Arlington Baptist College is an old, independent Baptist Bible College located in Arlington, Texas. The college, which traces its roots to 1925, was formally chartered in 1939. The idea of the college began in 1925, with a concept of a Bible Institute in Dallas. Although this institute did not materialize, the Fundamental Bible Institute was formed in 1927, under the leadership of Dr. J. Frank Norris, who was a pastor of the First Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. The institute offered bible courses through radio and correspondence. After four years, Dr. Norris announced the formation of the Pre-Millennial Bible Conference/Southwestern Pre-Millennial Bible School, conducting two sessions a year. In March 1939, the institute was chartered and expanded its curriculum from the Bible conferences, to eight months plus a two-month summer term. Under the leadership of Dr. Earl K. Oldham, its former president, the institute relocated to its present location in Arlington in 1955. He raised the status of the institute to a four-year undergraduate institution, changing the name to Arlington Baptist College. The college achieved fully accredited candidate status with the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges in 1977. The college, which sits on 35 acres in west Arlington, offers bible courses, general courses, and church ministry, and awards bachelor's degrees in science and arts. In addition to the general curriculum, the college provides an opportunity for the student to participate in practical application of the classroom experience at the local church level through the Christian service program. The Earl K. Oldham Library at the college, holds collections in a wide variety of subjects. Arlington Baptist College is accredited and supported by a number of institutions. They are the Association for Biblical Higher Education, the World Baptist Fellowship, the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers, and the Coordinating Board, Texas College and University System.