Historical Sketch

N. J. and Lucy Holmes, Presbyterian ministers and community leaders, founded Holmes Bible College in 1898 in the old Altamont Hotel on Paris Mountain in Greenville, SC.  The school made several moves in its early years--first to Atlanta, GA, then to Columbia, SC, and finally back to Greenville in 1905.  In 1915, it relocated to the corner of Buncombe Street at Briggs Avenue where it remained for the next ninety-three years.  In July, 2008 the college moved onto a new campus consisting of thirty-eight acres bordering Furman University at 4901 Old Buncombe Road near the intersection of Duncan Chapel Road.

Amidst the moving and restructuring of the school through the years, it underwent several name changes.  Founder N. J. Holmes called it the Altamont Bible and Missionary Institute.  Near the end of his life, it was rechristened Holmes Bible and Missionary Institute.  Later it became Holmes College of Theology and Missions, then Holmes Theological Seminary, Holmes College of the Bible and finally Holmes Bible College.

Holmes has seen remarkably little administrative turnover, despite its longevity.  N. J. Holmes acted as president until his death in 1919.  He was succeeded by Dr. Paul F. Beacham, who served as president for fifty-nine years until his death in 1978.  Dr. Kenneth D. Benson replaced Dr. Beacham, continuing in office until his retirement in 1996. His successor was Dr. Richard Waters who served until 2008.  Dr. G. Earl Beatty served as interim president until the Board of Trustees named Bishop James D. Leggett as the current president in 2009.