A Timeline
information accredited to aDAIR margo
Support Lydia Patterson by purchasing Margo's book, Voices of LA LYDIA
1729
John & Charles Wesley start a society at Oxford to help young men live Christian lives. Pejoratively called the “Holy Club,” the epithet “Methodist” is first applied to its members.
1817
Preaching of first Methodist sermon in Texas, violating the law of Mexico.
1881
Cornerstone of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church (MECS) laid at corner of Texas & Stanton Streets in El Paso.
1909
Lydia Patterson dies.
1910 - 1920
Mexican Revolution disrupts Protestant missionary work in Mexico, sending missionaries & refugees to El Paso.
1913
Millard Patterson funds Lydia Patterson Institute (LPI) for “the education and religious training of boys & young men” in memory of his wife at Third & Florence Streets in El Paso. School donated to the MECS.
Millard Patterson, 1919. Photograph courtesy of Adair Margo.
1915
LPI has 140 students ranging from ages from five to twenty-five.
Mexican branch of the YMCA started in the basement.
1918
Centenary of MECS mission work. Money raised for four-story Mitchell annex on Third & Campbell Streets across the alley from LPI.
Effie Edington moves to two-story building at 1215-23 East San Antonio Street & becomes girls boarding school.
First graduating class of LPI.
First basketball team organized at LPI.
Theological department organized at LPI.
La Lydia, 1919. Photograph courtesy of Adair Margo.
1922
LPI annex established in basement of El Divino Salvador Methodist Church in Ciudad Juàrez (until 1925).
Boys in Lydia Patterson Institute, 1928, Photograph, December 3, 1928; digital image, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth14080/ : accessed August 19, 2013), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Clark Hotel Museum, Van Horn, Texas.
1925
Mexican government closes all schools conducted in religious buildings.
1930
Great Depression forces curtailment of LPI offerings & closure of industrial shops in Mitchell Annex. Only missionary faculty remain at LPI.
1935
First graduating class to wear cap & gown for LPI commencement.
1938
LPI celebrates 25th anniversary. 150 students enrolled, grades four to high school. 9 teachers.
First yearbook from Lydia Patterson Institute, 1942. Photograph courtesy of Adair Margo.
1950
Articles of Incorporation drawn up, Charter executed and filed in Office of Secretary of State, Austin, Texas on January 16, 1950, placing LPI under own board of managers, comprised of minister & layman from each of the Conferences within the South-Central Jurisdiction.
1951
Enrollment of 613 (17% El Paso & Ysleta; 18% US; 65% from five other countries).
1963
LPI marks 50th year. Total enrollment 787: Special English, 170; Junior High, 59; Commercial, 170; High School, 238; Ministerial, 43; Night Classes, 107. 35% of graduates attend colleges or universities.
1964
Groundbreaking on $ 650,000 new building.
Boy’s dormitory facilities discontinued.
Inauguration of new El Mesias Church.
Razing of Mitchell Annex and construction of $ 175,000 gymnasium.
1987
Coach Don Haskins Challenge of March 20, 1987 Basketball game between ex-Pattersonians & ex-UTEP grads. Standing-room-only $ 1600. fundraiser
1996
Boys soccer program started with all boys and one girl
1997
LPI students go on uniform with white shirt and blue skirts and pants
1998
LPI marks 85th anniversary with Laura Bush, First Lady of Texas, speaking. Three hundred students, 80% from Ciudad Juàrez. Tuition is $ 160 a month, including two meals daily.
Leona and Fred Baker Scholarship established
1999
Close of Endowment campaign with $2.2 Million reached
Proprties Purchased at
601 S. Florence601 S. Florence
First time College of Bishops meets at LPI
LPI goes into closed campus
Singer Vickki Carr visits LPI
2001
Boys Soccer Team wins State Championship
Coach Gerardo Yuen chose District Coach of the Year
2013
LPI marks 100th anniversary.
Ms. Cristina Woo nominated Texan of the Year
2019
Celebration of the Lydia Patterson Historical Site
First yearbook from Lydia Patterson Institute, 1942. Photograph courtesy of Adair Margo.
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