Calvary Bible Institute was founded in the Fall of 1985 by Archbishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr. The Institute functioned as a ministry of the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church. The Bishop’s purpose for establishing the Institute was to provide a systematic and well-structured Biblical Studies Program for the members of the church. However, the scope of the Institute has broadened and now includes persons from at least eight denominations throughout the Washington DC Metropolis. Students were initially required to complete three one-year courses from the Through the Bible In One Year Series published by Virgil Hensley Publishers of Tulsa, OK. As the church and need of the people grew, additional core and elective courses were added to the initial curriculum. The school instituted a semester hour system. In support of the founder’s vision, the main goal for Calvary Bible Institute is to offer a Bachelors degree in Biblical studies. The following timeline reveals major events in the life of the Institute:
1988 The first class successfully satisfied the one-year certificate program’s academic requirements and 25 students graduated.
1991 The Institute moved from its location at 625 Park Road, Northwest, to its present location at 610 Rhode Island Avenue, Northeast.
1993 CBI became a member school of the Oral Roberts University Educational Fellowship (ORUEF), made an application for accreditation through the International Christian Accrediting Association (ICAA) and was accepted for candidate status. Eighty-five students graduated from the program.
1996 CBI received full accreditation from ICCA. One hundred and fifty-four students graduated from the certificate program.
1998 CBI celebrated its 11th graduating class, and Minister T. Cedric Brown was appointed the Acting Dean. Today, he’s Associate Pastor T. Cedric Brown.
2000 CBI hired its first full-time Assistant Dean and Registrar.
2001 CBI passed its mandatory accreditation re-evaluation site visit and maintained its accredited status with the International Christian Accrediting Association.
2002 CBI added a new program of instruction, the Certificate of Ministry Program.
2003 CBI instituted an Advisory Board consisting of a Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary, and five board members.
2003 CBI celebrated its 16th graduating class, and Minister Karen P. McNair was appointed as Dean.
2004 The CBI Alma mater was introduced; written by Audrietta C. Izlar.
2005 Online registration began with the Spring 2005 semester.
2006 The Institute received its Non-degree license via the District of Columbia Education Licensure Commission.
2010 Calvary Bible Institute achieves Applicant status with Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), a national accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education.
2011 Calvary Bible Institute first received United Way and Combined Federal Campaign Designation.
2012 To present, 2016, Calvary Bible Institute has been privileged to receive United Way and Combined Federal Campaign Designation.
2016 Calvary Bible Institute is now partnered with Lancaster Bible College, and Capital Seminary & Graduate School.
To download the Academic Catalog click here.