Highlights of History

On May 26, 1950, the Baptist Missionary Association of America voted to consider an invitation from the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas to make Jacksonville (Texas) College Seminary a project of the national association. At its next annual meeting on March 14, 1951, the Association selected a committee of five to investigate proposed locations for the founding of a national seminary.

Definite action was taken by the B.M.A. of America on March 17, 1954, when a committee composed of D. N. Jackson, G. D. Kellar, J. W. Duggar, E. B. Jones and L. H. Raney was authorized to select twenty others to serve with them to draft and present at the next annual meeting a definite proposal of how and when to begin a seminary. The first trustees, elected on March 30, 1955, were D. N. Jackson, W. J. Dorman, M. E. Childers, W. C. Lacy, A. R. Reddin, L. H. Raney, H. A. Purtle, C. O. Strong, Alfred Jones, C. L. Hall, D. D. Morgan, G. D. Kellar, J. W. Pope, J. Howard White and W. S. Gordon.

The first trustees were granted authority to select a site, acquire property, secure a faculty and solicit funds from the churches of the national association. Jacksonville, Texas, was selected for the permanent location. A land grant of ten acres was given by Dr. J. M. Travis and William S. Gober. Another seven acres were acquired at a later date. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 15, 1956, and all but the chapel of the new seminary complex was completed in time for the first classes to begin on September 8, 1957. Fifty-seven students from six states made up the first class.

There were five faculty members and one secretary in the first year of school. Dr. G. D. Kellar served as president; Dr. W. J. Dorman, as dean; John W. Gregson, as registrar; Dr. D. N. Jackson and Harold Brunson as professors. The administrators also taught. Mrs. John W. Gregson was secretary and bookkeeper. Most of the first faculty had already been serving as the faculty of Jacksonville College Seminary which by authorized arrangement was merged with the newly established national seminary.

Dr. Gerald D. Kellar served as president from June, 1956, to May, 1967. Dr. John W. Gregson succeeded him as president and served from June, 1967, to November, 1971. Dr. Philip R. Bryan, dean since 1967, served as acting president from November 1971, to March, 1973, at which time Dr. John W. Duggar began to serve.

A new library building was begun shortly after the groundbreaking on May 21, 1963, and was completed in time for dedication and a grand opening on February 18, 1964. It was named Kellar Library.

On January 18, 1971, the seminary was granted associate membership in the Association of Theological Schools.

A new library addition was begun in 1980 with the dedication and grand opening on February 17, 1981. The trustees named it the John W. Duggar Library Annex. It doubled the size of the library which now has holdings of over 64,000 volumes.

In December of 1982, the seminary was designated a Candidate for Accreditation by the Committee on Standards and Reports of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA. 30033-4097; Phone: 404-679-4501) to award the Associate of Divinity, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Master of Arts in Religion, and Master of Divinity degrees.

August 1, 1983, Dr. Philip R. Bryan succeeded Dr. John W. Duggar as president of the seminary.

In December 1986, accreditation was granted by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Reaffirmation of accreditation was received in December 1991 and December 2001.

In 1992 the seminary library became a member of the Forest Trail Library Consortium.

A major renovation campaign was initiated during the 1993-'94 school year. Over $200,000 was raised and applied to repairing and remodeling of student housing.

May 18, 1999, Dr. Charley Holmes succeeded Dr. Philip R. Bryan as president of the seminary.

In August 2003, the seminary received initial certification from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to offer graduate theological education at an extension site on the campus of Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas. This extension site was opened under the direction of Dr. Thom South and serves the needs of Arkansas students.

Progress has been made under every administration, and the seminary continues to grow in students, faculty, financial support, and outreach ministry to preachers, lay workers and churches of the Baptist Missionary Association of America and other Christian groups.