Oklahoma Presbyterian College

Oklahoma Presbyterian College represents nearly three quarters of a century of labor by the Presbyterians on behalf of (primarily Oklahoma Indians. Work here in Durant began in 1894 when the Home Missions committee of the Presbyterian Church in the United States opened Calvin Institute, a coeducational school for Indians of the Five Civilized Tribes.

This initial effort in educational mission work was so successful that a fund drive for expansion was begun in 1899. It, too, was successful, and in September 1901 a new and larger school was opened in a large brick building costing the for-then munificent sum of $11,000. For the new building a new name seemed only reasonable: Calvin Institute became Durant Presbyterian College.

Statehood for Oklahoma came in 1907, and with it an expanded and improved educational system. "Normal" schools were called for to provide teachers for the new state. A scattering of them was authorized by the Legislature and in 1908 the City of Durant purchased the physical plant of Durant Presbyterian College, which became Southeastern Normal School the following year (and is today Southeastern Oklahoma State University). The Presbyterians, meanwhile, with their sale money, had purchased a new site on what was then the northwest edge of Durant and Oklahoma Presbyterian College for Girls came into being in September 1910.

The new institution was operated as a four-year, degree-granting college until 1916, when the program was reduced to three years. The college accepted junior college status in 1920. Dr. W. B. Morrison served as president during this initial decade, A scholarly historian, he helped establish the academic soundness of the new institution,
Still, the school fell on hard times -- with nearly everyone else -- in the 1930s, (Curiously enough, large gifts from wealthy Indians more than once rescued the school's budget from serious deficits.) And in 1935 a definite change was made in the program, For reasons of economy and mutual self-interest, OPC became affiliated with then Southeastern State College ... concentrating on Bible, religious education, leadership training, and music programs, while Southeastern assumed responsibility for the academic instruction of both schools.

This arrangement proved advantageous to both institutions. The only significant change came in 1951 when Oklahoma Presbyterian College for Girls dropped "Girls" from its title and age in became coeducational. This status lasted until 1966, when the rising costs of higher education everywhere finally brought about the school's closing. It continued to serve for a time as the Oklahoma Presbyterian Center. More recently it accommodated head start, day care, and other welfare service needs. Then in 1975 it was purchased by the Red River Valley Historical Society for use as its seven-state headquarters and regional museum, Implementation of this project is currently under way.

In summary, Oklahoma Presbyterian College, an academic facility no longer needed in today's fast-changing world, promises, as a still eminently serviceable physical property, to serve the expanded needs of a seven-state cultural community, white and red, that is at long last wakening to its rich historical heritage. And becoming increasingly determined to preserve and interpret it for future generations.