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 in black Baptist education was Roger Williams University, a Nashville 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). Upon full accreditation by the American Association of Bible Colleges, ABTS officially dropped use of the term "Theological Seminary" and renamed itself American Baptist College of ABTS. Recently, on March 25, 2013, the college was granted the honor of being named as a Historically Black College and University commonly referred to as an HBCU.
History
The college officially opened under the name of the American Baptist Theological Seminary on September 14, 1924. In 1971, the school became accredited 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, Inc.. The Southern Baptist Convention withdrew its one of the founding fathers of the College. At its annual meeting in 1913, the National Baptist Convention appointed a committee to investigate support of the college in 1995. The college continues to serve as the primary theological training center for the NBC, USA Inc.
The idea of a seminary for the training of Black Baptist ministers grew out of conversation between National Baptist leaders and Dr. O.L. Hailey, the possibility of establishing a seminary for the education of its ministers. In a resolution presented by Dr. E.Y. Mullin and adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in that same year, the convention pledged its cooperation and appointed a similar committee. The committees of the two conventions met together and the following year recommended to their respective bodies that the college be established in Memphis, Tennessee. It was later decided to establish the College in Nashville. The present site of 53 acres was purchased with the help of the National Baptists in 1921, and a plan calling for the management of the seminary by a holding board and a governing board representative of the two conventions was adopted. The first building, Griggs Hall, was erected in 1923 and housed dormitory rooms, dining hall, library, and classrooms.
American Baptist College formally opened its doors for the training of Christian workers under the name of the American Baptist Theological Seminary on September 14, 1924. In 1937, the Southern Baptist Convention agreed to share 50/50 with the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. in the operation of the College. The unprecedented cooperation between the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. and the Southern Baptist Convention created a unique educational opportunity for African American clergy to gain higher biblical and theological education for over five decades. Due to this partnership, the Southern Baptist Convention helped prepare students and a broad spectrum of church leaders who were ready to meet the challenges of the Civil Rights movement led by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Providing scholarships and fiscal support of the operations of American Baptist College, the Southern Baptist Convention made a significant contribution to the education of men and women for Christian service in the world. In order to support the future growth and flourishing of the College, the Southern Baptist Convention continued in that partnership until a joint decision to turn over the assets to the Board of Trustees of American Baptist College in 1996.
The College has educated Civil Rights champions, national leaders and outstanding Christian ministers. The school’s history during the 1960s and 1970s was lively with cultivating civil rights champions, national leaders and outstanding Christian ministers. Students from American Baptist College, such as Julius Scruggs, Bernard Lafayette, James Bevel, William Barbee and John Lewis served on the front line of the Nashville Student Sit-In movement for justice and change. Under the tutelage of then Professor J.F Grimmett, the late the Rev. Kelly Miller Smith, and Rev Dr. C.T. Vivian, many of our students dared to sit down at lunch counters dramatically altering the quality of life for Americans living in the South. They sat, marched, and persevered through arrests and beatings before they were victorious in pursuit of justice and human rights. The campus itself was a popular command post for organizing and training students for social justice causes throughout the city at the time. American Baptist College can boast that a number of its students from that period have gone on to become major names in civil rights history and American politics (e.g., Congressman John Lewis, Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Dr. Julius Scruggs). American Baptist College aka "The Holy Hill"
Civil Rights Movement
Nashville was the "University of Nonviolence...the movement's research laboratory...here the nonviolent sit-in was first methodically theorized, practiced, and tested...An extraordinary number of [Civil Rights] Movement leaders got their start in Nashville...Their organizational energy was felt throughout the South for the next decade." Weary Feet, Rested Souls: A Guided History of the Civil Rights Movement.
