Bishop Heber College

Bishop Heber College is a Christian educational institution in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. It was founded in 1966.

It traces its origin back to Christian Frederick Schwartz, the first German missionary, supported by the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge (S.P.C.K) in South India. He built a small school near the Rock Fort in Tiruchirappalli in 1762. It was renamed after Reginald Heber, the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, who came to Tiruchirappalli in 1826 and died on his way to Travancore. The Heber Memorial School became a full-fledged high school in 1864. In 1873 the School was raised to a Second Grade College and in 1882 it became a First Grade College. It was then known as S.P.G College. It was the first college to be established in Tiruchirappalli. It was merged with Madras Christian College (MCC), Tambaram, in 1934 as recommended by the Lindsay Commission on Christian Higher Education in India. It was revived like a phoenix on 24 June 1966.

Now, Bishop Heber College offers several undergraduate and graduate degrees including the doctorate level.

This college is known for its lush green environment and aesthetically designed buildings. Students use to refer the college as "Beauty Bishop". It has an attractive garden "Vasantham" and a magnificent College Chapel, "Tabernacle of Testimony".

The University Grants Commission, New Delhi and Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli granted Autonomy to the College during 2004-2005. The College was accredited with 5 stars by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) on 21 May 2001 and was reaccredited at the A+ Level on 31 March 2007. Also the college has been recognized by the University Grants Commission as "College with Potential for Excellence" on September 2011. In the Third Cycle of reaccreditation by NAAC, it has been accredited with 'A' Grade with a GPA points of 3.58/4 on 3rd March 2015.The College was awarded a coveted status as "College of Excellence" by UGC in 2017. It was ranked 4th in the nation just after Shri ram college of Commerce, Delhi among the top arts colleges in the country by the HRD Ministry of India on 4th April 2017.

Two Christian Endeavour Hostels (for economically needy Christians only), one for men and one for women function in Bishop Heber Campus. Every Sunday (except 3rd Sunday) the Christian Endeavour Society conducts "Heber Hive"(programme for Christian students) in Tabernacle of Testimony between 6pm and 7.30pm. "Fetters Free" and "Rejoice" are the two retreats conducted by the society. "Christmas Cheer" is another important function during the Christmas season. CE Society Staff Advisers for Bishop Heber College: Associate Professor Dr. Suresh Frederick (2004 - 2011); Assistant Professor Vinoth Isaac Peter (2011- 2016); Assistant Professor Dr. P. John Robinson (2016-till date).

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