Frederic Corss Church, 1885-1966

Frederic Corss Church was born on October 3, 1885, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He attended Cornell University from 1905 to 1909, and was granted a fellowship from that institution to continue his studies in Europe from 1909 to 1912. He taught at Pennsylvania State University until the First World War which he spent as Y.M.C.A. secretary in Italy. In this capacity he organized many social events for the Italian troops, including films, musical evenings, holiday parties, and also provided quiet places for the troops to read and write letters--in some cases writing letters for the men who were illiterate. Changes in the administration at Penn State made his return to his former position unlikely, and he applied for other jobs.

In his diary entry for August 6, 1921 he wrote: "Telegram from Idaho offering Hulme's place for $2800. Accepted wondering if I was being taken at a disadvantage, being so far away." He continued teaching in the history department at the University of Idaho until his retirement in 1955. In 1925 a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was established at the University of Idaho and Church became its first secretary, a position he held for over 25 years. He was also an honorary member and chapter advisor of Phi Delta Theta in Moscow, frequently hosting their yearly social gathering at his home.

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