Author Townsend Davis lists graduates of this "University of Nonviolence": James Bevel, Bernard Lafayette, John Lewis, C.T. Vivian (American Baptist Theological Seminary students); Diane Nash and Marion Berry (Fisk University students). He also notes the leadership of Rev. Kelly Miller Smith (pastor, First Baptist Capitol Hill and professor at ABTS). In the recent "rolling history lesson" on the 1961 Freedom Rides [January 27â€"28, 2007], American Baptist College was represented by Bernard Lafayette, John Lewis, C.T. Vivian and four current students as well as one of our faculty members. Rev. James Lawson spoke often during this journey of the impact of the Nashville movement on the national movement, from 1959 until now, and of the importance of American Baptist. A number of people have tried to figure out why so many of the national civil rights leaders came from American Baptist College, a small four year historically black college in North Nashville. Noting that American Baptist was seldom even mentioned, David Halberstam, author of The Children explains:
"It was a place without pretense, without class lines...But at a time when the black church was becoming the driving force of a larger social revolution taking place in the United States, American Baptist had become a magnet for many of the most talented and passionate young blacks in the country. For young blacks in small towns in the South, dreaming of doing something for their own people, did not in those days dream of going to Harvard or Yale or Stanford Law, they dreamt of going into the Baptist ministry. Therefore the talent and the passion and the innate human strength of the students at American Baptist had nothing to do with the seeming simplicity and relative poverty of the school. It was a place filled with political ferment and passion. Its faculty was gifted and its students, many of them diamonds in the rough, were hungry to learn." [p.65]
Historic district
The American Baptist Theological Seminary Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 2013. The listing recognized the institution's significance for African American ethnic heritage, education, and religion, as well as its role in the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-twentieth century. Contributing elements in the historic district include the historic plan and landscape of the campus at 1800 Baptist World Center Drive in Nashville, as well as three historic buildings: Griggs Hall (built in 1924), the J.B. Lawrence Administration Building (built in 1947), and the T.L. Holcomb Library (built in 1954).
College Facilities
The T.L. Holcomb and Susie McClure Library
The mission of the T.L. Holcomb and Susie McClure Library is to support the academic objectives, programs, and curriculum of American Baptist College by providing appropriate resources and services. The T.L. Holcomb and Susie McClure Library serves both the entire student body and its surrounding community. The T.L. Holcomb and Susie McClure library is a three-floor facility located in the center of campus. The Library provides research and study areas, houses the ABC Chapel and a computer lab.
The Library collection contains more than 14,000+ volumes, over 200 periodicals, and a rare collection of Bibles in over 300 different languages. The collected writings of Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi can be found in the library’s reading room. The library has also received generous donations from the private collections of Dr. Renita J. Weems, Harmon Wray, and Professor Janet Wolf. These donated books cover a variety of topics including ethics, politics, social justice, theology, and Christian leadership.
The T.L. Holcomb and Susie McClure Library is a member of Project Athena. This membership enables the library to share resources with other libraries. The library staff also offers one-on-one reference assistance as well as the classroom instruction in research skills and the use of specific electronic databases.
T.L. Holcomb Chapel
Chapel Services are required and held weekly in the T.L. Holcomb Chapel. Every service involves students, staff, and faculty with occasional guest preachers, alumni, and scholars in residence. Chapel services are mandatory and held weekly on Tuesday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Vesper Service is held weekly on Friday beginning at 6:45 pm (attendance not required).
J. H. Flakes and J. B. Lawrence Administration Building
The Administration building was completed in 1946 and is named in honor of Dr. J.B. Lawrence, a former Secretary of the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board. In 2011, Rev. J. H. Flakes’ name was added to the administration building in honor of his work and ministry on behalf of the college. This building houses administrative offices and classrooms.
Griggs Hall
Griggs Hall was the first building constructed on the campus in 1923. It was named to honor the legacy of the Griggs family: Dr. Sutton E. Griggs was the first president of American Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) and his father, Dr. A.R. Griggs, served as the secretary of the National Baptist Education Board. In 1948, a fifty-foot addition to the structure was completed. The schools first cafeteria was originally housed in the basement of the hall, along with modest laundry facilities. Currently, this building is undergoing renovation. 2012 â€" 2013 Student Handbook | 11
Baptist World Center
Dedicated in 1989, the Baptist World Center was constructed as a state-of-the-art Official International Headquarters for the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. It is the very first building of its kind erected by the convention. The Baptist World Center is located on the south edge of the campus, on the original site of the former National Baptist Missionary Training center. It houses administrative offices of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and is used by American Baptist College for classroom space, events, workshops, and the campus dining hall. The sanctuary is large enough to accommodate the Annual Mid-Winter Board Meeting of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., as well as annual lectures and major conferences and convocations of the college.
