THE INSIDER - SPRING 2025

GIVING THE PEOPLE LIGHT FOR 131 YEARS

January 9, 2025, signified a momentous occasion in the life of Texas College – the 131st Anniversary of the College's founding. Founded in 1894 by a group of ministers from the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, now the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, to educate a disenfranchised population, Texas College has served as a beacon of hope and opportunity for the East Texas region and beyond, providing educational opportunities for the past 131 years. As the College embraces the 131st year, it does so with determination and commitment to continuing its mission for the next century of service, ensuring that Texas College remains to serve the generations to come. Since that watershed moment in 1894, Texas College has brought life into the community and served as a beacon of hope for the East Texas region and beyond. Having been in the same geographic location for more than 131 years, on the same founding physical site, Texas College has continuously provided educational opportunities since 1894.

TEXAS COLLEGE’S FIRST BUILDING (1894)

The historical records of the College provide an account of humble beginnings that started with an enrollment of just six students of varying ages. However, Texas College’s enrollment grew quickly within the same year to comprise more than 100 students because of an interest in education, believed to be an equalizer of men and women across racial lines and barriers, leading to gainful employment and a better way of life.

MARTIN HALL UNDER CONTRUCTION (1924)

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