Cairn University

History

Philadelphia Biblical University is the result of the merger of two Bible schools: the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia School of the Bible.

On July 8, 1913, W. W. Rugh founded the National Bible Institute of Philadelphia. After teaching public school in his earlier days, Rugh spent several years walking a circuit to teach Bible classes throughout eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This led him to establish an institution where the Scriptures could be taught at one location on a daily basis. Originally an extension of the National Bible Institute of New York, the Philadelphia branch became independent of the New York school on October 8, 1921, and changed its name to Bible Institute of Pennsylvania.

Over a year later, Dr. C. I. Scofield and Dr. William L. Pettingill co-founded Philadelphia School of the Bible on October 1, 1914. Both men were leading Bible teachers of their day. Dr. Scofield was known internationally for his Bible teaching and his work on the Scofield Reference Bible. Dr. Scofield became the first president and Dr. Pettingill, the first dean, of the newly founded school.

Although the two Philadelphia schools had similar goals, they remained separate for nearly 37 years. Finally, in 1951, the schools merged to become Philadelphia Bible Institute. Operating at a new campus at 1800 Arch Street, the school offered a three-year Bible diploma. At the time of the merger, Dr. William A. Mierop was appointed president and Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr., academic dean. Dr. Mierop served as president until 1956.

In 1958, under the leadership of the new president, Dr. Charles C. Ryrie, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted the Institute approval to offer a four-year program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Bible degree. The Institute then changed its name to Philadelphia College of Bible.

Dr. Douglas B. MacCorkle succeeded Dr. Ryrie as president in 1963. During his tenure, the College attained accreditation from the Middle States Association and added two new bachelor degrees, the bachelor of music and the bachelor of social work.

The appointment of Dr. W. Sherrill Babb as president in 1979 coincided with the move from Center City Philadelphia to a new campus in Langhorne Manor. Under his leadership the College continued to expand its ministry. In 2000, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted approval to become a university and the institutional name was changed to Philadelphia Biblical University. Degrees offered increased from three to eleven; six graduate programs were implemented; and four extension campuses were established.

In January 2008, Dr. Babb became the University chancellor, and Dr. Todd J. Williams was appointed the new president.

This history is evidence of the stability of Philadelphia Biblical University as an institution of higher learning. Increasingly, the University is recognized as a model for biblical higher education.

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