John R. Lewis and Julius R. Scruggs Leadership Development Center
The Lewis-Scruggs building was opened in 2005 and named in honor of two ABC alumni, Congressman John R. Lewis (D-GA) and Rev. Dr. Julius R. Scruggs, ABC Board Member and Vice President at Large, National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated. The Leadership Center is located behind the T.L. Holcomb Library and Susie McClure Library
Alumni Hall
Alumni Hall is a single-story structure that was named in honor of the College’s alumni. The hall, located near student apartments on the north edge of campus, is used to house the department of Campus Operations.
Student Activities
American Baptist College has a variety of organizations, committees, and activities.
The Garnett-Nabrit Lectures
The Garnett-Nabrit Lectures (GNL) is an annual event held each spring to honor the legacy of the former Dean, Dr. J.H. Garnett and Dr. J.M. Nabrit, fourth President of the college. The lecture series, initiated in 1958, grew out of the annual Ministers and Missionary Conference that began in 1937. American Baptist College hosts this annual event on campus at the World Baptist Center. Religious scholars and preachers are selected to address issues relevant for service and leadership. The lecture series provides 2012 â€" 2013 Student Handbook | 15 a forum for church leaders, as well as students, to listen to, interact with, and be inspired by noted scholars, pastors, and laypersons. The Garnett-Nabrit Lectures is the premier lecture series of the year held at American Baptist College. During the lecture series, alumni return to campus to take part in the rich tradition of academic enrichment. This time of homecoming allows former students to interconnect with current and prospective students providing a lasting heritage for American Baptist College. Attendance is highly recommended for all enrolled students.
Founders Day
Representatives of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and the Southern Baptist Convention founded the American Baptist Theological Seminary, now known as the American Baptist College, on May 6, 1924. The College observes this day annually with a special service commemorating the event. Generally, special Pre-Founders Day activities are sponsored on campus throughout the week and a Founders Day Memorial Service for the community of American Baptist College including the Alumni Association.
Discovery Week
Discovery Week at American Baptist College is a campus wide engagement with the Nashville at large community and beyond and path seekers who desire vocational guidance for relevant spirituality, biblical studies, and theological education.
ABC Day
American Baptist College seeks to develop leaders who aspire to become prophetic in their preaching and teaching ministry. Therefore, ABC Day allows for the college to partner up with churches in various cities to provide opportunities for students to go and preach and represent the college as future leaders and preachers. ABC Day is often held in the Spring semester each academic year.
Student Government Association (SGA)
All students at American Baptist College carrying six hours or more are members of the Student Government Association (SGA). It is the purpose of SGA to promote the welfare of the student body and to maintain high standards of conduct for all students. Each spring the students elect a student council that supervises the student body. The president of the council serves as a liaison between the students and the administration. The SGA sponsors most of the campus-wide social events that are open to all students. These events include parties, game nights, banquets, and annual picnics. SGA Officers includes: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Senior Class Representative, Junior Class Representative, Sophomore Class Representative, and Freshman Class Representative. A student must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 to run for office and once elected must maintain a 2.5 (GPA). Elections are held during the Spring semester of each school year.
Baptist Student Union
The Baptist Student Union (BSU) is a student ran organization that provides a venue for students to grow and fellowship with each other as they participate in the liturgy through: preaching, lecturing, and worship called Vesper. Vesper services are held every Friday at 7 pm. The Baptist Student Union of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc was actually founded on the ABTS campus.
Greek Organizations
Greek-letter organizations encourage high standards of scholarship, promote programs for cultural and social growth, and stress the spirit of Inter-Greek fellowship. They operate under charters granted by the college and their respective national bodies. Students are encouraged to see Student Services for complete list of sanctioned campus charters. Membership is open to male and female students above first-year classification. Students must meet the academic standards prescribed by the college (i.e., a cumulative average of 2.5 or better), as well as academic or other standards set by the several national bodies.
