About Calvary

When We Became Calvary

Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary is the successful result of a merger in 1961 between two small and struggling Bible colleges: Kansas City Bible College (KCBC) and Midwest Bible College (MBC) in St. Louis. A second merger took place in 1987 when Citadel Bible College of Ozark, Arkansas, joined Calvary. These mergers represented a blending of institutional objectives, assets and liabilities, alumni associations, and doctrinal goals as well as values that were held in common by all of the institutions.

Where It All Started

In the early 1930s, Christian work throughout the Midwest needed experienced, well-trained pastors and teachers. The economic depression had the country in its grip, many churches were without pastors, and there was no evangelical school in this area of the heartland. Several Christian leaders had been praying for a decade about the need for such a school, and the God-selected leaders for the original venture included Dr. Walter L. Wilson, medical doctor, theologian, and author; Rev. David Bulkley, Superintendent of the City Union Mission; and Rev. R. Fuller Jaudon, pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Kansas City Bible Institute first opened its doors in 1932, and in 1935, it became Kansas City Bible College. Dr. Wilson, followed by Dr. F. William May, served as its first two presidents.

In 1938, Dr. May left Kansas City Bible College to assist with the founding of Midwest Bible and Missionary Institute in Salina, Kansas. Also assisting was Rev. Nye J. Langmade, who served as its first President until 1954. Dr. May served as President from 1954 until 1956, when Dr. Roger Andrus was appointed President. In 1946, Midwest moved to St. Louis, Missouri. It became Midwest Bible College in 1959.

Exploring the Possibilities

In the early 1960s, Dr. Al Metsker, acting President of KCBC, met with Dr. Roger Andrus, President of MBC, to explore the possibility of merging the two small colleges into one stronger institution. In the summer of 1961 the blueprint was complete; the two schools merged, moved to a campus in the Kansas City suburban community of Prairie Village, Kansas, and became Calvary Bible College. The Board of Trustees of the newly formed school named Dr. Roger Andrus as its first President.

In addition to the individuals named above who were instrumental in the early years, Calvary and its predecessor schools were blessed with a number of others who had a desire to see Bible institutes begun in the Midwest. Taking an active part in these beginnings were Mr. Dwight Johnson, Dr. Charles R. Rolls, Dr. Robert Belton, Dr. Clifford Lewis, and Mr. Stanley Cook, to name a few.

In 1966 Calvary moved to 1111 W. 39th St. in Kansas City, where it remained until the move in 1980 to the current campus at Richards-Gebaur.

Dr. Andrus served as President of Calvary until the early 1970s, and in 1974, Dr. Leslie Madison was called as President.

Citadel Bible College, originally named the Ozark Bible Institute, began in the heart of Rev. A. H. Levin. Under his leadership, the school was organized by a group of pastors and businessmen and incorporated in the state of Arkansas in 1947, with classes beginning in 1949. Rev. Levin served as Citadel's first President until his death in 1970, at which time his son, Rev. Robert Levin, was appointed Interim President. Dr. Paul Brownback served as President from 1976 until the merger with Calvary in 1987.

In 1991 Dr. Madison was appointed Chancellor, and Dr. Donald Urey, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Calvary, was named President. Dr. Jim Anderson, an alumnus and former faculty member at Calvary, was called as President in 1996. After Dr. Anderson's return to full-time evangelistic work in 1999, the Board of Trustees named Dr. Elwood H. Chipchase as President. When Dr. Chipchase retired in 2009, the Board appointed Dr. James L. Clark, Vice President and Academic Dean, as President.

The Legacy Continues

Calvary continues to build upon its godly heritage, and today, there are hundreds of alumni faithfully serving the Lord the world over. Calvary also continually strives to improve the quality of education given to students. We are both nationally and regionally accredited. Calvary has been regionally accredited since 2003.