Chronology of Vories -1880～1905-
Birth～Visit to Japan
| 1880 | Birth | Merrell was born on October 28, 1880, in Leavenworth, Kansas,the first child born to John and Julia. His father, John, whose ancestors were Dutch, was a successful businessman and served earnestly in the church. His mother, Julia, was a Sunday school teacher. As a girl, Julia dreamed of going abroad as a missionary. She continued praying that if she had a son she would raise him to dedicate himself to foreign missions and so fulfill her vision. With his devoted parents, Merrell started to attend church at the age of four.   |
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Mr.Vorise birthplace 
William in infancy 
His parents John and Julia
Tombstone of ” William Merrell” Maternal Grand Father 
Leavenworth Presbyterian church |
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| 1887 | Age 7 |
Merrell's musical abilities are awakened in elementary school At this time he started to show his music ability through playing the piano and composing music. Later he wrote both word and music of hymn in 1908 and 1910 which was enjoyed singing for a long time in Church of Japan. The word was also known in U.S.A. hymn. |
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Merrell & his younger brother John |
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| 1888 | Age 8 |
The Vories family moves to Flagstaff, Arizona, because of Merrell’s health. When Merrell was seven years old, the family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, as he was sickly and had been diagnosed with tuberculosis. When they visited the Grand Canyon, he was so impressed by the sight and all Creation. The beauty of nature impressed him so much that his appreciation of nature was refined. He recalled "Since I first saw the San Francisco Peaks, I have never forgotten the feeling of awe and something divine.” Living in this wonderful surroundings and climate, Merrell expanded his knowledge of history, humanity, geology. You can find the article of the story on Vories family in the journal of Arizona History Autumn 1997 issued. |
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William in elementary school 
Flagstaff Presbyterian Church 
Grand Canyon |
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| 1896 | Age 16 |
The Vories family moves to Denver , Colorado, where Merrell enrolls at East Denver High School Living in the American West impressed young Merrell with the “frontier spirit,” the indomitable drive to build something new and better in a new land.  |
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Denver Central Presbyterian Church 
East Denver High School |
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| 1900 | Age 20 |
Merrell enrolls at Colorado College, in Colorado Springs. He planned to move to MIT to study to be an architect. He also showed a keen interest in the YMCA movement in his college and he became the treasurer of the Colorado College YMCA. During his student days, he made good friends and he developed his lifelong desire to practice his Christian faith in daily life. The YMCA building in Omi Hachiman was built in memory of his close friend, Herbert C. Andrews.  |
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Mr.Vories at Colorado College 
Colorado College |
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| 1902 | Age 22 |
Attends the Fourth International Convention of the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions, held at Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada Merrell listened as Mrs. Howard Taylor, who was a missionary to China, testified about the persecution and martyrdom of Christians there. He felt that her face was transformed to that of Christ questioning him, "What are you going to do?" Moved by Mrs. Taylor's testimony, he changed his mind about pursuing his career as an architect and instead dedicated his life to foreign missions in remote areas. |
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Massay Hall now 
New York student volunteer movement for foreign missions 1902 
Interior of Massay Hall in 1902 
Mrs. Howard Taylor |
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| 1905 | Age 25 |
【January】Leaves for Japan After graduating from college in 1904, Merrell worked at the YMCA in Colorado Springs waiting for an overseas ministry assignment from the SVM in New York. Before long, his application was accepted and he was sent to Shiga Prefectural Commercial School, which had requested a native English-speaking teacher. He left San Francisco for Yokohama, Japan by steamer on January 10, 1905. |
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The Steam Ship China bound for Japan |
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【February】Starts his English teaching job at the Shiga Prefectural Commercial School After arriving at Yokohama by the S. S. China, Vories traveled by train to Omih Hachiman, and arrived there on February 2, 1905. When he stood at the remote rural station on a cold windy day, he was only 24 years old. He felt very lonely and uneasy, but wrote in his diary, I believe God sent me here, so I will never move until He makes me move. The new American teacher became very popular with his students. As soon as he arrived in Omi Hachiman, he met a Japanese Christian and together they started Bible classes after school at the house provided for the English teacher. 40 to 100 students gathered together at each class.  |
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Mr.Vories and Students at his Bible class 
Former Hachiman YMCA designed and built by Mr. Vories Feb. 10,1907. Financed by his savings and donations from his friends in America. 
Mr.Vories in his room |
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