Christendom College founder Warren Carroll dies at 79

Jul 18, 2011 / 23:55 pm

Warren H. Carroll, a Catholic historian and founder of Christendom College, died on July 17 at the age of 79.

“Catholics praying for a renewal of Catholic life in America had a real hero in Dr. Carroll, and there is so much to be grateful for,” said Patrick J. Reilly, president of Front Royal, Virginia-based Cardinal Newman Society. “We now pray that he is resting joyfully in the light of his great love, Jesus Christ.”

Carroll, a Maine native, received a master’s degree and a doctorate in history from Columbia University. He served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps and worked for the Central Intelligence Agency between 1955 and 1961. He also served as a historian for the Second Air Force’s Strategic Air Command.

He served on the California State Senate staff from 1967 to 1970 and was a staff member for the U.S. Congress from 1970 to 1972.

Carroll was a convert to Catholicism in 1968 under the influence of his wife Anne, according to Christendom.

“Carroll saw what was wrong in modern education a long time before he saw what was right about Christianity,” the college said on its website. “He maintained that the people teaching in the university did not care whether truth existed or not, and it didn’t matter to them. But to him, it mattered a great deal.”

In 1973 he joined the staff of “Triumph,” a monthly Catholic journal of opinion founded by L. Brent Bozell, Jr.

When the magazine closed, Carroll decided to advance its vision by founding Christendom College, which would acquire a reputation for its steadfast commitment to Catholic tradition. It opened in September 1977 in Triangle, Virginia and later moved to Front Royal.

He served as its president until 1985 and then chaired its history department until he retired in 2002.

Before his retirement, he was one of the few teachers that every student had in common.

In addition to his teaching duties, he authored several history books including a multi-volume “History of Christendom.”

Carroll, in his comments on the school’s 25th anniversary in 2002, credited the success of the college to divine providence.

“Why did God want Christendom College to grow and flourish? Because Christendom College is educating and preparing young men and women who will bring what our great and holy Pope John Paul II calls ‘the new springtime of the Church,’” he said.

“In the face of scandals and despair, believe in that new springtime! It is coming and nothing can stop it! For proof, look at our history. Our graduates will be leading the new springtime.”

Surviving Carroll is his wife, Anne. Christendom College described its 2,640 alumni and their children as his “adopted children and grandchildren.” Graduates of the college include 63 priests and 43 religious sisters and brothers.

A viewing of his body is scheduled for July 25 at All Saints’ Catholic Church in Manassas, Virginia from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held at All Saints’ Church on July 26 at 10 a.m.