Private Christian university in Chattanooga that merged with Piedmont International University in 2015.
Tennessee Temple University was founded in 1946 by Lee Roberson, pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, to train people for ministry through higher education. Beginning as an evening Bible institute, it evolved into a Bible college and liberal arts college with an added seminary. Under Roberson's leadership (1946–1983), the university became central to the Independent Baptist movement and inspired Jerry Falwell's founding of Liberty University. The institution's close relationship with Highland Park Baptist Church provided extensive ministry training opportunities for students.
Tennessee Temple experienced significant growth, reaching peak enrollment of over 4,000 students in the early 1980s. However, enrollment declined sharply to approximately 1,000 by 1991, and further to just over 400 students by September 2013. In February 2014, the university announced plans to sell its Highland Park campus buildings and relocate to Standifer Gap Road. On March 3, 2015, the institution announced its dissolution and merger with Piedmont International University, effective April 30, 2015.
The Tennessee Temple athletic teams were known as the Crusaders. The university competed in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports through the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I, primarily as an independent in the Mid-East Region. Men's sports included baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, and track & field; women's sports included basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track & field, and volleyball. The university also held memberships in NAIA (2006–07 to 2007–08) and USCAA (2013–14 to 2014–15).