American Baptist College is a private, Baptist college in Nashville, Tennessee, affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, USA. Founded in 1924, its predecessor in black Baptist education was Roger Williams University, a Nashville college begun in the late-19th century and closed in the early 20th century.
In 1901, Sutton Griggs founded and operated the Orion Publishing Company. The author of more than 33 books, five of which were novels. Dr. Sutton E. Griggs is well known for his response to the racial injustices of his day. From 1925 to 1926, he served as president of the College.
Built in 1925, the Griggs Hall is the original building on the campus of American Baptist College. It was named for father and son, Drs. Allen R. and Sutton E. Griggs.
Reverend Thomas Eliot Huntley served as a guest lecturer for the 5th annual Garnett-Nabritt Lectures March 6-9 1962 at American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, TN. Rev. Huntley picked up the mantle in 1930-1931 at Second Missionary Baptist Church in Pennsylvania as a young Theological student, never forgetting his roots, and always saying how “Second Baptist assisted him in attending College and Pastoring.”
He also served as pastor for the Central Baptist Church of St. Louis around 1942. A pastor for 39 years Rev. Huntley wrote a book entitled "I Saw It" and subtitled "Not Communism but Commonism" which was sold in Britian, Ireland, and India. Before his death in 1983, he was set to receive an honorary doctorate of divinity degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta where he recieved his undergraduate degree in 1934. He held honorary degrees from Friendship College in Rock Hill, S.C., and Selma University in Selma, A.L. In 1947, he pioneered what he called a church ministry on wheels in St. Louis.
August 31, 1981 Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr. (St. Louis, Missouri) proclaimed that day as Thomas Eliot Huntley Day.
(excerpt from his obituary,St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri • Wed, Sep 28, 1983, Page 14)
Dr. Ralph Waldo Riley began his administration in June 1944, by directing the summer session of the Seminary. Thirty-six students were enrolled for twelve weeks. Courses were offered in Theological and Religious Education. Seminars were presented on the Rural Church Program and a Pastors Institute was held. The President's Inauguration was held as the First Baptist Church, 8th Avenue, North Nashville, January 27, 1946 with Dr. A.M. Townsend, Secretary of the Sunday School Publishing Board, National Baptist Convention and Chairman of the Seminary Commission, presiding. Dr. E.P. Alldredge, for 25 years the statistician of the Southern Baptist Convention presented the new president. Since the President's Home that was located on the old Roger Williams Property has been deeded to the National Baptist Training School and since the government would not allow the building of a home on the campus those war years, President Dr. Riley, had difficulty in renting and was forced to purchase a home about six miles from the Seminary. The Seminary Commission paid both rental and transportation charges for the President.
On June 18, 1957 at a called meeting of the trustees in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Maynard P. Turner Jr. was elected president of the seminary for six years. Dr. Turner officially accepted July 16, 1957 and assumed the duties of the office, August 5, 1957. Pres. Dr. Turner served as President of the Nashville NAACP Branch, and also accepted the call to pastor in December 1960 of the illustrious Mount Zion Church. Dr. Turner brought to Mount Zion the fruits of extensive training and varied experience. Before serving as Shepard of the Mount Zion Family.
Originally named the T.L. Holcomb Library, the Susie McClure Library was completed September 15, 1953. It took less than one year to finish the construction. Constructed to have three floors of stack space , which housed 50,000 volumes. George C. Monroe Jr, served as the first Acting Librarian for the college with Mrs. Martha A. Riley taking the position of Assistant Acting Librarian. The overall reading room capacity seated 300 students. The Library was dedicated on April 14, 1954 with Dr. J.H. Jackson, President of the National Baptist Convention, Dr. Ralph W. Riley, President of American Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Nannie Helen Burroughs, President of the Woman's Convention to the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc, and Dr. Primrose Funches, Western Directory of Young People's Department of the Woman's Convention and Co-Director of the $50,000 drive for the library were in attendance.
Charles Lewter, James Thomas, and Michael Smalls (3 of ten Charter Members) of the Mu Gamma chapter- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
