TCU’s church connection is a genuine plus, an ongoing reminder that the University has a dimension that impacts the search for purpose in life.

The story of the church connection emerges from the larger saga of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a religious movement born on the American frontier in the early 19th century. Rooted in Jeffersonian democracy and the belief that people should be able to read the Bible for themselves and make decisions about their faith, the movement grew rapidly. With its emphasis on education, one of its hallmarks was the founding of schools.

Burdened by low enrollments and financial strains, many of these schools did not survive. TCU was one of the fortunate ones. Christian Church ministers Addison and Randolph Clark launched AddRan Male and Female College in Thorp Spring in fall 1873. In 1895 the school moved to Waco, where it became Texas Christian University. It arrived in Fort Worth in 1910.

TCU was closely linked to the church then. In fact, inscribed in the cornerstone of Reed Hall, the former Administration Building, are the words “Dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ in Christian education.” All of the trustees belonged to the Christian Church. (Through the years, the percentage has gone down. The mandated minimum today is one-sixth. Today 16 of 51 Trustees are members.)

A number of the early schools have dissolved their church connections. Others have kept the tie but in name only, an almost-forgotten part of their early history. TCU, on the other hand, has intentionally maintained its church relationship. In 1977 TCU and the church entered into a 12-point agreement whereby each agrees to support the other.

To be sure, a church relationship can be tricky for a university. For one thing, the word “Christian” requires interpretation by potential parents and prospective students who don’t understand the historical connection. Moreover, concerns about academic freedom sometimes arise, as in: How tight is the tie to the church? and What kind of church are we talking about?

On both counts TCU benefits, as it and the Christian Church are a great fit. The Disciples are a congregationally governed denomination that has neither an interest in nor the ability to run a university. This cooperative, covenant-based relationship is appropriate and works well. A school could not ask for a better partner than one that believes in the God-given goodness of people, values the whole person, puts a premium on education and seeks to create unity among diverse groups.

When families examine the universities their children might attend, TCU’s church relationship offers an advantage. It sends a message that TCU provides a safe, healthy environment and is concerned about the well-being of its students, that each one is special, each one matters.

In a larger sense, the church connection says that TCU seeks to offer education at its best, to deal with the whole person. It says we are here to do more than prepare individuals for the workplace. We have the opportunity to help students find meaning in their lives.
TCU, by its very nature, is able to do just that.

Our Church Relationship

As the largest of 18 schools or universities associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), TCU is committed to the highest standards of scholarship, encourages reflection on meaning and personal values and embraces both faith and reason without espousing any particular dogma or religious philosophy.

Who are the Disciples?

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a Protestant community that began in the United States two centuries ago. Coming largely from Presbyterian parentage, Disciples bear many similarities to the faith and practice of traditional Christian communities.
Distinctive characteristics include believer’s baptism, weekly communion, a commitment to the unity of all Christians and to the dialogue between faith and reason. A reforming impulse leads to ongoing re-examination of personal and corporate faith commitments.

Disciples are profoundly committed to social justice and to honoring the dignity of all persons, as well as to constructive dialogue across all faith communities and traditions.