History

In the beginning...

Valley Forge Christian College began in 1939 when several small bible institutes consolidated to form Eastern Bible Institute (EBI) in Green Lane, PA. The oldest of those small schools was Beulah Heights of North Bergen, NJ, which began in 1912. The consolidation also included Metropolitan Bible Institute of Suffern, NY; New England Bible Institute of Framingham, MA; and Pine Crest Bible Institute of Salisbury Center, NY.

The Eastern Bible Institute charter was granted to train pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Christian educators and lay workers.

The ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s

Eastern Bible Institute was led by three presidents: Rev. Allan A. Swift (1938 to 1949); Rev. Milton T. Wells (1949 to 1960); and Rev. Robert L. Moore (1960 to 1963).

In March 1967, during the administration of Rev. Paul J. Emery, Sr. (1963 to 1972), EBI was renamed Northeast Bible Institute and earned accreditation from the American Association of Bible Colleges. Emery was succeeded by Rev. Obie L. Harrup, Sr. (1972 to 1979). In May 1975, under Harrup’s leadership, NBI received provisional approval from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to grant bachelor’s degrees in Bible and the school’s name was changed to Northeast Bible College.

New campus, new name 

In 1976, Northeast Bible College moved to the site of the former Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, PA, and the name of the college was officially changed to Valley Forge Christian College on January 1, 1977. In May 1978, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approved VFCC’s request to grant a Bachelor’s Degree in religious education.

The dramatic progress of the college has continued under the presidents who followed Harrup: Rev. Owen C. Carr (1979 to 1982); Dr. J. Robert Ashcroft (1982 to 1985); and Rev. Wesley W. Smith (1985 to 1996). In December 1996, Dr. Don Meyer was appointed president and he continues in that role today.