Jarvis Christian's History

Founded in 1912, Jarvis Christian University is a historically Black institution that has been affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since inception. Jarvis Christian University began as Jarvis Christian Institute, modeled after the Southern Christian Institute of Edwards, Mississippi. Formal instructional programs commenced on January 13, 1913, with an enrollment of twelve students, all in the elementary grades.

The recorded history began in 1904, when the Negro Disciples of Christ in Texas, spearheaded by Mrs. Mary Alphin, State Organizer, in conjunction with the Christian Woman’s Board of Missions, began planning for a school for Black youth. Financial goals were set. The Negro Disciples of Christ in Texas were to raise $1,000 for a school; the Christian Woman’s Board of Missions would contribute $10,000 if this were done. Meanwhile, Miss Virginia Hearn, State Secretary for Women’s Work, convinced Mrs. Ida Van Zandt Jarvis of the need for a school for Black youth. In turn, Mrs. Jarvis worked to persuade her husband, Major James Jones Jarvis, to donate land upon which a school could be built.

In 1910, Major and Mrs. Jarvis deeded 456 acres of land near Hawkins, Texas, to the Christian Woman’s Board of Missions on the condition that it “keep up and maintain a school for the elevation and education of the Negro race… in which school there shall be efficient religious and industrial training.” Inherent in the spirit of the donation was the idea that the land would be used to educate “head, heart, and hand” and to produce “useful citizens and earnest Christians.” Shortly after the land was donated, the Negro Disciples of Christ in Texas, largely through the efforts of the churches successfully completed the fundraising campaign.

Although the thrust of the educational program has changed dramatically since then, Jarvis Christian University has continued to educate “head, heart, and hand,” a challenging and ambitious purpose. https://www.jarvis.edu/jcc-facts

Jarvis Christian's Culture

The Jarvis Christian University culture is unique in that it promotes a "culture of care" that extends throughout the university community. Students are exposed to internal and external leadership opportunities that sharpen their skills for future leadership positions. Students are involved in community service and contribute to the family environment that makes the campus special. JCU is defined by its development of student faith through chapel services and an inclusive environment. Additionally, students have the traditional HBCU experience through homecoming, participation in the choir, concerts and diversity programming.

What to know about Jarvis Christian

Jarvis Christian University is proud of the scholastic achievements of our students, the expansion of our academic programs including areas of cyber-security, healthcare management, esports and mass communications as well as the drive of our faculty and staff to move our students and institution from excellence to preeminence. Jarvis was named one of 19 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders for 2022 and the only HBCU listed among 25 educational gems in the State of Texas. We have math majors with 4.0 GPAs who were accepted into the BRING MATH program with the Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation at Argon National Laboratory; students who have conducted cancer research that have been launched into space as well as those who have conducted cancer research that has led to student papers being published in peer-reviewed medical journals; students who have attended ivy league schools for graduate programs; and students who were accepted in Harvard University's summer business program. Jarvis’ student chapter of the National Association of Blacks in Accounting (NABA) is one of the largest in the country. Jarvis recently held a ribbon cutting to open its new esports and gaming lab, featuring $40,000 in new gaming equipment. As per our alma mater, Jarvis is "None but Great!"

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