The History of Western Seminary

Through the efforts of Walter B. Hinson, the Portland Baptist Bible Institute was organized in the winter of 1925. In 1926, efforts were begun to replace the Bible Institute with a graduate-level seminary to provide more adequate theological education in the Northwest. Western Baptist Theological Seminary was officially dedicated on October 4, 1927.

The purpose of the infant institution was reported by the Board of Trustees: “Looking across the years... we saw coming out of Western Baptist Theological Seminary, men and women schooled to preach and teach the eternal truths of God’s Word and the redemptive love and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw pupils of sound teachers occupying pulpits and mission fields around the world.”

In 1944 the Board of Trustees acquired the present five-acre campus in Portland. Classes at the new site convened in the fall of that year.

Western’s presidents have often been noteworthy and innovative leaders in theological education, including Dr. Earl D. Radmacher (president from 1965-1989) and the current president, Dr. Bert Downs. Dr. Downs began his presidency in the summer of 1998. A Western alumnus, he brings to the Seminary a wide variety of effective leadership experiences in both parachurch and congregational settings.

Western Seminary has consequently established a number of highly visible and forward-looking programs. It was one of the first schools to offer the Doctor of Ministry degree. In 1981, Western launched an innovative video instruction program which quickly expanded to serve hundreds of students per year in study centers across America and overseas. More recent innovations include a dual-track approach to learning the biblical languages, cross-registration options for students in the D.Min. and D.Miss. programs, an enhanced mentored field ministry program with unique outcome certification options, and increased scheduling and delivery system flexibility to make quality theological education more accessible to students whose circumstances require creative accommodation. In fulfillment of our desire to make residential seminary education accessible to key cities on the West Coast, Western has also established two branch campuses in Northern California (San Jose and Sacramento).