THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Origins of Lincoln Christian University (1944)

With the announcement on Oct. 11 that Lincoln Christian University will be closing at the end of this academic year, it seemed fitting to share some news stories about the school from Christian Standard’s archives. 

LCU was founded in 1944 as Lincoln Bible Institute. Former Christian Standard editor S.S. Lappin wrote our first article about the school. 

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A New Venture of Faith 

As told by S.S. Lappin 
March 25, 1944; p. 1 

The closing hour of the Evangelistic Rally at Lincoln, Ill., Feb. 23 and 24, marked a culmination that will be of wide interest. The announcement by Earl C. Hargrove, minister at Lincoln, that a new preacher-training school would be opened there in September sent a thrill over the great crowd. It was the outcome of several conferences that covered many months of deliberation and discussion. 

The matter had been projected within a limited circle at Lake James during the session of 1940. A conference of Logan County ministers was held at Atlanta, Ill., on Sept. 28, 1943. A committee on location was there named. This committee reported to a larger gathering at Clinton, on Oct. 29, favoring Lincoln, Logan County. Several factors led to this recommendation. The geographical position and transportation facilities were right. The great church at Lincoln is soundly typical of Restoration ideals and favorable to such an enterprise in the community. Lincoln College is located there, operating as a Junior college now, in which all academic instruction can be had at reasonable cost, thus making it unnecessary to provide a large general faculty. The report was adopted and another meeting projected. This, a still larger assembly of central Illinois ministers, was held at Lincoln, on Jan. 5, 1944. In this meeting a general discussion was conducted and plans made for organization. 

Report can now be made as to the tentative board of managers, the policy of the school and the date of opening. Faculty personnel will be published later. The relation between the new school, to be known as Lincoln Bible Institute, and Lincoln College is being worked out by joint committees named for that purpose. 

Nine of ten who will act as a board of managers are as follows: Earl C. Hargrove, minister at Lincoln; Charles Scott, businessman, Clinton; Howard Yonaka, minister at Flora; Roy Moore, farmer, Mt. Pulaski; Orval Morgan, minister at Broadway Church, Lexington, Ky.; Paul Coffman, businessman, Lincoln; Harry B. Wheaton, minister at Clinton; Jesse Eury, farmer, Lincoln; Reuben Anderson, minister, West Side Church, Springfield. Decision of tenth man delayed. . . . 

In good churches near Lincoln are to be found able ministers who are favorable to this enterprise and who can be called in as faculty aids and special lecturers, much as was done in the beginnings of that now flourishing school, Cincinnati Bible Seminary. 

Owing to the very liberal attitude of the trustees of Lincoln College, tuition and other fees in Lincoln Bible Institute can be kept to a minimum. Already, two weeks after the first public announcement, inquiries are being received from prospective students. A number of young preachers within reach who lack a year or two for graduation will be enrolled at the opening. There are near-by congregations in need of preaching where these and others can have employment while completing their courses. The demand for such training comes with emphasis from the several service camps within reach, where young men and women have enlisted for life service and seek adequate training. Homes in Lincoln will be opened for students . . . 

This is a venture of faith. No “big money” has been assured. No money with strings on it is desired. . . . Appeal is made to that great constituency of faithful men and women who, though unable to give largely, desire to see the gospel run and be glorified and will become regular supporters with such means as are at their disposal. The school would rather have ten thousand donors give in one- two- and five-dollar amounts than to have anyone give ten thousand dollars. By the faith and loyalty of many, Lincoln Bible Institute will be established. . . . 

[Lincoln College closed in 2022.] 

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Lincoln Bible Institute 

Earl C. Hargrove, President 
Aug. 18, 1945; p. 6  

Ever and again the question is raised, “Why a new Bible college in the state of Illinois?” “Was the establishment of a new college justified?” “Do we not have enough colleges?” 

The persons who raise these questions need to have rehearsed for them the stubborn facts that called Lincoln Bible Institute into existence: 

1. There was no college in the near vicinity which was offering adequate, complete and thorough training for the ministry. 

2. The state of Illinois and adjoining territory in Indiana and Missouri is marked by hundreds of congregations that are dying because they are not able to secure ministers. 

3. Illinois and adjoining territory ranks among the foremost in the relative number of Christian churches. It seems but a part of common sense that such a vast territory in which are situated so many churches should be served by a college that is equipped to give adequate training for the ministry. 

It is the policy of the school to make Jesus, the Christ, the Head of His body, the church central and supreme. . . . 

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L. B. I. to Buy Quarters; Hargrove Elected President 

March 2, 1946; p. 13 

In May, 1945, at the close of its first full year of operation, the Lincoln Bible Institute moved from rented facilities in connection with Lincoln Junior College to the old building formerly occupied by Lincoln Business College. The Institute leased the building for one year with an option to buy. The building was remodeled to suit the needs of the Institute, and now has in it three small classrooms on the first floor, with a large commodious library room. The office is also located on the first floor. On the second floor is the chapel room, seating seventy-five people, and the students lounge room for social gatherings and other necessary meetings. There is a full unfinished basement. The building is 65 by 45 feet, made of concrete block, and is in good condition. The building is so constructed that it can be turned into a dormitory or apartments should the Institute outgrow it. The Institute is now seeking to pay off the remaining $2,000 indebtedness. 

Earl C. Hargrove, who has been serving the Institute as its acting president during its period of organization, was unanimously elected to the office of president of the school at the December meeting of the board of trustees. 

Mr. Hargrove, a graduate of the graduate school of Phillips University, is in his ninth year as minister of the Lincoln Christian Church. 

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LBI Becomes LCC 

January 20, 1962; p. 12 

LINCOLN, ILL.—On Jan. 1, Lincoln Bible Institute changed its name to Lincoln Christian College, following two years of study by the faculty, board of advisers and trustees. 

The purpose of the change of names is to clarify the educational program of the undergraduate school which is operated on a four-year college level, and to distinguish the graduate school (an additional three-year program), which will be known as Lincoln Christian Seminary. The change of names does not alter the purpose and policy of the school, officials state. 

Lincoln Bible Institute was established in 1944. Total enrollment last year reached 452, with 27 faculty members. The present campus includes thirty-five acres, and a projected expansion program will include an additional one hundred five acres. 

Lincoln Christian College is accredited by the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges. Earl C. Hargrove, a former minister of the Lincoln Christian Church, is president. 

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Lincoln Christian College became Lincoln Christian University in 2009. As covered in our news story a week ago, LCU is closing at the end of May 2024, but Lincoln Christian Seminary will be incorporated into Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Mo.; its name will change to Lincoln Seminary at Ozark Christian College.