MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE HISTORY

Manna Bible Institute (MBI) is built upon the full authority of the Holy Scriptures and dedicated to the Glory of God. It is a positive evangelical ministry that declares the Christian faith and seeks to train men and women whom God has called to serve Him.

Manna was established in 1944 by a group of prominent evangelical ministers and laymen who were vitally interested in the spiritual welfare of Christians who wanted thorough, systematic Bible training, but found it impossible to attend the other Bible school in Philadelphia (especially because of their lack of scholastic credit requirements of these schools.)

Manna Bible Institute held its first classes with twelve students and six faculty members  September 19, 1944, in the Y.M.C.A. building located at 16th and Catherine Streets. When the school opened, Dr. E. Schuyler English, well known editor and Bible expositor, was the first president and Dr. Philip Austin, Pastor of the West Hope Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, was the first dean. 

In October 1945, the school moved to the Galilee Mission in Philadelphia, and with this move, a number of personnel changes occurred. Mr. A. J. Stewart then president of the Sunday Breakfast Association became president of Manna. Dr. James O. Palmer succeeded Dr. Austin as dean of the school. 

The school moved again in 1946 to 19th & Susquehanna Avenue. Miss Emily D. Smith of the Sunday School Times staff joined the faculty in 1946. After a careful study of the teaching program, she recommended that the school institute change from a two-year to a four-year program comparable to that of other Bible schools throughout the nation.

The first graduation class exercise was held in the New Bethlehem Baptist Church, Philadelphia, June 10, 1948. By this time the enrollment had increased to about 64 students.

Manna Bible Institute had always worked out of rented quarter, but in 1951, Mr. And Mrs. Samuel Moore of the Board of Directors, gave their home at 611 N. 53rd Street in December 1951, the Institute conducted its first classes in its own building with an enrollment of 85 students.

Mt. A.J. Stewart resigned in 1952 as President and Dr. James O. Palmer succeeded him serving in the dual roles of president and dean. When Dr. Palmer became the Executive Director of the American Scripture Gift Mission in May 1959, Rev. R. Clyde Smith of the faculty was elected Dean of Manna. He became vice-president and dean in November 1962, and continued to serve until sudden death in May 1967.

Mr. Vaughn Smith succeeded Dr Palmer as President in 1958 and the school both grew in numbers and extended it lines of influence and usefulness throughout the Christian community. In 1964 The Reverend William L. Banks became Manna’s fifth President and served for two years until church duties, made it necessary for him to resign from this office.

In June of 1967 Dr. Harvey P. Davis was elected President of Manna Bible Institute. Under his able leadership the curriculum was updated and expanded. After years of steady growth, it was evident that Manna needed larger quarters with an enrollment nearly 200. Many months of prayer resulted in Manna moving to 2637 North Fourth Street, Philadelphia.

Through the years Manna has gone through various changes. From 1944 to 1973 the Institute continued its faithful ministry as an Evening School. The Board of Directors, after much prayer for God’s guidance, decided to start a Day School program at the college level for those who had high school diplomas or its equivalent.

There was a Day School from 1973 through 1991 offering three credit hour courses that were accepted at accredited colleges. Dr. Gerald L. Stover was the Academic Dean. There about 38 students in the Day School by 1975.

Then came a new opportunity and after much prayer for God’s guidance, the Board of Directors negotiated the purchase of a lovely campus in the historic Germantown section of Philadelphia, located at 700 E. Church Lane. 

Possession took place in July 1975. In May 1977 the first two graduates of the Day School received their diplomas. In July 1977 Dr. Stover resigned and upon his resignation Dr. Paul J. Pathickal was appointed Academic Dean of the Day School.

Although the Day School closed in 1991, Manna continues its Bible program as an evening school. Four extension campuses have been opened. Three of these campuses are in the New Jersey area: Mount Holly (1978), Glassboro (1993) and Atco (1993), and one campus in Chester, PA (1989).

Manna is in its 66th year and has made nine building moves (not including the temporary classes held at Triumph Baptist Church (Fall 1996), Berachah Baptist Church (Spring 1997), Christ Baptist Church (Summer1997, Cornerstone Baptist Church (Fall 2000), and Burholme Baptist Church (Spring 2005 to present).   Manna is still the premier Bible Institute in this historic city of Philadelphia with well-qualified faculty consisting of pastors, noted Christian leaders, laymen, missionaries, and others who are committed to this ministry.

Through the years God as been faithful to Manna and we have had some dedicated volunteers that have given many hours of service in our various departments. Manna Bible Institute was built upon Faith and continues to Fulfill God’s plane of providing Christian training to all who have a desire to learn.