The Parsonage

Oldest building on campus till its demolition, Parsonage was built in 1885 by the First Congregation Church of Winter Park at a cost of $1,795, the major portion of which was contributed by three benefactors of Rollins: Francis B. Knowles, Frederick W. Lyman and Charles H. Morse. With a front porch set into the house, Parsonage was constructed in the New England Colonial style combined with a bungalow design. The building served as the home for the first president of the College, Reverend Edward P. Hooker (1834-1904), who was also pastor of the local church. Hooker lived in Parsonage from 1885 to 1898, first as Rollins president, then college pastor. Parsonage was also the site of first faculty meeting at Rollins. From 1898 and over the next 44 years, the building became home to eight pastors of the Congregational Church. In 1942, it came into the ownership of College after Rollins exchanged some properties with the Congregational Church.

After some refurbishment, Parsonage was used as a dormitory for men, a conservatory of music, the Diamond Jubilee headquarters and the office of first vice president. A more significant renovation in 1957, which included restoring the white picket fence that used to be situated around the structure, made the building a sort of Rollins presidential museum where President Hooker’s desk along with many other memorabilia was on display. In the late 1960s, Parsonage was moved to make way for the Bush Science Center, and by 1976 severe termite damages were noticed within the wood structure. The College had no other valid options but demolition. Its final resting place was located at the present location of the Cornell Social Sciences Building.