WCHS

Menu

WISE COUNTY HISTORICAL SITES

Decatur Baptist College

1602 South Trinity Street, Decatur, Texas 76234

Decatur Baptist College was the world’s first institution to be planned (in 1898) as a junior college. This hall was built in 1892, for an earlier school. The Baptist Convention bought the property and turned it into Decatur Baptist College, through the support of 20 Wise County men who pledged $1,000 each. The home of the world’s first junior college, the school was a preparatory school for Baylor University until it moved to Dallas in 1965 Baptist College. The last president of Decatur Baptist College was Dr. Otis Strickland.
The building now stands in ruins after a fire in March 2023.

Help us preserve local history. DONATE Members are the core of the Wise County Historical Society. For only $20 a year you can become a member and help us keep local history alive. You'll also receive our monthly newsletter, early notice of events, and other benefits! JOIN As a nonprofit organization, we primarily rely on donations from individuals and businesses. Any donation, large or small, is appreciated and will be used to help us preserve history and educate the community about our shared past. VOLUNTEER Our volunteers are what keep us going. We are always looking for people willing to help with a variety of tasks, including lawn care, office filing, staffing events, and many other things. If you would like to help out please reach out by clicking below. DONATE MEMBERSHIP VOLUNTEER We can't do it alone. With the tragic loss of the Wise County Heritage Museum building in 2023, we need your help more than ever. We continue to move forward and are working to restore the site to house important local artifacts and historical documents. Fortunately, there are many ways you can support us in this effort.