Piedmont Baptist College
Encyclopedia
Piedmont Baptist College and Graduate School is a private Bible College and Graduate School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
. Originally called Piedmont Bible Institute (and later Piedmont Bible College), the school changed its name in 2006 to its current name to reflect its heritage and expansion. The school is located near downtown Winston-Salem between the historic district of Old Salem
and the newly constructed semi-pro baseball stadium. Its current President is Dr. Charles Petitt, a former church planter and missionary
to St. Vincent
.
Piedmont is accredited
by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
and maintains membership in the American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries
.
leaders from across North Carolina at the Evangel Light House in Winston-Salem to discuss the possibility of starting a Baptist educational institution. The following is told of the meeting: “After some discussion one of the brethren, a prominent Baptist leader in North Carolina, rose and made this remark, ‘We already have seven Baptist schools in North Carolina. It is my opinion that we do not need another school.’ To this Dr. Stevens replied, “I agree that we do not need just another Baptist school. We need a school that can be distinctive, committed to perform a definite task.’”
That is exactly what happened. In 1945, Piedmont Bible Schools, Inc. was founded. In September of that year, Piedmont Bible Institute opened on a restricted basis. All of the classes were taught “on Monday afternoon and evening and all day Tuesday. Twenty-two students attended that first year, with four part-time faculty members. The next fall, the fall of 1946, found the school “in full swing,” with six faculty members, of which only N.A. Thompson was full-time.
In its charter, the institution has the capacity to serve as three schools - an academy, Bible institute, and Bible college
. From 1945 until 1948 Piedmont Bible Schools consisted of only an academy and a Bible Institute. Also, during this time, satellite classrooms were set. In 1948, two years of junior college
were added. From then until 1952 the corporation consisted of the academy, the Bible institute, and the junior college. The academy was discontinued in 1952. The Bible institute and the college continue today, although in slightly different forms. Six years after the closing of the academy it was said, “If and when the demand becomes great enough, the academy will be included again.” However, with the existence of Salem Baptist Christian School (a Christian primary and secondary school across the street) it is doubtful that this will ever be done.
After its incorporation, Piedmont Bible Schools found a host of problems waiting for it. What is to be done about classrooms? What is to be done about housing? A myriad of questions must have been in the minds of those early men and women of Piedmont. The first answer to many questions and prayers came in the form of what is today called Deeds Hall. John M. Deeds, for which the building was named, is described as “a fine Christian and business man, with unusual abilities and leadership, . . . [who has] felt called upon to devote his full time, without salary, to the cause of raising money for the school” (Daybreak, Oct. 1951) This new facility provided initial classroom space, dormitory space for around twenty-five ladies, room for a small cafeteria, a library and offices. The Brietz house was purchased in 1948 and provided dormitory room for 12 or more single men. Trailers also played a major role as “dorm rooms” for the married couples in the early years. Many of the trailer units were old, surplus military trailers. The trailers were known, because of the great percentage of World War II
veterans, as “Veterans’ Village." In 1954 the married students were able to move out of the trailers and into the new Stevens Hall. Built beside Deeds Hall, this - and especially the construction of Griffith Hall, a men’s dormitory, in 1966 - brought an end to the trailer era and made room available for a much-needed parking lot. After Griffith Hall was built, the old Breitz home was torn down.
Griffith Hall was named for Earle G. Griffith. Dr. Griffith became affiliated with Piedmont on January 15, 1950 when he took the office of vice-president. He was formerly the president of the Ohio Association of Independent Baptist
Churches. For a time, he was also part of the Council of Fourteen which carried out the plans of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches
. He served as president of Baptist Bible Seminary in Johnson City, New York, as well as vice-president of the National Bible Institute of New York City. He was also very active in the area of foreign missions in addition to holding several pastorates.
