Bertrand Martin Tipple
Encyclopedia
Bertrand Martin Tipple was a Methodist writer, lecturer, and the founder and president of Methodist International College in Rome, Italy.
, Oneida County, New York
on December 1, 1868, the son of Martin Tipple (7 March 1819 – 16 May 1901) and Sara Elizabeth Squier (June 1841 – 3 June 1916). His brother was Ezra Squier Tipple
(1861–1936). He was educated at Cazenovia Seminary
, graduating in 1990, then on to Syracuse University
where he would receive his A.B. in 1894, and ten years later a D.D. (1904). While at Syracuse, he was a member of the Delta Upsilon
fraternity, serving as recording secretary and president. He lived in the D.U. house and had as a fellow brother, also living in the house, Stephen Crane
. During his college years he served as an editor for the monthly University Herald, played baseball, studied classical history, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society
. He also served as a correspondent for the New York Tribune and the Mail and Express, and for the Post-Standard of Syracuse.
Following college, Tipple pursued a career as a clergyman. He studied at Drew Theological Seminary, graduating in 1897 with his B.D. degree and was ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church
. While at Drew, he served as assistant pastor of Grace M.E. Church, New York City. He married Jane Baldwin Downs on 2 June 1897. She was also a graduate of Syracuse (1895) and a member of Alpha Phi
. He served as pastor of Epworth M.E. Church, New Haven, Connecticut, from 1897 till 1900. From 1900 until 1906 he was pastor of Embury Memorial M.E. Church, Brooklyn, New York; and then back to Connecticut as pastor of First M.E. Church, in Stamford until 1909.
In 1909 Tipple accepted a call to be pastor of the American Methodist Episcopal Church in Rome, Italy. The new posiiton was to afford him the opportunity to pursue missionary work, for at the time there were only about ten members. He was very busy during his stay in Rome and accepted many new responsibilities. From 1910 until 1923 he was president of Reeder Theological Seminary, which prepared boys for the Methodist ministry in Italy. Perhaps most prominently, he was the founder and president of Methodist International College (Collegio Internazionale di Monte Mario) from 1911 until 1923. The Methodists were in continual conflict with the Vatican
during Tipple's fourteen years in Rome. The most famous incident occurred in early April 1910, when ex-President Theodore Roosevelt
, during his six-week tour through Europe, failed to meet with the Pope. The Pontiff did not want the ex-president to also call on the Methodist mission while in Rome. Roosevelt, who had had no intention of such a visit, was incensed by the restriction that Pius X seemed to be making on him and declined to call on him. The episode, which was mostly the result of misunderstandings, caused quite a stir. In 1914, Tipple secured six acres at the southern end of Monte Mario
, one of the most beautiful locations near the city. He planned on a large-scale building program to expand the college; however, his plans were met with strong opposition from the Holy See
. On 20 May 1922, the first of seven planned buildings was finally dedicated. Tipple resigned as president of the college on 20 November 1923, stating ill heath as the necessitating cause, and shortly thereafter the new fascist government would stall and eventually stop the extensive building plans.
During 1910 to 1924 Tipple embarked on numerous lecture trips throughout the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany. He was a delegate to the world convention of the YMCA
at Robert College
in Constantinople in 1911 and a delegate to the Ecumenical Conference in Edinburgh, 1913. From 1912 to 1924 he was correspondent-at-large in Europe and North Africa for the Christian Science Monitor. During World War I, he maintained social service rooms in the Methodist building in Rome for British and American soldiers and sailors. He was received at the Italian Court in 1910. In July, 1915, he was conferred Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy
(Cavaliere dell' Ordine della Corona d'Italia) by King Victor Emanuel III and in 1920 he was made Commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy
for making Americans aware of Italy's sacrifice during the Great war. Tipple was also a Mason
(33rd degree of Italy). In his later years he focused on traveling, lecturing and writing. He joined his daughter Silva Tipple New Lake on the American expedition to the ruins at Van Fortress
, Turkey, in 1938-40. He died on 19 October 1952.
Biography
Bertrand M. Tipple was born at CamdenCamden (village), New York
Camden is a village in Oneida County, New York, USA. The population was 2,330 at the 2000 census.The Village of Camden is located inside the Town of Camden at the crossing of Routes NY-13 and NY-69.-History:The W.H...
, Oneida County, New York
Oneida County, New York
Oneida County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 234,878. The county seat is Utica. The name is in honor of the Oneida, an Iroquoian tribe that formerly occupied the region....
on December 1, 1868, the son of Martin Tipple (7 March 1819 – 16 May 1901) and Sara Elizabeth Squier (June 1841 – 3 June 1916). His brother was Ezra Squier Tipple
Ezra Squier Tipple
Ezra Squier Tipple was the fifth president of Drew Theological Seminary from 1912 to 1929.-Biography:He was born in 1861 and had a brother, Bertrand Martin Tipple. He died on October 17, 1936 of pneumonia.-References:...
(1861–1936). He was educated at Cazenovia Seminary
Cazenovia Seminary
Cazenovia Seminary was an academic seminary of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was located in Cazenovia, New York, U.S.A.. It was founded in 1825, at the instigation of George Peck and several other prominent clergymen in the area...
