GENERAL INFORMATION § HISTUHICAL SKETCH
Iu 1906 "The Fisherman's Club," which combined Bible study and soul winning, was organized for the young men of the Immanuel Pres byterian Church by . Rev. T. C. Horton, assistant pastor. The following year, Mr. D. H. Steele, an elder of the same church and manager of a dep,frtinent store, requested Mrs. Horton to open a Bible class for the young women employed in his store, offering a iarge room for the purpose. The · group was named ' 'The Lyceum Club" and grew to indude other youngwotnen besides the employees of the one store. These two groups of young people presented the challenge of further study and training. The Bible Institute idea was not entirely new; as early as 1901 Mr. Lyman Stewart, a Christian layman with a zeal for the Lord's service and an almost prophetic eye to the future, had planned for such a school in Los Angeles. Now, in response to an immediate need, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Horton became co-founders of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. In the fall of 1907, through the cooperation of Rev. A. B. Pritchard, pastor of Central Presby terian Church, some classes, which were the fore runner of the Bible Institute, were held in the lecture room of that church. On February 25, 1908, a meeting was called to effect a permanent organization. At this meeting the following persons were elected as officers: Lyman Stewart,: )?resident; A. B. Pritchard, Vice-President; T. C. Horton, Superintendent; R. A. Hadden, Associate Superintendent; B. C. Atterbury~ Secretary; and Leon V. Shaw, Treasurer. Messrs . Horton, Had<len, and Pritchard formed the faculty. There was rapid development of the school. From the beginning its outreach was evangelistic. Shop meetings were taken over and conducted. Bible Women's work was organized, a work among Jews was commenced. as was also · Spanish Mission work and work among the men of the oil fields. Extension classes were organized in the city and in surrounding towns;•' · Within three years the· school had well outgrown the experimental stage, and a forward educational step was taken with .the calling of Dr.. Reuben A. Torrey to be Dean. On january 1,. 1912, . Dr. Torrey began his twelve-year period of service in this office. In · order, to meet: the enlarging rieeds 'and to provide a suitable and permanent home for the school, a new site was purchased. at Sixth and Hope Streets and a new building erected, ground for which was broken on ·- .frme 22, 1912. This ·building, dedicated the following year, reflected the builders' hopes and faith for future growth. . •. Leg(llly known as The Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Incorporated, this institution academ1.cally has taken four distinct forward steps in the field of Christian education. In 1936 the institutr appiied for and received State authorization for the conferring ·· of certain degrees. Three four-year courses were then. 10
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