Virginia Seminary and College was organized in May 1886 during the 19th annual session of the Virginia Baptist State Convention at the First Baptist Church in Lexington, Va. The Rev. P.F. Morris, pastor of Court Street Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va., offered the resolution that authorized the establishment of the institution.

A preliminary meeting perfecting the plans to organize the school and locate it at Lynchburg was held in July 1886. At this meeting, lawyer James H. Hayes of Richmond was appointed to obtain a charter for the school. The plans drawn up in the preliminary meeting were ratified during the 20th annual session of the Convention held at High Street Baptist Church in Danville, Va., in May 1887.

The next annual session of the Virginia Baptist State Convention was held in 1888 at Court Street Baptist Church. At this session, the location of the school in Lynchburg, the plans and specifications for the first brick building, the letting of the contract for the erection of the building and the charter were approved. The cornerstone of the first building was laid in July 1888.

According to the charter, the school was first known by the name Lynchburg Baptist Seminary. A temporary weatherboard building was erected in 1889. Renamed Virginia Seminary, the school was opened on Jan. 18, 1890, by Professor R. P. Armstead with an enrollment of 33 students.

By charter amendments, the school’s name has been changed five times: from Lynchburg Baptist Seminary to Virginia Seminary, 1890; from Virginia Seminary to Virginia Theological Seminary and College, 1900; from Virginia Theological Seminary and College to Virginia Seminary and College, 1962; and from Virginia Theological Seminary and College to Virginia College-Virginia Seminary, 1967; and finally, Virginia University of Lynchburg, 1996.

The institution has had 16 presidents. The first president was the Rev. P.F. Morris (1888-1890). Professor G. W. Hayes, the second president (1890-1906), popularized the institution's philosophy of self-help, and during his administration Hayes Hall was completed.

During the administration of Dr. Robert C. Woods, a former student of Professor Hayes, the school enjoyed its greatest period of expansion. Fox Hall, Graham Hall and Humbles Hall were erected; several lots and cottages were purchased; a capable and efficient faculty was employed; and a student body of 600 was enrolled.

Of the university’s 16 presidents, the following 11 were graduates of the institution: Robert C. Woods, William H.R. Powell, Vernon N. Johns, Madison C. Allen, McCarthy C. Southerland, Benjamin W. Robertson, Leroy Fitts, Melvin R. Boone, Thomas E. Parker, Elisha G. Hall and Ralph Reavis.

Presidents of Virginia University of Lynchburg

Philip F. Morris, B.A., B.D., M.A., D.D., 1888-1890

Gregory W. Hayes, A.B., MA., 1891-1906

Mary Hayes, A.B., 1906-1908

J.R.L. Diggs, A.B., M.A., Ph.D., 1908-1911

R.C. Woods, B.A., A.M., D.D., 1911-1926

W.H.R. Powell, A.B.,B.D., D.D., 1926-1929

Vernon Johns, A.B., B.D., D.D., 1929-1934

W.H.R. Powell, A.B., B.D., D.D., 1934-1946

M.C. Allen, A.B., M.A., B.D., D.D., 1946-1966

MacCarthy C. Sutherland, A.B., S.T.B., M.A., D.D., 1966-1980

Benjamin W. Robertson, A.B., B.Th., M.Div., D.Min., D.D., 1980

Leroy Fitts, A.B., M.Div., D.D.1980-1981

Thomas E. Parker, B.Th., D.D. 1982-1987

Melvin R. Boone, A.B., M.Div., D.D., 1988-1990

Ada M. Palmer, A.B., M.A., L.H.D. 1990-1992

Elisha G. Hall, A.B., M.A., M.Div., D.D., 1992-1999