About Dr. Bill Dowell

W. E. Dowell, Sr.

1914-2002

Dr. William E. Dowell served as pastor of High Street Fundamental Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri from 1941 to 1963. Under his leadership the church grew to an average attendance of 2,500 and telecast its morning services on local stations. In 1950, Dr. Dowell was elected President of the new Baptist Bible Fellowship and High Street became the first location of Baptist Bible College.

He left Springfield to pastor Jacksonville (Florida) Baptist Temple for five years then returned to serve as Executive Vice President of Baptist Bible College. In 1974, he became pastor of Baptist Temple while serving at BBC. He retired from the church in 1988 as Pastor Emeritus. After the death of Dr. G. B. Vick in November, 1975, Dr. Dowell became President of Baptist Bible College and served for nine years. From 1984 until his death in 2002, he served as Chancellor of BBC and in his honor the Trustees of the school named the field house (largest building on campus) after him.