This fact is significant for it is this kind of faith that characterizes Catawba's entire history. It is furthermore interesting to note that the welfare of the Reformed Church itself figured prominently into the choice of the school's first location. It might do more to save this charge than anything else, and would be as favorable a location as we could get. In another letter from the Rev. G.W. Welker to the Rev. J. Ingold, the following revealing information is reflected concerning the school's specific professional and vocational objectives. An interesting sidelight on monetary values at that time is reflected by this excerpt from a letter penned by the Rev. J.H. Crawford in October 1851, addressed to the Rev. J. Ingold.
Provisions are very high.
I would like to put four. Brother, it is a troublesome business from first to last, and I am getting my full share of the trouble if nothing more, but I will not complain. It had been a private ungraded school owned by the town. The Rev. C.H. Albert, a Pennsylvanian, was named the first principal and Mr. H.H. Smith, a New Hampshirite, his assistant. Thirty-two students were enrolled for the first session.