Barbara Ann PhD Coan

The History of Baptist Student Ministry at Tarleton State University Barbara Ann PhD Coan

The history of John Tarleton's college in Stephenville, Texas was the setting for the story of Tarleton's Baptist student ministry that began in 1921. The Baptist Student Union met on campus until 1947 when the Baptist General Convention of Texas purchased property for $12,000 from the Jones family one block from the college campus. In 1947, the old house was converted into space for the new ministry with living quarters in the back for the first full-time B. S. U. Director, Felix Gresham. Further improvements to the old building continued until the second and current Baptist student center was built in 1986. The land was purchased for $20,000 by the Erath Baptist Association in 1979 and then given to the Baptist General Convention. The Tarleton Baptist Student Ministry continues to meet the spiritual needs of thousands of students through Beach Reach, Mission trips, Noon Luncheons, Bible Studies, Leadership Training, and Prayer groups.