American Baptist College

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

American Baptist College (also known as American Baptist Theological Seminary or ABTS) is a small, predominantly African American liberal arts college located in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1924, its predecessor was Roger Williams University, a black college begun in the late-19th century and closed in the early 20th century (Its campus is now occupied by Peabody College of Vanderbilt University). Primarily a school designed to train African American Baptist ministers, its student body was highly influential in the civil rights movement.

[edit] History

The college officially opened under the name of the American Baptist Theological Seminary on September 14, 1924. In 1971, the school became an accredited four-year undergraduate bible college, and its official name was changed to American Baptist College. The college was originally formed as a joint educational partnership between the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention, USA. The Southern Baptist Convention withdrew its support of the college in 1995. The college continues to serve as the primary theological training center for the NBC, USA Inc.