CHJ\PTER X FROM EGYPT TO CAANAN
The journey cif Biola University from its original home at Third .arid Hain Street in Los Angeles to the La Mirada campus was indeed a long and arduous one, spanning a period of fifty one years. In many ways it is an- alogous to the Biblical account of the journey cif the Children of Israel from Egypt to Caanan. Certainly, Biola had its Red Sea to cross, the bitter waters of Marah, its experience of no water like that of Israel at Rephi- dim, the Kadesh-Barnea walled cities inhabited by the giants, and the wil- derness wanderings. Like Israel through it all, the School was led by the sure hand of God; by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night . The founders of Biola, men of faith and vision, were optimistic about the future prospects of the School; but they hardly expected the im.~ediate success it experienced. They had assumed the rented facilities would be adequate for quite some time. However, they were suddenly confronted with the problem of providing adequate housing for the growing School and making long range plans for Biola's future. Therefore, they must either locate adequate buildings ยท or land on which to build~ Among the many possible sites considered was one in Highland Park, consisting of three good-sized lots and a ten-room house. Disagreeing with some others, the Board of Directors felt this property was inadequate to meet the needs of the School for several reasons, including the need for a centrally located site with access to good public transportation,Dr. Tor- rey's request for an auditorium with a seating capacity of three thousand, and a Metropolitan Church in association with Biola. Finally, after conside: ing several sites, the Board purchased lots at Eighth and Los Angeles Str- eets, in Los Angeles. However, before starting construction there the Board re-evaluated the situation, sold the property, and purchased the four lots
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter