By Warren Steury

Far off in the mountains of Virginia there is a group of Christian Gentlemen building a boys boarding school. It’s not high-tech, it’s not “normal”, and it’s not easy to get to. What it is, is some kind of paradise, a reality isolated from the un-reality of modernity, and an institution that is committed whole-heartedly to the development of Christian Gentlemen through education and experience.

Last fall I visited, and wrote an article about, St. Dunstan’s Academy is Roseland, VA. When I first visited they were in the early stages of campus development, so early that students were living in tents (which is awesome) and they were putting the finishing touches on their first dormitory building. I visited campus again this past weekend and now that dorm is complete and Joshua Program students have moved in and turned it into a home.

The Joshua Program is St. Dunstan’s gap year program for high school graduates described as 8 months “of residential living with hands-on experiences and a curated reading curriculum.” For young men who are unsure of their career path, and are wise enough to not throw tens of thousands of dollars down the drain without a plan for college, St Dunstan’s program offers a spiritually, mentally, and physically vigorous educational and cultural experience. One that you will find in few other places.

I was first introduced to Fr. Mark Perkins and Headmaster Thomas Fickley after a conversation with Dr. Nicholas Ellis, CEO of Christian Halls, about my goals for Meriwether Academy. He connected me with Fr. Perkins and I drove out to Roseland, VA from Nashville, TN to see for myself what these men were building. Impressed, amazed, inspired, excited; all words that fail to meet my true feelings towards these people and their project.

Besides becoming good friends, they have offered countless advices and tips as I continue our work with Meriwether to build a boys school in Tennessee with similar merits.

I came up this past weekend to celebrate the Feast of St. Dunstan with them. Members of the local community gathered for some BBQ, bluegrass, and wholesome family time around the campfire. I had the opportunity to meet wonderful people and learn how they heard about St. Dunstan’s, and what they think about the project. Everyone is incredibly optimistic and excited to see the true impact this Academy is going to make on their students.

So what’s next for St. Dunstan’s? The Great Hall! A massive timber frame structure being raised this summer will be the epicenter of their campus. I plan on making the pilgrimage out to VA to participate myself and any of the guys here in Nashville who’d like to join can hitch a ride with me. I am focused heavily on seeking out and learning more from institutions adjacent to Meriwether, like St. Dunstan’s, as I move forward and refine our own plans to open the boys school here in TN.

During my roadtrip I listened to a few videos about who St. Dunstan was. He lived in the 10th century, studied under Irish monks, and served a number of clergy roles, included as the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was a musician and a goldsmith and metalworker. In 988 he received a vision in a dream about his impending death, he announced this news to his congregation, and died in bed a few days later.

The devil was said to have lingered around St. Dunstan’s cell many times and in many forms. In one instance, St. Dunstan quickly turned around with a set of hot irons, caught the devil by the nose, and threw him out for good.

Learn more about St. Dunstan’s Academy on their website, and if you are in the area reach out to them for a visit! They are very friendly and very welcoming to visitors and volunteers.

Until next time!