The Muriel J. Van Orden and Harvey L. Jennings papers

1905 August 25

Born, Clinton, New Jersey

1928

Graduated, Radcliffe College

1928-1932

Student, Bachelor of Theology and Master of Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary

1940-1966

Co-director with Harvey Jennings of youth conference, Montrose Bible Conference, Montrose, Pennsylvania

1981

Honored for 50 years of service at Montrose Bible Conference, Montrose, Pennsylvania

2000 February 19

Died in Maine

Muriel J. Van Orden Jennings was the first woman to graduate from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1932 with a Bachelor's and Master's of theology. She married her fellow student, Harvey L. Jennings after their graduation. She served as director of religious education in Frenchtown Presbyterian Church, Frenchtown, NJ, and Peckville Baptist Church, Peckville, PA, where her husband was the pastor. For more than 40 years Muriel ran a Christian bookstore in Peckville. She also gave more than 50 years of service to the Montrose Bible Conference a variety of roles.

Harvey L. Jennings began his ministry with his ordination at Frenchtown Presbyterian Church, Frenchtown, NJ, in June of 1932. He ministered there until his move to Union Presbyterian Church, Carney's Point, NJ, in 1946. After one year of ministry there, he and Muriel moved to Peckville, PA, where Harvey was installed as pastor of Peckville Baptist Church in 1947. He served there until his death in 1973. In addition to his pastorates, he spent 41 years on the summer staff at the Montrose Bible Conference, which he co-directed with Muriel for 25 years. He was also dean of Hyde Park Bible Institute, Scranton, PA, and a professor there for sixteen years.