Happy Birthday, HSU!

On February 18, 1891, the Board of Trustees of Abilene Baptist College (now Hardin-Simmons University) voted on and agreed to the school’s charter. This day, February 18, 1891, is the day we recognize as the official start of our school with.

Classes did not begin until the following year in September 1892, but that doesn’t mean people weren’t hard at work up until that point. In the time between the school was incorporated and classes began, money was raised, land was acquired, a building was built, faculty were hired, and students recruited. It was a busy time.

February 18, 1891 may be our birthday, but let’s look at the years that surround the day to better appreciate the work that went into our school.

Abilene in the 1880s

1888-1890

In 1888, Judge Henry Sayles suggested to George W. Smith, Pastor of Abilene First Baptist Church, the idea to form a Christian high school/college.

A Christian Education Committee was formed to survey this idea and form a plan. Two years later the committee was ready to propose their plan to the Sweetwater Baptist Association.

August 1890

On August 1, 1890, The Sweetwater Baptist Association met for the weekend, and the Christian Education Committee (composed of George W. Smith, K.K. Legett, and J.S. Williams) made their proposal.

You may wonder, why did the committee from Abilene take their proposal to the Sweetwater Baptist Association? Just like today, any new endeavor needs a network of people to help build awareness and financial support. At the time, the Sweetwater Baptist Association was the ideal source of support because:

• The association was a growing community of Baptist churches from Taylor County to El Paso.
• This conglomerate of churches would provide financial assistance, students, and marketing across the state. What better way to spread the word of a new school than from the pulpit or from church memos?
• Abilene First Baptist Church, where the committee members came from, was a member of the Sweetwater Baptist Association.

Most of the men present at the meeting were in favor of the project, however, it is noted Rufus C. Burleson was persuasively against it. Burleson, former president of Baylor College, was against the idea of a competing school (competing for students and resources). Baylor College was in debt, and Burleson took offense that the people and church communities who were suggesting a new school had not done their duty of providing financial support to an already existing Baptist school.

Burleson did not sway the decision, and the Sweetwater Baptist Association appointed a committee to establish the school, consisting of: K.K. Legett, G.W. Smith, J.M. Hanna, J.T. Fergeson, H.C. Hord, C.R. Breedlove, and G.W. Smith.

October 1890

The committee met in October 1890 where they:

• Chose Abilene as the location for the new school.
• Drafted a charter.
• Appointed a Board of Trustees and term limits.
• Launched a fundraising campaign to begin the construction of a new school building.

During this meeting, Otto W. Steffens and Associates provided a bid of 5 acres and $10,000 to the new school. The committee had until November 24, 1890 to accept or reject the bid and raise an additional $5,000.

The committee raised the $5,000, however, Steffens and Associates’ pulled their bid prematurely, for unknown reasons, putting the committee in a lurch. As a result, new land and a new money source had to be secured for the school.

Late 1890

The Board needed help. Just days prior, they thought they had $15,000 and a plot of land; suddenly all they had was the $5,000 they had raised and no land.

Due to his successful track record with fundraising, O.C. Pope was asked to get involved. He wrote to his friend, James Simmons, and introduced Simmons to Abilene.

Early 1891

Correspondence began between James Simmons and the school’s Board in 1891. Simmons expressed his interest in the school and teased a financial contribution. Due to his time with the American Baptist Home Mission, Simmons had experience in this early phase of school-building. He shared his expertise with the Board and helped them navigate the pitfalls of other schools Simmons had worked with.

February 18, 1891

The Abilene Baptist College Board voted on and adopted the school’s charter. Abilene Baptist College was officially incorporated.

March 1891

In a letter dated March 12, 1891, Simmons wrote to the Board and agreed to give $5,000 to the school, under the condition the Board agrees to and signs a “bond.”

That bond, which Simmons drafted later, was the Foundation Agreement. Today, the Foundation Agreement is the backbone of Hardin-Simmons’ mission statement.

In a letter dated March 13, 1891, George Smith confirmed the Simmons donation and agreed to discuss a “bond.”

The town and Sweetwater Baptist Association successfully raised almost $10,000. Now with Simmons’ donation of $5,000, the Board could move forward with its plans.

Somewhere between March 13 and April 11, 1891, Simmons sent his Foundation Agreement to the Board. The Board quickly agreed to it.

April 1891

The deed to the property was officially secured on April 11, 1891. Theo Vogel, E.T. Ambler, and Geo. Phillips provided lots in North Park in exchange for $1.

With land and money secured, construction on the school’s first building could finally begin.

May 1891

Drawing of Old Main

Construction began on Old Main. Old Main was the school’s first building and cost $12,000. It provided housing for the president and his family, board for female students, classrooms, chapel, library, and anything else a school would need.

July 1891

On July 29, 1891, The Foundation Agreement, written by Simmons, was officially added to the school’s charter.

November 1891

The official paperwork was processed in November to change the school’s name from Abilene Baptist College to Simmons College.

September 1892

The first catalog of the school, September 1892

The first day of classes took place on September 13, 1892. 

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The physical campus of Hardin-Simmons University may look different than when James Simmons was alive, but the foundation of the campus remains the same. An institution of Christian education where teaching and evangelism take place in more than just the classroom; where faculty and staff invite students into their homes and churches; where graduate programs boast exceptional certification and employment rates while prioritizing mission trips locally and abroad; where weekly chapel and abundant service opportunities are offered to all students.

Over these 131 years, there have been countless ways HSU continues to reach individuals and communities, domestically and globally, with its programs, alumni network, and prayer.

Happy 131st Birthday, Hardin-Simmons University!! You get better looking each year.