In 1956, Piedmont completed the accreditation
requirements of the Accrediting Association of Bible Institutes and Bible Colleges (now The Association for Biblical Higher Education
). Their acceptance allowed Religious Education
and Theology
bachelor's degrees to be awarded, starting in 1957, with the acceptance of the State Department of Education.
awarded Charles Stevens an honorary Doctor of Divinity
degree in recognition of his work “as a Bible preacher and teacher, as well as [for] his contributions as an educator through the establishment of Piedmont Bible College.” In the summer of 1962, Dr. Stevens stepped down from the Presidency and was replaced by Carlyle Sanford. After Sanford's brief presidency, Dr. Stevens returned as president in the spring of 1963, while remaining a full-time pastor. Dr. Stevens remained pastor of Salem Baptist Church and President of Piedmont Bible College for approximately twenty-five years, with the only exception being the interval of seven or eight months while Carlyle Sanford was president. After about seven years, Dr. Stevens officially resigned on January 27, 1970, but the resignation did not actually become effective until August 1, 1970. Between the conception of the school and his retirement, Dr. Stevens witnessed much. The school had reached the “200 mark” in the mid-sixties. It had literally been built before his eyes in about twenty-five years. Dr. Stevens resigned as pastor of Salem Baptist on January 9, 1972. Dr. Charles Stevens died, at age 91, on July 16, 1982.
Donald Drake, a godly man with a passion for missions, took his place. Drake completed undergraduate work at King's College in New York, later graduating with a doctorate from Wheaton College
in Illinois. Dr. Drake helped hone the school’s curriculum, including a special emphasis on missions.
Between 1973 and 1974, Dr. Drake saw the completion of Lee Hall, a dormitory for young ladies, and a second building housing a gymnasium and chapel. Grace Hall, the former residence of the Stevens, was acquired by the college in the late eighties. Dr. Drake retired in 1987. He was replaced by Dr. Howard Wilburn.
through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
(TRACS) was achieved in 1995. Dr. Wilburn laid the groundwork for two international branch campuses and also oversaw a name change for the school. The new name, Piedmont Baptist College, was a reflection of Piedmont's heritage and disctinctives. In 2002, Dr. Wilburn stepped down as President to concentrate on his ministry as pastor of Salem Baptist Church and currently holds the title of Chancellor.
Institutional accomplishments from 2000-2010 include the renovation of most buildings on campus, the doubling of overall enrollment, and the development of several networks and partnerships. An articulation agreement with High Point University allows teacher education majors to complete requirements for North Carolina State Teacher Licensure. A 2004 merger with Spurgeon Baptist Bible College of Mulberry, Florida resulted in the creation of Piedmont’s Spurgeon School of Online Education with several undergraduate and graduate programs available online in their entirety including a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies offered online in Spanish. The accreditation of two international branch campuses in restricted access nations sprang from partnerships with nationals in Asia and the Middle East. A 2008 merger with Atlantic Baptist Bible College of Chester, Virginia led to the establishment of the Atlantic Scholarship for Ministry Training.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. Originally called Piedmont Bible Institute (and later Piedmont Bible College), the school changed its name in 2006 to its current name to reflect its heritage and expansion. The school is located near downtown Winston-Salem between the historic district of Old Salem
Old Salem
Old Salem is a historic district of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It features a living history museum that interprets the restored Moravian community. The non-profit organization began its work in 1950, although some private residents had restored buildings earlier...
and the newly constructed semi-pro baseball stadium. Its current President is Dr. Charles Petitt, a former church planter and missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to St. Vincent
Saint Vincent (island)
Saint Vincent is a volcanic island in the Caribbean. It is the largest island of the chain called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, between Saint Lucia and Grenada. It is composed of partially submerged volcanic mountains...
.
Piedmont is accredited
Educational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools is a U.S. national educational accreditation agency for Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries...
and maintains membership in the American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries
American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries
The American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries, Inc. is an organization of Bible colleges and Christian universities and seminaries in the continental United States and Puerto Rico...
.
