Union Bible College and Academy
Union Bible College and Academy is a private, Christian educational institution combining a KG-12 academy and college in Westfield, Indiana. It was founded in 1861 by the Religious Society of Friends, receiving patronage from the Central [Yearly Meeting of Friends|Central Yearly Meeting] and being aligned with the conservative holiness movement. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
History
In 1860, members of the Religious Society of Friends, concerned about the spiritual and academic upbringing of their children in light of the American Civil War, constructed a two-story brick building that came to be known as Union High School. It went into operation on January 7, 1861.At the turn of the twentieth century, amid waning enrollment due to the advent of public schools in the area, a Quaker minister named William M. Smith was approached by the school committee to expand the operations of the campus. They wanted to incorporate training programs for aspiring ministers and missionaries. Smith accepted the offer and founded Union Bible Seminary in May 1911.
In 1980, both the seminary and academy assumed an interdenominational status. In June 1989, the seminary was renamed as Union Bible College & Academy.