Louisiana Christian University
Pineville, LA
Quick Facts
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Louisiana Christian University
Louisiana Christian University: A century of faith-based education cultivating Christian leaders.
Louisiana Christian University (LCU), formerly known as Louisiana College, stands as a beacon of Christian education with a rich history rooted in the Baptist tradition. Since its founding in 1906, the university has been committed to shaping future generations of Christian leaders, emphasizing spiritual growth alongside academic excellence. Its transformation to Louisiana Christian University underscores its steadfast dedication to a faith-centric mission in a modern educational landscape.
LCU's origins trace back to October 3, 1906, in Pineville, Louisiana, initially operating in tents with a modest group of four professors and nineteen students. It proudly carries on the legacy of two earlier Louisiana Baptist institutions, Mount Lebanon College and Keatchie Female College, which converged under the Louisiana Baptist Convention to establish a more centrally located and enduring educational body. Edwin O. Ware, Sr., a visionary Baptist clergyman, is celebrated as the principal founder, steering the institution through its formative years and serving as its first president from 1908 to 1909. Over its long history, more than ten thousand students have proudly graduated from its programs.
The university's campus features historic structures, notably Alexandria Hall, completed in 1920 and now recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Academically, LCU strengthens its commitment to Christian leadership through institutions like the Caskey School of Divinity. This school, which began classes in fall 2011, focuses on equipping Christian leaders to correctly handle the word of truth, preach the gospel passionately, and model outstanding Christian character. While the university has faced challenges, including the aspirational but ultimately unrealized plans for a law school, its core mission to deliver engaging, faith-informed education remains unwavering.
Key Highlights
- ✦Founded on October 3, 1906, as Louisiana College, later becoming Louisiana Christian University.
- ✦Serves as the successor to two earlier Louisiana Baptist schools: Mount Lebanon College and Keatchie Female College.
- ✦Has seen more than ten thousand students graduate since its first class in 1906.
- ✦Home to Alexandria Hall, a historic building completed in 1920 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- ✦Features the Caskey School of Divinity, launched in 2011, dedicated to training Christian leaders.
- ✦Led by a series of influential presidents, including Claybrook Cottingham (1910-1942) and Rick Brewer (2015-2024).
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
2 notable schools within Louisiana Christian University
Caskey School of Divinity
Established in 2011, this school is dedicated to training future generations of Christian leaders to preach the word, handle the word of truth, emphasize the great truths of the Christian faith, and share the gospel passionately.
Proposed Judge Paul Pressler School of Law
Announced in 2007 with plans to open in Shreveport, this proposed law school ultimately never opened due to challenges in fundraising and achieving accreditation.
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