REV. NORMAN E. HARPER

1950-1951      

Norman was born on Dec. 12, 1929, in Jackson, MS, the son of Isaac C. Harper and Lulah Solomon Harper. He attended French Camp Academy graduating in 1946. While there he met and later married Mary Ida Downing, daughter of Remer Moffet & Lucy Henderson Downing of French Camp. He graduated with honors from Mississippi College with a B.A. in Pre- Law in 1948 and then continued at Mississippi College to earn his M.A. with further emphasis in Pre-Law. 

Harper served as principal and teacher at schools in French Camp and Brandon, MS. In 1956 he earned the MDiv degree from Columbia Theological Seminary and was ordained to the gospel ministry by Central Mississippi Presbytery of the PCUS. He earned a Ph.D. in education from the University of Mississippi in 1964. 

Dr. Harper served pastorates in Wynndale, Raymond, Clarksdale, and Laurel, MS; served as Professor of Bible and Christian Education at Belhaven College in Jackson, MS for over 10 years; was co-founder of the Southern Association of Christian Schools; served on the faculty of Reformed Theological Seminary as Professor of Christian Education; founded The Graduate School for Christian Education, which began at RTS and was later moved to Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA; provided guiding consultation for the founding of multiple Christian schools throughout the United States, especially in the southeastern states. He authored the book, Making Disciples, The Challenge of Christian Education. 

Being no stranger to the French Camp community, Dr. Harper filled the pulpit at the Presbyterian Church as supply pastor in 1950-51, but also on numerous other occasions throughout his life. He died on November 9, 1996, in Madison, MS, and was buried in the French Camp Cemetery.