Inspired by the success of Herbert Bible School in southern Saskatchewan, in 1926, Jacob Lepp, H.A. Willems and John Harder invited Moody graduate George Harms to teach 3 months of evening classes to 30 young people in the Rosthern area. When a public school building became available in Hepburn in 1927, Bethany Bible School was born.
The school was established to
- give youth foundational instruction,
- wrench youth away from frivolous pursuits (and nurture the German language), and
- raise believing youth for the battle of the faith (and train for the needs of congregations).
Church historian Bruce Guenther observes the school became unique for the following:
- an early move toward a college program,
- aggressive promotion of mission…which led to
- (student-led) transition away from German much earlier than other MB institutions.
![NP149-01-0632 (2)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0632-2.jpg)
![NP149-01-0630 (2)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0630-2.jpg)
![NP149-01-0629 (2)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0629-2.jpg)
![NP149-01-0628 (2)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0628-2.jpg)
![NP149-01-0635 (3)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0635-3.jpg)
![NP149-01-0634 (4)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0634-4.jpg)
![NP149-01-0633 (2)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0633-2.jpg)
![NP149-01-0625 (2)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0625-2.jpg)
![NP149-01-0615 (3)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0615-3.jpg)
![NP149-01-0624 (2)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0624-2.jpg)
![NP149-01-0614 (3) Bethany College](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0614-3.jpg)
![NP149-01-0642 (3)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0642-3.jpg)
![NP149-01-0645 (3)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0645-3.jpg)
1927 – school established under first principal/president Dietrich P. Esau
1932 – students establish Bethany Prayer League which grows into Western Children’s Mission
1934 – curriculum expands to 4-year program
1941–1945 – curriculum expands to 5 years
1958 – amalgamates with Herbert Bible School
1960 – campus expands to 13.5 acres
1968 – Alberta conference and Alberta MB Bible Institute of Coaldale join Saskatchewan as co-sponsor
1969–1983 – building blitz
1981 – 199 students enroll – the peak year
1986 – students vote to allow women to run for student president
1994 – Bethany Place, gymnasium & auditorium project, completed
1995 – Saskatchewan Churches of Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference becomes co-sponsor
2000 – obtains full accreditation with Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges
2002 – name changes to Bethany College
Bethany College has 5,932 alumni.
![NP149-01-0646 (3)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0646-3.jpg)
![NP149-01-0636 (3)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0636-3.jpg)
![NP149-01-0620 (2)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0620-2.jpg)
![NP149-01-0617 (3)](https://mbherald.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NP149-01-0617-3.jpg)
Updated May 26, 2015: archival photos added courtesy of CMBS and MAID.