, graduating in 1990, then on to Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
where he would receive his A.B. in 1894, and ten years later a D.D. (1904). While at Syracuse, he was a member of the Delta Upsilon
Delta Upsilon
Delta Upsilon is the sixth oldest international, all-male, college Greek-letter organization, and is the oldest non-secret fraternity in North America...
fraternity, serving as recording secretary and president. He lived in the D.U. house and had as a fellow brother, also living in the house, Stephen Crane
Stephen Crane
Stephen Crane was an American novelist, short story writer, poet and journalist. Prolific throughout his short life, he wrote notable works in the Realist tradition as well as early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism...
. During his college years he served as an editor for the monthly University Herald, played baseball, studied classical history, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society
Phi Beta Kappa Society
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an academic honor society. Its mission is to "celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences"; and induct "the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at America’s leading colleges and universities." Founded at The College of William and...
. He also served as a correspondent for the New York Tribune and the Mail and Express, and for the Post-Standard of Syracuse.
Following college, Tipple pursued a career as a clergyman. He studied at Drew Theological Seminary, graduating in 1897 with his B.D. degree and was ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church, sometimes referred to as the M.E. Church, was a development of the first expression of Methodism in the United States. It officially began at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784, with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the first bishops. Through a series of...
. While at Drew, he served as assistant pastor of Grace M.E. Church, New York City. He married Jane Baldwin Downs on 2 June 1897. She was also a graduate of Syracuse (1895) and a member of Alpha Phi
Alpha Phi
Alpha Phi International Women's Fraternity was founded at Syracuse University on September 18, 1872. Alpha Phi currently has 152 active chapters and over 200,000 initiated members. Its celebrated Founders' Day is October 10. It was the third Greek-letter organization founded for women. In Alpha...
. He served as pastor of Epworth M.E. Church, New Haven, Connecticut, from 1897 till 1900. From 1900 until 1906 he was pastor of Embury Memorial M.E. Church, Brooklyn, New York; and then back to Connecticut as pastor of First M.E. Church, in Stamford until 1909.
In 1909 Tipple accepted a call to be pastor of the American Methodist Episcopal Church in Rome, Italy. The new posiiton was to afford him the opportunity to pursue missionary work, for at the time there were only about ten members. He was very busy during his stay in Rome and accepted many new responsibilities. From 1910 until 1923 he was president of Reeder Theological Seminary, which prepared boys for the Methodist ministry in Italy. Perhaps most prominently, he was the founder and president of Methodist International College (Collegio Internazionale di Monte Mario) from 1911 until 1923. The Methodists were in continual conflict with the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
during Tipple's fourteen years in Rome. The most famous incident occurred in early April 1910, when ex-President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
, during his six-week tour through Europe, failed to meet with the Pope. The Pontiff did not want the ex-president to also call on the Methodist mission while in Rome. Roosevelt, who had had no intention of such a visit, was incensed by the restriction that Pius X seemed to be making on him and declined to call on him. The episode, which was mostly the result of misunderstandings, caused quite a stir. In 1914, Tipple secured six acres at the southern end of Monte Mario
Monte Mario
-External links :* * *...
, one of the most beautiful locations near the city. He planned on a large-scale building program to expand the college; however, his plans were met with strong opposition from the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
. On 20 May 1922, the first of seven planned buildings was finally dedicated. Tipple resigned as president of the college on 20 November 1923, stating ill heath as the necessitating cause, and shortly thereafter the new fascist government would stall and eventually stop the extensive building plans.
During 1910 to 1924 Tipple embarked on numerous lecture trips throughout the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany. He was a delegate to the world convention of the YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
at Robert College
Robert College
Robert College of Istanbul , is one of the most selective independent private high schools in Turkey. Robert College is a co-educational, boarding school with a wooded campus on the European side of Istanbul between the two bridges on the Bosphorus, with the Arnavutköy district to the east, and...
in Constantinople in 1911 and a delegate to the Ecumenical Conference in Edinburgh, 1913. From 1912 to 1924 he was correspondent-at-large in Europe and North Africa for the Christian Science Monitor. During World War I, he maintained social service rooms in the Methodist building in Rome for British and American soldiers and sailors. He was received at the Italian Court in 1910. In July, 1915, he was conferred Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy
Order of the Crown of Italy
The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861...
(Cavaliere dell' Ordine della Corona d'Italia) by King Victor Emanuel III and in 1920 he was made Commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy
Order of the Crown of Italy
The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861...
for making Americans aware of Italy's sacrifice during the Great war. Tipple was also a Mason
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
(33rd degree of Italy). In his later years he focused on traveling, lecturing and writing. He joined his daughter Silva Tipple New Lake on the American expedition to the ruins at Van Fortress
Van Fortress
The Fortress of Van is a massive stone fortification built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu during the 9th to 7th centuries BC, and is the largest example of its kind. It overlooks the ruins of Tushpa the ancient Urartian capital during the 9th c. which was centered upon the steep-sided bluff...
, Turkey, in 1938-40. He died on 19 October 1952.