MacMurray College history

The first classes opened in the basement of the East Charge MEC (now Centenary UMC) in 1847 with a modest enrollment of 117, divided into preparatory and academic departments.

The first building, Main, was completed in 1850, which provided classroom space along with housing for Jaquess and the students.

In 1854, Jaquess discontinued the primary department to engage students in more challenging and expanded curriculum that included economics, political discourses and additional sciences.

In 1893, the College's fortune changed when the trustees chose Doctor Joseph Harker as the seventh president.

With successful capital campaigns conducted by the Methodist Episcopal Church and Doctor Harker, a large endowment was established and in 1909, the College granted baccalaureate degrees.

In 1913, as evidence of the improved curriculum elevating the College to a higher rank of academics, the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools granted accreditation.

In 1946, the College celebrated its centennial anniversary with week-long activities.

The First Hundred Years of MacMurray College, 1947.

Before McClelland retired in 1952, the College had gained a new chapel and library at the benevolence of Henry and Annie Merner Pfeiffer, and purchased a building for a college theatre which also housed a radio show.

The two coordinate colleges joined in 1969 to become the coeducational MacMurray College.

Burnette, Patricia B. James B. Jaquess: Scholar, Soldier and Private Agent for President Lincoln, 2013.

Croessmann, Allen W. "The Two Macs: Building a College in Turbulent Times," Illinois Heritage, July-August 2015.

In 2016, it was placed on probation for a two-year period by its accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, which cited "concerns related to governance, assessment of student learning, institutional resources, planning, and performance improvement."

In November 2020, the real property of the college was auctioned off in lots, with the $1,500,000 in sales going to pay down the college's debt.