Early years
In early 1945, Charles Stevens gathered a group of BaptistBaptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
leaders from across North Carolina at the Evangel Light House in Winston-Salem to discuss the possibility of starting a Baptist educational institution. The following is told of the meeting: “After some discussion one of the brethren, a prominent Baptist leader in North Carolina, rose and made this remark, ‘We already have seven Baptist schools in North Carolina. It is my opinion that we do not need another school.’ To this Dr. Stevens replied, “I agree that we do not need just another Baptist school. We need a school that can be distinctive, committed to perform a definite task.’”
That is exactly what happened. In 1945, Piedmont Bible Schools, Inc. was founded. In September of that year, Piedmont Bible Institute opened on a restricted basis. All of the classes were taught “on Monday afternoon and evening and all day Tuesday. Twenty-two students attended that first year, with four part-time faculty members. The next fall, the fall of 1946, found the school “in full swing,” with six faculty members, of which only N.A. Thompson was full-time.
In its charter, the institution has the capacity to serve as three schools - an academy, Bible institute, and Bible college
Bible college
Bible colleges are institutions of higher education that specialize in biblical studies. Curriculum is Bible-based and differs from that of liberal arts colleges or research universities. Bible colleges generally exclude the study of philosophy, unlike seminaries and theological colleges...
. From 1945 until 1948 Piedmont Bible Schools consisted of only an academy and a Bible Institute. Also, during this time, satellite classrooms were set. In 1948, two years of junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
were added. From then until 1952 the corporation consisted of the academy, the Bible institute, and the junior college. The academy was discontinued in 1952. The Bible institute and the college continue today, although in slightly different forms. Six years after the closing of the academy it was said, “If and when the demand becomes great enough, the academy will be included again.” However, with the existence of Salem Baptist Christian School (a Christian primary and secondary school across the street) it is doubtful that this will ever be done.
After its incorporation, Piedmont Bible Schools found a host of problems waiting for it. What is to be done about classrooms? What is to be done about housing? A myriad of questions must have been in the minds of those early men and women of Piedmont. The first answer to many questions and prayers came in the form of what is today called Deeds Hall. John M. Deeds, for which the building was named, is described as “a fine Christian and business man, with unusual abilities and leadership, . . . [who has] felt called upon to devote his full time, without salary, to the cause of raising money for the school” (Daybreak, Oct. 1951) This new facility provided initial classroom space, dormitory space for around twenty-five ladies, room for a small cafeteria, a library and offices. The Brietz house was purchased in 1948 and provided dormitory room for 12 or more single men. Trailers also played a major role as “dorm rooms” for the married couples in the early years. Many of the trailer units were old, surplus military trailers. The trailers were known, because of the great percentage of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veterans, as “Veterans’ Village." In 1954 the married students were able to move out of the trailers and into the new Stevens Hall. Built beside Deeds Hall, this - and especially the construction of Griffith Hall, a men’s dormitory, in 1966 - brought an end to the trailer era and made room available for a much-needed parking lot. After Griffith Hall was built, the old Breitz home was torn down.
Griffith Hall was named for Earle G. Griffith. Dr. Griffith became affiliated with Piedmont on January 15, 1950 when he took the office of vice-president. He was formerly the president of the Ohio Association of Independent Baptist
Independent Baptist
Independent Baptist churches are Christian churches generally holding to conservative Baptist beliefs. They are characterized by being independent from the authority of denominations or similar bodies. Members of such churches comprised three percent of the United States adult population according...
Churches. For a time, he was also part of the Council of Fourteen which carried out the plans of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches
General Association of Regular Baptist Churches
The General Association of Regular Baptist Churches is one of several Baptist groups in North America retaining the name "Regular Baptist"....
. He served as president of Baptist Bible Seminary in Johnson City, New York, as well as vice-president of the National Bible Institute of New York City. He was also very active in the area of foreign missions in addition to holding several pastorates.
