey home and library on the outskirts of Lexington is destroyed by fire.

1891
Second volume of Evidences Of Christianity released

1892
Standard Publishing Company releases two-volume version of J.W. McGarvey’s original commentary on the book of Acts.

1892
Hall Laurie Calhoun, graduates, personally groomed by J.W. McGarvey to someday return to become president. He does return in 1904 to teach, but only serves as interim president after J.W. McGarvey dies in 1911.

1892-93
COB student body reaches high of 187 students

1893
January 7
J.W.M. began a new department on Biblical Criticism in the Christian Standard

1893
Sales of Lands of the Bible exceeded 17,000 copies

1893
Summer
J.W. McGarvey preached a series of sermons at the Broadway Christian Church. The Guide Publishing Co. produced them into a book entitled, McGarvey’s Sermons – 2 Sermons added.

1893
J.W. McGarvey’s class notes are published

1895
March
Robert Graham resigns as president of the College of the Bible. J.W. McGarvey takes the presidency for the next 16 years, until his death in October, 1911.

1895
Aug, Sept. Oct
J.W. McGarvey publishes in the Christian Standard, articles on Biblical Criticism, specifically on a study of Jonah

1896
Jesus and Jonah is published from articles in the Christian Standard the previous year.

1901
January
Robert Graham, long time friend of J.W. McGarvey dies in Lexington, buried at Lexington Cemetery

1902
September 21
Church at Broadway celebrates fifty years of the preaching of J.W. McGarvey. Had been elder since the church’s inception in 1870. Resigned at the end of the festivities surrounding his 50th.

1902
November 2
In anticipation of Broadway adding the instrument of music, J.W. McGarvey withdraws his membership from Broadway and begins meeting with the Chestnut Street Church. During this time his arguments against the use of the instrument were presented in the Evening Leader. Instrument added at Broadway in 1903. W.H. Allen was minister at Chestnut Street. He said, Brother McGarvey, we would rather have you than ten thousand aids to worship. Attends there the rest of his life.

1905
Issued with P.Y. Pendleton his work entitled, The Four-Fold Gospel

1909
March 1
J.W. McGarvey’s 80th birthday celebration. A large print, leather Bible was presented to him in chapel from the faculty and students of the COB. Also, a cake with 80 candles was presented. Offered to resign, but was told to continue as long as health would allow. He presided 2 more years.

1911
April 6
John William McGarvey, Jr. dies during a revival meeting in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Body shipped back to Lexington for burial in the family plot

1911
October 6
J.W. McGarvey dies - burial followed in Lexington Cemetery in the shadows of the Henry Clay monument.

1911
November 12
Death of Otwayanna Frances Hix McGarvey. She is buried beside her busband and other family members buried at Lexington Cemetery.

1912
March 1
B.C. Deweese gives a Memorial Address at the College of the Bible honoring J.W. McGarvey

1940
February
W.C. Morro completes the Forward to the book, Brother McGarvey: The Life Of President J.W. McGarvey of the College Of The Bible, Lexington, Ky

Prepared by Scott Harp, March, 2009 Source: Brother McGarvey: The Life Of President J.W. McGarvey of the College Of The Bible, Lexington, Ky, by W.C. Morro, c.1940 (Updated in August, 2020)

Actual GPS Location In The Cemetery
38°03'28.4"N 84°30'27.1"W
or D.d. 38.057900,-84.507533
19 Ft. Accuracy
Grave Faces East
Section F, Lot 23, Part S


McGarvey Grave Looking Up From The Henry Clay Monument


McGARVEY
Otwayanna McGarvey 1834-1911
Loulie 1854-1864
John William McGarvey 1829-1911


John William McGarvey
1829-1911

Directions To Grave: Lexington Cemetery is one of the most beautiful old cemeteries in America. It is located on West Main Street heading away from downtown Lexington toward Leestown Pike. Turn right into the main entrance past the office. Stay on Main Avenue passing Henry Clay Monument on the left. Go until you see Section F on the left. The grave is not far from the road.

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