A historic Bible institute that trained African American ministers in Chattanooga before merging into UTC in 1969.
Zion College was established in 1949 by the Highland Park Baptist Church with a specific mission to train African American ministers and church workers. The institution operated as a Bible institute, serving an important educational role in the African American community during the mid-20th century. In 1964, the college was renamed Chattanooga City College, reflecting an evolution in its scope and identity.
In 1969, Zion College (then Chattanooga City College) merged with the University of Chattanooga to form the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), which became part of the University of Tennessee System. This merger marked the end of Zion College as an independent institution, though its legacy remains part of UTC's historical foundation.