Before 1940, Three Organizations

Prior to 1940 the promotion of educational training among Seventh Day Baptists was in the hands of three boards, or societies, each specializing in a separate phase of the total program.

Seventh Day Baptist Education Society, Inc.

The Education Society was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1856. It was concerned almost exclusively with higher education, the fostering and support of our denominational colleges, and especially the maintenance and financial sponsoring of our School of Theology.

Sabbath School Board of the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference, Inc.

The Sabbath School Board was formed as a standing committee of the General Conference in 1872. Its work was the organization of Sabbath Schools in the churches, the promotion of improved methods of teaching through institutes and conferences, and the publication of lesson helps and periodicals to advance the general purpose of Bible study. Much valuable work was done by many volunteer workers prior to 1905, when the first full-time representative was employed. In 1908 the Board was given legal status as the Sabbath School Board of the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference, when it was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. The location of the Sabbath School Board was moved in 1912 from New York City to Milton, Wisconsin. The Milton group composed the Board and faithfully promoted its interests for 28 years, from 1912 to 1940.

Young People’s Board of the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference

The Young People’s Board was formed first as a permanent committee by the General Conference in 1889. Its organization and its efforts through the years paralleled closely the beginning and growth of the Christian Endeavor movement in Protestant churches of America. Nearly all its promotional work was done by volunteers in spare time. The activities of the Board were aggressively carried on by Battle Creek young people for 16 years, from 1918-1934. In 1934 the Board was moved to Alfred, from which it served youth interests until the merger in 1940.

The Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.

The Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York on June 12, 1940, as a consolidation of the Seventh Day Baptist Education Society, the Sabbath School Board, and the Young People’s Board. The new agency assumed responsibility for the activities of the merging societies. The Alfred University School of Theology closed June 30, 1963; and responsibility for ministerial education was transferred by action of the 1962 General Conference to the Council on Ministerial Training (presently Council on Ministry).