Our History
Sydney Missionary and Bible College is the oldest interdenominational Bible College in Australia. It was established in April 1916 by Reverend C Benson Barnett, a returned missionary of the China Inland Mission (now known as OMF). His mission was to train people for Christian service in Australia and overseas. Without exception, God’s provision through the prayers and amazing generosity of His people has enabled the College to prepare students for gospel service at home and overseas for nearly 100 years.
Milestones
| 1916 |
Sydney Missionary and Bible College established (in a leased building) at 43 Badminton Road Croydon by Reverend C Benson Barnett. Students from Adelaide, Victoria, Queensland, Sydney and New Zealand commenced study. Ben Corbett was the first student to be accepted into the College along with nine other men. The story of those early days (as recorded in Benson Barnett’s prayer diary) is a moving account of utter dependence on God and his provision. |
Extract from 'Memories of God’s Great Goodness '– by Charles Benson Barnett 30 November 1916
‘…not only are we a Bible College, but we are a Missionary College…we are taught by Christ, that we are to pray to the Lord of the Harvest that He will send forth labourers into His harvest field…’ ‘…had I sufficient confidence, in the God whom I had trusted, first for my own salvation, then for service in China in connection with the China Inland Mission,…to step out and start a work of Bible Training for Christian Service? I had no money, not even enough to take a ticket for myself and family to go to Sydney (from Adelaide), let alone live there. I had no ‘friends’ there…’ ‘…together the matter was laid before God by us as a family. Was it what God wanted and could such a thing be done, as to go to Sydney and start a home there, for the training of men in the Word of God for Christian service, by a man who had no money and no influence…’ ‘…where would students come from at such a time, even if such a place were started? It was a time of being cast upon God. He was all sufficient and we gave thanks then as we have since that we were shut up into Him alone. The memory is precious today…’
| 1926 | The leased building named ‘Ooma’ (now Benson Barnett House) was purchased for 2500 pounds. |
| 1927 | Electricity was connected and three women commenced study. |
| 1930 | Carlyon House at 29 Badminton Road was purchased. |
| 1946 | Airmans Memorial Hall (replaced by R.H.Gordon building, now the kitchen and dining hall) area donated in memory of Pilot Officer Murray A. Line. |
| 1967 | 27 Badminton Road purchased to house the Vice-Principal. |
| 1970 | Wallace House accommodation for single women opened. |
| 1984 | 47 Badminton Road purchased by the College. |
| 1990-97 | 31, 35, and 37 Badminton Road purchased by the College. |
| 1998 | Weekley building with new J.T.H. Kerr Library and lecture room facilities opened. This key facility was named after Colin and Joyce Weekley, who were involved in the ministry of SMBC for over 60 years. |
| 1999– 2004 | 33, 49, 51, and 53 Badminton Road purchased, as well as 30 Claremont Road, for faculty and student housing. |
| 2004 | Separate Administration Centre established on the College Campus. |
| 2005 | Pitt Wood House at Ashfield leased by the College as second campus |
| 2006 | 2 Badminton Road purchased by the College for an extra classroom. RHG becomes accommodation for single residential women. Wallace House becomes residential accommodation for single men |
| 2007 | Purchase of site at Croydon Park for an adjunct campus. |
| 2009 | New married student accommodation on the Croydon campus. |
| 2010 | Opening of the new Roberts-Dale adjunct campus |
| 2011 |
The Principal, Rev.David Cook, retires after serving at SMBC for 25 years. |
| 2012 |
Rev. Stuart Coulton is appointed as Principal. |
| 2013 |
SMBC Northern Beaches, as a new venue for part-time study, is launched. |