Honors Day
Honors day is held during the spring semester each school year for the purpose of recognizing distinctive achievement on the part of individual students.
Constitution Day
In compliance with the U.S. Education Department, Constitution Day is recognized as a National holiday at American Baptist College. Constitution Day shall be observed each year on September 17 in commemoration of the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution. If September 17 occurs on a non-school day, Constitution Day shall be conducted on the preceding Friday.
Important Annual Events at ABC
The Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series
The Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series was named in honor of the leadership of James Henry Garnett and James Madison Nabrit. Garnett was a teacher of Systematic Theology and New Testament Greek at American Baptist Theological Seminary from 1924 to 1938. He served as the seminary’s dean from 1927 to 1939. During a portion of that time, from 1930 to 1932, he provided leadership as the acting president. James Madison Nabrit was president of American Baptist Theological Seminary from 1936 to 1944. His eight-year tenure advanced the institution and brought forth the development of the National Baptist Training School for Christian Workers.
Garnett and Nabrit are landmarks in the legacy of great leadership provided to American Baptist College. Their example of innovation and integrity are recognized annually through the Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series. Even in the midst of learning situations, there have been moments when that which is learned need to be enhanced, enriched and enlightened. This concept seemingly was in the mind of Dr. J. C. Miles as he, under the leadership of Dr. J. M. Nabrit, the President of American Baptist Theological Seminary, directed the first Missionary Conference in March, 1937.
There was also an Annual Conference on Pastoral Problems held in November, 1937, and was closed with a celebration of Founder’s Day. The conferences were combined at least by 1943 and continued each year until 1957. In 1949 the conception of the Garnett-Nabrit Lectures was realized. At the Annual meeting of the Alumni Association held June 3, 1949, a committee (J. T. Moore, B. E. Callier, J. T. Ridley, W. N. Daniel, Charles Williams and William Donaldson) reported that they had polled the alumni throughout the country and received the majority of votes in favor of a Garnett-Nabrit Lecture.
It was not until 1957 that the birth of the Garnett-Nabrit Lectures was actualized. For in April 30 - May 1, 1957 meeting of the Board of Trustees, the vote was made to change the name of the Annual Ministers and Missionary conference to the Garnett-Nabrit lectures in honor of the former dean Dr. J. H. Garnett and Dr. J. M. Nabrit, fourth President of the Seminary.
The first Lecture Series was held April 30 - May 1, 1958, under the co-directorship of Professor Joseph M. Conley, Director of Seminary Extension, and Dr. Maynard P. Turner, President in 1964. The Alumni Association strengthened the Lecture Series by initiating an Alumni Banquet. Each year an alumnus is chosen by the Alumni Association to deliver the Banquet address.
Notable alumni
- John Lewis, Georgia Congressman
- James Bevel, Civil Rights Leader
- R. E. Cooper, Sr., Baptist Pastor and Civil Rights Leader
- LeRoy Bailey Jr. Clergy Senior Pastor of The First Cathedral
- Leroy Gilbert, Chaplain of the United States Coast Guard
- Forrest E. Harris Sr.,scholar, author,Director of Vanderbilt Divinity School’s Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies and Professor at Vanderbilt Divinity School,Benjamin E. Mays Fellow, recipient of the Florence Conwell prize for preaching and activist.
- Cleavant Derricks Pastor, Choir Director, Songwriter,
- Julius R.Scruggs, Pastor,Scholar,author and President of National Baptist Convention USA Inc.
- C.T. Vivian, Author, Minister, Activist and served in Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign, as the national deputy director for clergy
- Riggins R. Earl Jr., Ethicist,Author,Scholar, Preacher and Professor at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta,GA
- Bernard Lafayette,civil rights activist:leader in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, organizer,named first director of the Peace Education Program at Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minnesota,recognized as one of the leading exponents of nonviolent direct action in the world and Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence at the Candler School of Theology, at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
References
External links
Media related to American Baptist College at Wikimedia Commons
- American Baptist College Website
- Sutton Griggs Website
