Henry - A History of Biola University Since 1908

195 Southern California as the "Music Station," since it concentrates on clas- sical music. Al though I:fiof~-·~--~~~~;;-;hip of a radio station ended with the sale of Station KTBI, in May, 1931, its radio ministry continued in a new direction which eventually led to the "Biola Hour'' famous in Christian circles through- out North America. The next event in Biola's radio ministry came in March, 1931, when Dr. Charles E. Fuller, Chairman of the Biola Board, entered into contract with the Columbia Broadcasting System for a half-hour program of Gospel music and expository preaching. This step of faith was to acquaint the radio pub- lic with Bio)_a and its program. The "Pilgrim's Hour," as the program was called, released over all seven stations of the Columbia Broadcasting Sys- tem - three in California, one in Oregon, and three in Washington - was en- thusiasticcllly _ received by the Christian radio public. In addition to the "Pilgrim:' s Hour," Dr. Fuller also had another radio program, "The Old Fashioned Revival Hour," which began in 1925, when Dr. Fuller, pastor of the Calvary Church of Placentia, began broadcasting his church services over a Santa Ana station. The "Old Fashioned Revival Hour" grew until it was released over many stations throughout the United States. Becoming one of the most famous and most popular religious programs of the time, it was broadcast for many years until the death of Dr. Fuller. Inter- estingly, the famous Los Angeles post-ofice box number 123, the mailing address of the "Old Fashioned Revival Hour," was originally rented to Biola as the mailing address of the "Pilgrim's Hour." The heavy expenses involved , in broadcasting the "Pilgrim's Hour" caused it to be discontinued after a short time. After the Great De- pression during which Biola was unable to maintain a radio ministry, the Board of Directors decided the School ' should try the radio medium again, As a result, a contract was made with Radio Station KFAC, Biola's old

Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter