Scarritt College established the Scarritt College Rural Center near Crossville, TN, in January 1942 as a training ground for rural missionaries. The Dean of the Center was Dr. Leslie G. Templin, and Mabel K. Howell was the inspirational leader.

The Center consisted of 420 acres; 120 acres were dedicated to cultivation, and the remaining land was converted to a lake and wooded area. The Center's buildings included a dormitory, a library, a church, worker's homes, a crafts room, a milking barn, and a variety of sheds and barns on a well-equipped farm. The Center allowed Scarritt College students to gain familiarity with scientific procedures on a small scale, insight into the problems unique to rural people, and real-life experience that could be applied to the improvement of farm land throughout the world.

In addition, these farming projects were cooperative programs of a social and religious nature; students could work with children, youth, and adults in many areas, from Sunday School to crafts.

During its seven-year run, the Center proved its unique ability to train students as missionaries to rural areas around the world.