A Rich History
Brookes Bible College boasts a rich history of men & women trained and devoted to Bible teaching.
A Legacy
BROOKES BIBLE COLLEGE is celebrating 110 years and boasts a rich history of men and women trained and devoted to Bible teaching. We are so grateful to the dedicated individuals who have helped shape our school into what it is today. We thank God for blessing our college and the many people who have attended it.
The birth of Brookes Bible College begins with the legacy of James Hall Brookes (1830-1897). A descendant of Presbyterian pastors on both sides of his family, Dr. Brookes became an influential theologian, author of many books, editor of The Truth, or Testimony for Christ periodical, and pastor of a congregation which became Washington and Compton Presbyterian Church. His work established the seedbed that inspired the desire for an institution of formal study of the Bible.
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Humble Beginnings
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On September 24, 1909, a group of Christian businessmen met at the home of Mr. John F. Green to organize a nondenominational school devoted to teaching the Bible and providing competent spiritual leadership for Christian laymen in organizations and churches. Mr. George T. Coxhead was elected President; Mr. Robert Rutledge, secretary; and Mr. Benjamin F. Edwards, treasurer.
One month later on October 23, the Articles of Incorporation of The St. Louis Bible Training School for Lay Workers – as the school became known – were recorded in the state of Missouri. Three years would pass before the school would hold its first class. On October 1, 1912, the first two classes were held in the Washington and Compton Avenue Presbyterian Church. Dr. Joseph Henry Gauss, who had been the pastor of Carondelet Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, was the school’s first superintendent. Gauss served the school for a total of thirty-nine years, first as superintendent and later as dean. |
Honoring Dispensational Teaching
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After a few years, the school's name "The St. Louis Bible Training School for Lay Workers" appeared too lengthy and vague. Those in leadership decided that naming the school after James Hall Brookes would clearly identify the college’s ties to dispensational teachings. Dr. Brookes was founder and pastor of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church in St. Louis (later known as Washington and Compton Avenue Presbyterian Church and presently Memorial Presbyterian Church). Dr. Brookes was well known throughout the city, state, and nation as an avid proponent of dispensationalism, a system of theology that emphasizes the role of progressive revelation, the historical grammatical method of interpretation, and the distinction between Israel and the Church in salvation history. In addition to teaching from the pulpit, he was a writer/editor for numerous periodicals including The Truth, or Testimony for Christ, and authored many books as well. In 1916, the St. Louis Bible Training School for Lay Workers became the Brookes Bible Institute of St. Louis.
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Washington & Compton Presbyterian Church.
Photo credit: Chris Naffziger.
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That same year, 1916, God laid it on the heart of the neighbor of a student to give six thousand dollars toward the purchase of a building at 2051 Park Avenue. In 1949, the Board of Trustees secured new facilities in residential buildings at 3465-67 South Grand Boulevard.
Dr. Robert Rill was named as the institute’s first President in 1985. Dr. Rill tirelessly dedicated forty-three years to Brookes Bible Institute—twenty-one as a teacher and twenty-two more as the President. During his years as President, the school was transitioned to a two-year Bible institute and was given a religious exemption by the State of Missouri to award an Associate Degree in Biblical and Ministerial Studies.
Dr. Robert Rill was named as the institute’s first President in 1985. Dr. Rill tirelessly dedicated forty-three years to Brookes Bible Institute—twenty-one as a teacher and twenty-two more as the President. During his years as President, the school was transitioned to a two-year Bible institute and was given a religious exemption by the State of Missouri to award an Associate Degree in Biblical and Ministerial Studies.
New Facilities, Acreditation Status
In 2014, under the leadership of Dr. Christopher Stocklin, the school, now known as Brookes Bible College, moved to a modern and more spacious location at 10257 St. Charles Rock Road in St. Louis County. The new facility aligned with the college's renewed emphasis on academic excellence in equipping men and women for the work of ministry.
Today, under the leadership of President Robert D. Thurman, Brookes Bible College is transitioning to an accredited twenty-first century Bible college, now offering an Associate of Biblical & Ministerial Studies degree, Associate of Biblical Counseling & Practical Theology degree and a Bachelor of Theology degree. For over 100 years, Brookes Bible College has remained dedicated to teaching essential Christian doctrine, and has not wavered from its commitment to develop Christlike leaders who are well-equipped to serve the Church and impact the world.
Today, under the leadership of President Robert D. Thurman, Brookes Bible College is transitioning to an accredited twenty-first century Bible college, now offering an Associate of Biblical & Ministerial Studies degree, Associate of Biblical Counseling & Practical Theology degree and a Bachelor of Theology degree. For over 100 years, Brookes Bible College has remained dedicated to teaching essential Christian doctrine, and has not wavered from its commitment to develop Christlike leaders who are well-equipped to serve the Church and impact the world.
