The first classes at Practical Bible Training School were held above a store in Lestershire, New York.
Davis College was founded in April 1900 by evangelist Reverend John Adelbert Davis. Rev. Davis wanted to start a school similar to his alma mater, Chicago's Moody Bible Institute. He taught the first classes at what was then known as Practical Bible School with an enrollment of around 80 to 90 students. The school's first classes were held in an upper level of a store in the Lestershire neighborhood of Johnson City In 1911, the college relocated to the former location of the White City Amusement Park, also known as Wagner Park, which had failed the previous year. It would remain at this location until 2019.
After Davis' death in 1934, his oldest son, Gordon Carr Davis, became the president and Practical Bible Training School changed its legal name to the John A. Davis Memorial Bible School, in memory of his father. In 1993, it was renamed Practical Bible College. In August 2004, the college became Davis College in honor of its founder John A. Davis.
Sale of Johnson City campus
In 2019 the Johnson City campus was sold for $3.7 million. By September 2023, the former campus had been re-sold in pieces, with the dorms being purchased for $1.3 million and the academic buildings to Birchwood Management Group for $4.5 million.[3]
The college also offers a "4 Plus 1" Elementary Education articulation agreement allowing graduates from the Christian Ministries program to pursue a MsEd in Childhood Education at a Christian university. This provides certification that is reciprocal in 48 states, including New York and Florida, allowing graduates to teach in both public and private schools. One year certificates are also offered in Bible and Teaching English as a Second Language.[6]
In 2012, Davis College purchased Blessed Sacrament Church, which was heavily damaged by flooding in 2011.[7] This acquisition provided the school with its first distinct chapel.
