The South Bend Charge originated the Harrison Davison Memorial Scholarship Fund in 1989 to honor the memory of Harrison Davidson, who served as the Charge's pastor from 1975 to 1986. The South Bend Charge is made of of three churches sharing the same pastor; St. Jacob's in South Bend, St. Thomas in Gastown, and St. Paul's in Rural Valley.

Rev. Davidson was a strong proponent of life-long education throughout his special tenure in our three small United Church of Christ churches, and it was thought fitting to honor his memory with this on-going ministry of the members.

The fund has raised almost $65,000 in the past decade through the efforts of the parishioners. The fund has grown through offerings at our joint World Wide Prayer Service, special annual offerings at each church, youth events, and at our yearly outdoor joint service at the Elderton Community Park.

Additonal growth has been through members who make donations as part of their weekly offering, and living gifts in memory of those who have gone home to the Lord.

On June 4, 2000, the Harrison Davidson Memorial Scholarship Committee met at St. Jacob to finalize the student grants for the 2002-2001 school year. Eleven grants of $300.00 each were awarded.

This year's total grants of $3,300 given out brings the total distributed since the Fund's beginning to almost $30,000, while the protected principal of the Fund has now reached the $34,500 mark.

The Fund committee consists of two members from each church of the original charge:St. Jacob UCC, St. Thomas UCC and St. Paul"s Congregational Church. St. Paul has since left the UCC denomination and joined another, but they still maintain their relationship with the Fund along with the other two churches.

Arlene Davidson, Harrison's widow, and Harrison's brother, Dr. Loren Davidson, are permanent members of the scholarship board. Helen Schrecongost and Don Altman represent St. Jacob UCC on the board during the year 2004