In 1956, Piedmont completed the accreditation
Accreditation
Accreditation is a process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is presented.Organizations that issue credentials or certify third parties against official standards are themselves formally accredited by accreditation bodies ; hence they are sometimes known as "accredited...
requirements of the Accrediting Association of Bible Institutes and Bible Colleges (now The Association for Biblical Higher Education
The Association for Biblical Higher Education
The Association for Biblical Higher Education or ABHE is a nationally recognized accrediting agency in the United States. It is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
). Their acceptance allowed Religious Education
Religious Education
Religious Education is the term given to education concerned with religion. It may refer to education provided by a church or religious organization, for instruction in doctrine and faith, or for education in various aspects of religion, but without explicitly religious or moral aims, e.g. in a...
and Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
bachelor's degrees to be awarded, starting in 1957, with the acceptance of the State Department of Education.
1950s to 1980s
In 1958, Bob Jones UniversityBob Jones University
Bob Jones University is a private, for-profit, non-denominational Protestant university in Greenville, South Carolina.The university was founded in 1927 by Bob Jones, Sr. , an evangelist and contemporary of Billy Sunday...
awarded Charles Stevens an honorary Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
degree in recognition of his work “as a Bible preacher and teacher, as well as [for] his contributions as an educator through the establishment of Piedmont Bible College.” In the summer of 1962, Dr. Stevens stepped down from the Presidency and was replaced by Carlyle Sanford. After Sanford's brief presidency, Dr. Stevens returned as president in the spring of 1963, while remaining a full-time pastor. Dr. Stevens remained pastor of Salem Baptist Church and President of Piedmont Bible College for approximately twenty-five years, with the only exception being the interval of seven or eight months while Carlyle Sanford was president. After about seven years, Dr. Stevens officially resigned on January 27, 1970, but the resignation did not actually become effective until August 1, 1970. Between the conception of the school and his retirement, Dr. Stevens witnessed much. The school had reached the “200 mark” in the mid-sixties. It had literally been built before his eyes in about twenty-five years. Dr. Stevens resigned as pastor of Salem Baptist on January 9, 1972. Dr. Charles Stevens died, at age 91, on July 16, 1982.
Donald Drake, a godly man with a passion for missions, took his place. Drake completed undergraduate work at King's College in New York, later graduating with a doctorate from Wheaton College
Wheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
in Illinois. Dr. Drake helped hone the school’s curriculum, including a special emphasis on missions.
Between 1973 and 1974, Dr. Drake saw the completion of Lee Hall, a dormitory for young ladies, and a second building housing a gymnasium and chapel. Grace Hall, the former residence of the Stevens, was acquired by the college in the late eighties. Dr. Drake retired in 1987. He was replaced by Dr. Howard Wilburn.
1990's
Dr. Wilburn, as those before him, set definite goals and strove to reach them. One goal realized in 1994 was the founding of a graduate program. AccreditationEducational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools is a U.S. national educational accreditation agency for Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries...
(TRACS) was achieved in 1995. Dr. Wilburn laid the groundwork for two international branch campuses and also oversaw a name change for the school. The new name, Piedmont Baptist College, was a reflection of Piedmont's heritage and disctinctives. In 2002, Dr. Wilburn stepped down as President to concentrate on his ministry as pastor of Salem Baptist Church and currently holds the title of Chancellor.
2000 to present
Charles Petitt became Piedmont’s fifth president in 2002.Institutional accomplishments from 2000-2010 include the renovation of most buildings on campus, the doubling of overall enrollment, and the development of several networks and partnerships. An articulation agreement with High Point University allows teacher education majors to complete requirements for North Carolina State Teacher Licensure. A 2004 merger with Spurgeon Baptist Bible College of Mulberry, Florida resulted in the creation of Piedmont’s Spurgeon School of Online Education with several undergraduate and graduate programs available online in their entirety including a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies offered online in Spanish. The accreditation of two international branch campuses in restricted access nations sprang from partnerships with nationals in Asia and the Middle East. A 2008 merger with Atlantic Baptist Bible College of Chester, Virginia led to the establishment of the Atlantic Scholarship for Ministry Training.