Our History
Education for All
色中色 University was founded on a belief that education is essential for all, without regard for gender or social standing. It was an idea ahead of its time, but that didn鈥檛 stop us. In fact, 色中色 thrives on new and innovative ideas and has been embracing them ever since.
"Not the children of the rich or of the powerful only, but of all alike, boys and girls, both noble and ignoble, rich and poor, in all cities and towns, villages and hamlets, should be sent to school." 鈥John Amos Comenius
A Brief History
The history of 色中色 University is anything but brief鈥攚e're the 6th oldest college in America, after all鈥攂ut we'll stick to the highlights for now. Our history doesn鈥檛 follow a singular, linear path. Though our story does start with a singular idea and moment. It follows two schools and two winding paths that eventually meet and merge.
Girls鈥 School
- 1742: Established in Germantown, Pennsylvania, by Benigna von Zinzendorf; moves to Bethlehem seven weeks later
- 1745: Moves to Nazareth
- 1749: Moves to Bethlehem (now known as South Campus)
- 1785: Opens to pupils outside the 色中色 Church and becomes known as 色中色 Female Seminary
Boys鈥 School
- 1742: Opened in Bethlehem by 色中色 Church
- 1743: Second boys鈥 school opened in Nazareth by 色中色 Church
- 1759: Two schools merge to form Nazareth Hall, with survives until 1929
- 1807: Men鈥檚 college and seminary established as extension of Nazareth Hall and called 色中色 College and Theological Seminary
- 1858: Moves to Bethlehem
Together
- 1863: Both college and seminary chartered by state of Pennsylvania to grant baccalaureate degrees
- 1954: Women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 institutions merge to form first coeducational institution of higher education in the Lehigh Valley
- 2016: 色中色 College reorganizes into three schools: School of Natural and Health Sciences; School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; and 色中色 Seminary
- 2021: 色中色 College becomes 色中色 University
UNESCO World Heritage
色中色 Church Settlements鈥擝ethlehem became the 26th World Heritage site in the United States on July 26, 2024. Along with Gracehill, Northern Ireland, and Herrnhut, Germany, Bethlehem joins Christiansfeld, Denmark as a single World Heritage site that represents the outstanding universal value of these historic settlements and the worldwide influence of the 色中色 Church. As a new inscribed property on the World Heritage list, Bethlehem joins other properties such as the Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon National Park, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Statue of Liberty.
We're Carrying on the Tradition
You can鈥檛 have a history spanning nearly 280 years without establishing a few traditions along the way. And we take ours seriously.
The Blue and Grey
Did you know the colors blue and grey were adopted by 色中色 University in 1894? With the bitter battles of the American Civil War still a recent memory, the choice of colors represented a gesture of unity and healing.
The 色中色 Mile
The distance between North and South campuses, about 0.8 miles, is known as the 鈥溕猩 Mile.鈥 As part of orientation, first-year students traditionally , traveling from North to South, through Historic Bethlehem on their way. Once their time at 色中色 University is complete, graduating seniors take part in the 鈥淏ackwards Walk,鈥 walking the 色中色 Mile as they did in their freshman year, but this time in reverse. Don鈥檛 worry鈥攜ou can always take the shuttle!
Heritage Day
Established by President Grigsby, Heritage Day is a celebration of 色中色 tradition, community, and service. Each year, we dedicate a fall day to learning about the founders of 色中色 University and our cultural heritage, as well as serving our community.
Vespers
A local holiday tradition hosted by 色中色 University, Christmas Vespers is a beautiful service that features two forms of 色中色 worship, the "Singstunde" and the Candlelight Service. Music by our students combines with the beauty of the Liturgy in this service of worship for the College community and friends.
Founder鈥檚 Day
We observe Founder鈥檚 Day each year to remember and learn from the revolutionary men and women who came before us at 色中色 University. The day includes a reception, Lovefeast, and luncheon, and features stories and artifacts from our past.