Southwestern Christian College really dates back to the early nineteen hundreds. From the beginning until 1949, when the college acquired property for a permanent home, its history involved relocation in several cities, economic crisis, and name changes Southwestern Christian College owes its existence to the faith of its founders and the sheer stubbornness of a man who would not give in to failure.
In 1911, G P Bowser and others opened a school in Nashville, Tennessee Later, it was moved to Silver Point, Tennessee Because of financial difficulty, the school was moved again to Nashville and after much work and sacrifice it was abandoned. In subsequent years, Mar-shall Keeble started a school from Bowser’s Nashville efort – it became Nashville Christian Institute.
Meanwhile, brother Bowser had moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where, still pursuing his dream of a “liberal arts college ofering Christian education in a Christian atmosphere,” he started a school in 1930. To this school came students who later became prominent ministers, evangelists, and teachers (i e , R N Hogan, J S Winston, and Levi Kennedy to name a few).
Approximately eight years later, the school was moved to Detroit, Michigan, for a short time and then to Fort Worth, Texas, where it became Southern Bible Christian Institute. Brother Bowser remained in Fort Worth until 1950. Because of failing health, he went to Detroit to be near his daughters
As our story continues, in 1949 the Trustees grasped the opportunity to purchase property formerly housing the Texas Military Academy This property is located in Terrell, Texas, approximately thirty miles east of Dallas Foreseeing the great possibilities, the Board deemed this site acceptable and, thus, the beginning of SwCC as we know it today. On the campus stands the first dwelling erected in Terrell. The building was constructed in an octagonal shape. It was believed that this design would give better protection against the Indians. Today this building is one of twenty Round Houses in the entire nation
For over sixty years, SwCC has served the brotherhood. In some respects, it has surpassed the dream of its founder; it has extended itself to men and women of all races Scholars representing many states and six countries constitute the student body.
Southwestern has had four presidents. They are: E. W. McMillan, H. L. Barber, A. V. Isbell, and the incumbent, Jack Evans. Dr Evans, the first black president, is an alumnus of SwCC
Since Dr. Evans assumed this position as head of the college, new vitality and enthusiasm have replaced lethargy; new programs have been developed; the library has been enlarged; old buildings have been renovated; and since 1970, seven new buildings have been added to the campus: Mary Carpenter Hall (women’s dorm), Thelma Holt Dining Hall, G. P. Bowser Gymnasium, Washington-Sams Fine Arts Building, the Timothy Hunt Science Building, the Foster-Howie-Maxwell Administration Building, and the Jack and Patricia Evans Foundational Arts Building. There have also been four cottages constructed for use as additional student housing Southwestern Christian College became fully ac-credited under Dr. Evans guidance in 1973, and has been fully accredited since that time.
Besides tuition fees, Southwestern receives its support from the Living Endowment Association, the Bowser Memorial Scholarship, the Bowser Associated Women for SwCC, private individuals, the SwCC National Alumni Association, and special appeals. Contributions to Southwestern are matched by the Federal Government and corporate donations. In 2016, Southwestern Christian College celebrates 67 years of service to the Terrell community and the church of Christ at large
Born on February 17, 1874, in Maury, Tennessee, George Philip Bowser was a brilliant and courageous preacher, teacher, publisher and school-planter. Bowser’s father was killed when Bowser was young, after which his mother moved the family to Nashville where she was able to find work.
Bowser mastered five languages in addition to English while attending Walden College. It was while he was in Nashville that Bowser was baptized into Christ, thanks to the discipleship of Sam W. Womack and others. Bowser founded – and struggled to maintain – several schools designed to educate black preachers and church workers.
He started a school called Silver Point Christian Institute near Cookville, Tennessee (1907-1914). Other schools that Bowser started included the Bowser Christian Institute in Fort Smith, Arkansas (1938-1946), and, with the help of his proteges (J.S. Winston, R. N. Hogan and Levi Kennedy), the Southern Bible Institute (SBI) in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1948.
SBI had 45 students the first year, and the following year, the school was relocated to Terrell, Texas. That school became Southwestern Christian College, a Church of Christ college that continues to this day, and that is now, under the leadership of its new president, Dr. Ervin Seamster!
All institutions have ways of honoring men who have made
This day is known as
our annual lectureship. On this day, a program is presented honoring a person who is keenly sensitive to the urgency of the need for Christian education.
When I grow too old to dream, Southwestern I will remember.
The joyful thoughts of friends supreme Will linger here in my heart.
Though friends fade from view,
To you I’ll be true; And through the years that come and go
I’ll sing of you in my heart.
Though friends fade from view,
To you I’ll be true; And through the years that come and go
I’ll sing of you in my heart.
The Russell Road Church of Christ honors the
Ministers
John H. Dansby Sr.
Vencent Gordon
Deacons
Clint Chitman
Jeff Kidd
George Price
William Snow
Kevin Wilson
86th Annual 86th Annual
Southwestern Southwestern
Christian College Christian College Lectureship Lectureship and applauds President and CEO Dr. Ervin D. Seamster Jr. on his dedication to the cause of Christian education.
John Sr. & Doris Dansby
John Sr. & Doris Dansby Vencent & Karen Gordon & Karen Gordon
“Scripturally Serving & Spiritually Sowing for Today & Tomorrow”
3510 North Hampton Road Dallas, Texas 75212
Phone:(214)631‐5448 Fax:(214)631‐7729 Website: www.dwcoc.org
E-mail: dallaswestchurchofchrist@aol.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dallas.west.963
MINISTER
Sammie L. Berry
FOR WE PREACH NOT OURSELVES, BUT CHRIST JESUS THE LORD 2COR. 4:5
ASSISTANT MINISTERS
Emery A. Tease Carl Mobley
Calendar of Services & Activities
Sunday AM/PM Worship In-Person/Facebook 9:30AM & 5:00PM
Sunday Morning Bible Class In-Person/Facebook 11:00AM
Wednesday Bible Classes Virtual-Zoom & Facebook ......7:00PM
Elders
Sammie L. Berry Gary L. McMillian Emery Tease
Deacons
David Bryant Adrian Williams
