In 1844, the Methodist Episcopal Church split, north and south, with the Methodists of the southern branch calling themselves the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.  The split was over slavery, and in some degree, with particular emphasis on whether preachers of the church should own slaves.

The area in which we are situated was a lapland of sorts - with both branches of Wesley's movement vying for the upper hand. Both groups carried forward the passion for founding colleges. The two would remain split until 1939.

At the time of its founding in 1849, Hiwassee College had no formal partnership with the Methodist Conference. It had clear identification as a Methodist mission, but there would be no official relationship with the denomination for 60 years.
While the Church did not immediately accept Hiwassee College as a related institution, church events would influence and challenge Hiwassee College from its beginning.

Dr. John Hamilton Brunner, the longest-serving president of Hiwassee College was a Methodist minister. He was committed to developing a formal relationship with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He believed in the connection with the church - an identification with the tradition that gave Hiwassee its birth.

Dr. Brunner served as president for 35 years. He sat in the president's chair three different times. Each time, he allegedly petitioned the Holston Conference for official recognition. Each time, the petition was denied. At one point following rejection, Dr. Brunner left Hiwassee's presidency to return to the parish.

Brunner served as Hiwassee president during the time leading up to the Civil War.  There was distress throughout the area, and the college struggled.
Hiwassee's life was impacted by the war and the church in a curious way. Bishop Early of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was strongly pro-southern.  The Holston Annual Conference also expressed that loyalty.  Indeed, a preacher known to be sympathetic with the Federal cause was not to serve an appointment!

Dr. Brunner was a member of the church committee responsible for determining the loyalty of preachers to the "Southern Cause." He also was secretary to the annual conference, a position of great influence.

In one instance, Dr. Brunner was on his way to a church meeting with papers regarding the Loyalty Committee's work when he was arrested by Union troops.  One Hiwassee history states, "Dr. Brunner became the only Hiwassee president known to be arrested"!

During the Civil War, Hiwassee did cease operation briefly. It also served as a hospital for wounded soldiers.