History of the Restoration Movement


Ernest Allen Clevenger, Jr.

1929-2014

The Life of Ernest Clevenger, Jr.

Ernest Allen Clevenger, Jr. was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee October 30, 1929. He was the son of Ernest Allen and Mary Ellen Clevenger. His father was a successful business man and gospel preacher. From an early age, Ernest Jr. was being groomed for the ministry. In 1943 he was immersed into Christ.

He was married to Glenda Willoughby December 17, 1950. They had two children, Ernest III and Elisabeth Ann (Loyd).

Ernest, Jr. attended David Lipscomb College, where he received his B.A. in 1951. Then he acquired his M.A. at Harding Graduate School in 1967. Further training followed at Alabama Christian School of Religion, where he received the B. Th. In 1971, and the M.R.E. in 1974. From there he studied at Berea Christian College where he attained the S.L.D. in 1972.

Over the years he preached for several congregations of the Lord’s people. He preached for the University congregation in Murray, Kentucky form 1953-1957. From there he went to preach for the North Highlands church of Christ in Russellville, Alabama from 1957 to 1963. For a number of years he served the West End congregation in Birmingham, Alabama from 1963-1976. In 1976 he moved to Montgomery where he preached for the Hunter Station church of Christ.

He wrote for several papers including Christian Bible Teacher, Christian School Newsletter, and the Gospel Advocate. In 1964 he began publishing works through a publishing house he purchased called, Parchment Press. His first published work was Ready Reference for Personal Workers. Over the next 20 years he published over 2 million copies of this book. In 1976 he wrote, A Beginning Course in Leadership Training for Men. He produced a Comprehensive Topical and Textual Lesson Commentary Index to Elam’s Notes, 1922, 1931. In all, he published over 19 volumes.

Ernest was an educator. He taught high school science from 1960 to 1963. He directed Alabama Christian School of Religion, Birmingham Extension from 1965 to 1974. He served as president of Alabama Christian College of Biblical Studies from 1974 to 1976. He was academic dean for Alabama Christian College for a time, and was selected as president of the college in 1976. In 1979, he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee where he served as president of Boyd-Buchanan School for several years.

He spent the last years of his life in the Chattanooga area, but his influence took him to many places to preach and teach the gospel of Christ. He passed from this life April 22, 2014.

-Scott Harp, April 3, 2020

Source: Preachers Of Today, Volume 5, Page 52

Report On New Work In Russellville, Alabama

Gospel Advocate, September 12, 1957, page 589

Appointed Dean Of Alabama Christian College

Gospel Advocate, February 19, 1976, page 126

Clevenger To Alabama Christian College
1982 Announcement in GA

Ernest A. Clevenger, Jr., has been selected president of Alabama Christian College, according to James H. Faulkner, chairman of the college Board of Directors.

According to Faulkner, Clevenger was unanimously selected by the Board at their July 9th meeting. "Alabama Christian College is exceedingly fortunate to have a man of the caliber of Dr. Ernest Clevenger, ]r. , to become president of this great institution, for he not only has the fine spiritual and academic qualifications but he is also noted for his administrative ability and has been a successful businessman in his own right," states Faulkner.

Clevenger replaces Dr. J. Walker Whittle who has tendered his resignation in lieu of returning to Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson, Tenn., where he had a 27-year association before coming to Alabama Christian in June 1981.

Since 1979, Clevenger has served as president of Boyd-Buchanan School in Chattanooga, Tenn. Prior to that he was academic dean at Alabama Christian College for three years (76-79). He served as professor of Bible at the Alabama Christian School of Religion in Montgomery and as director of its Birmingham branch from 1968-1973. He was also president of the Alabama Christian College of Biblical Studies in Birmingham (73-76).

An evangelist for more than 33 years, Clevenger has served as minister at congregations in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. He has lectured, preached, and conducted training programs/meetings throughout the South, in Israel, Russia, and Switzerland.

A graduate of Chattanooga High School, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from David Lipscomb College. He received his MA in religious education from the Harding Graduate School of Religion and received his BTh in Counseling, Master's in Religious Education and Master's in Theology from the Alabama Christian School of Religion. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Berean Christian College and Seminary.

He and his wife, Glenda Willoughby Clevenger, have two children, Mr. Ernest Clevenger III and Mrs. Elisabeth Loyd, both of Nashville, Tenn.

Gospel Advocate, August 19, 1982

College Presidents Annual Conference


Gospel Advocate, December 19, 1985. page 757

Obituary

Ernest Allen Clevenger, 84 passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2014.  Mr. Clevenger was born October 30, 1929 in Chattanooga, TN son of the late Ernest Allen Clevenger, Sr. and Mary Ellen Fridell.  Ernest earned a BA in Speech and Chemistry from Lipscomb University, and an MA in Religion from Harding Graduate School of Religion.  He also earned a MTH in Greek and Archaeology and an MRE in Religious Education from Amridge University.  He held a Doctorate of Sacred Literature from Berean Christian College and Seminary.  He was an avid and accomplished author of over 60 works, including but not limited to the Pocket Bible Ready Reference and Condensed Harmony of the Gospel. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Clevenger. Ernest is survived by his wife, Glenda Willoughby Clevenger; son, Ernest Allen Clevenger II, daughter, Elisabeth (Roger) Loyd, grandchildren, Jake (Ann) Loyd, Will (Jenny) Loyd, Katie (Trey) Medlin, Ashley Thomas and David Clevenger; great grandchildren, Ali Engel Loyd and Hampton Medlin; sister Alice May Clevenger Cooper; brother, Dale Clevenger. Celebration of Life Services will be held at ten o'clock in the morning, Friday, April 25, 2014 from Woodlawn's Dignity Hall with Ernest Allen Clevenger, Jr. officiating.  Interment will follow from Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga, TN.  A Gathering of Friends will be held from four o'clock in the afternoon until seven, Thursday, April 24, 2014.     

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions made to Granny White Church of Christ Missions Program or Great Cities Missions, 3939 Belt Line Rd. Addison, TX 75001  

Source: Dignity Memorial

Directions To Grave

The Ernest Clevenger family plot is located in the Forest Hill Cemetery, south of downtown Chattanooga. The cemetery is very large. See GPS location below for specific location. Plot: Section T 12 NW2ND. Pass office and turn right on Elm St. Very quickly you will vear off on Cherry and start heading up the hill. Look for white stone on left just on the left. Below are photos of the family plot. However, there is no marker for Ernest Clevenger, Jr. Be sure to see the webpage for his father, Ernest Clevenger, Sr.

GPS Location
35°00'23.3"N 85°19'32.4"W
35.006472,-85.325675


See white stone in distance up drive just on the left. This is the Clevenger Plot.


Robert Graham Clevenger
September 10, 1931
December 28, 2005
brother of Ernest, Jr.


Mary Ellen Fridell Clevenger
May 13, 1909
January 23, 1978


Ernest Allen Clevenger, Sr.
October 22, 1908
January 26, 1984

NOTE: Ernest Clevenger, Jr. is buried in this plot, but has no marker.

Photos Taken 10.31.2016
Webpage produced 04.02.2020
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com

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