"[11] At the same meeting, the APCA elected a standing committee on education with Norris as chairman and Reynolds chosen to be the financial secretary.
Charles H. BeVier (born 5 September 1858; died about 1905), then pastor of the John Wesley Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn, New York;[17] and Rev.
[19] By the summer of 1900, Pettit had recruited a faculty and the APCA's official periodical, the Beulah Christian announced that the Pentecostal Collegiate Institute would begin operation in September 1900.
[24] For the first year, PCI was based in the rented Garden View House, a Summer resort hotel at 536 Broadway Avenue, Saratoga Springs,[25] that had the capacity for seventy-five students.
Additionally, they indicated "both mind and body ruled by a blood washed, fire crowned spirit is the end sought for every student.
"[28] As a consequence, from its inception, there was a commitment to a balanced educational preparation for ministry, however "tremendous pressure was applied throughout the year to bring every student into a profession of saving and sanctifying grace.
[32] Pettit was chosen to become principal, while remaining as president of PCI,[33] and continuing to serve as the pastor of the Grace Pentecostal Church.
[34] The standing educational committee also recommended that "a building be erected for the Pentecostal College at a cost not to exceed $20,000, provided that $10,000 in good subscriptions could be secured.
Additionally, eight new faculty members were added, including "Mother" Ella Winslow Perry (born June 1856 in Vermont; died 25 November 1919 in Buldana, India),[41] who was the widow of Rev.
[49] Despite the growth in enrolment and Pettit continuing to serve without remuneration, finances were challenging as only six of the 30 APCA congregations provided any financial support.
[51] At the 7th annual meeting of the APCA held in April 1902, Pettit reported that "the number of faculty members had increased to fourteen and the enrollment had nearly doubled.
"[14] Due to conflicts with Pettit over unauthorised expenditures and unfunded debt levels,[52] the educational committee of the APCA decided to increase its control over PCI and its president, to insist upon more financial accountability,[51] to incorporate PCI with its own board of trustees,[53] to sell the property of the school "as soon as sale could be effected advantageously",[54] and to secure property in the name of the APCA.
[53] The educational committee decided to disassociate itself from PCI and Pettit, and responded by announcing that "it had been thought best, all things considered, to sever all connections with the Pentecostal Collegiate Institute, at Saratoga Springs, New York, under its present management.
"[51] According to official Nazarene historian Timothy L. Smith: Pettit's zeal outran the limits of financial wisdom, and his personal life fell far short of the heights which he proclaimed in his sermon oratory.
These facts did not become clear, however, until May 1902, when H. Brown visited Saratoga to investigate rumors of fanaticism and questionable moral conduct on the part of the leaders of the school.
[58] Despite few of the faculty or students deciding to transfer their allegiance or enrolment to the new school,[53] Pettit was unable to meet the mortgage commitments, and PCI closed in February 1903.
When the APCA refused to accept responsibility for some of the Saratoga debts, Hoople resigned as superintendent of home missions, but remained within the denomination.