Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle was founded in 1944 as an extension of the Lutheran Bible Institute based in Minneapolis and became independent in 1959. The college initially provided a biblical studies education and enrichment courses and in the 1970s began to add bachelor's degree programs in biblical studies, global missions, Christian education, and youth ministry. LBI initially operated out of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in downtown Seattle. Growing enrollment led to relocating to a new campus on Seattle's Greenwood Avenue in 1949. In 1979, after a decade of sustained enrollment growth, the college purchased the former Providence Heights College campus in Issaquah, Washington, from the Sisters of Providence, with staff and students relocating to the new campus mid-school year. Shortly thereafter LBI sold a significant portion of their unused property on the south side of the school to a developer. LBI played a key role in the development of this property, transforming it into a thriving retirement community presently known as Providence Point in honor of the previous school. In 1982, LBI became regionally accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. LBI changed its name to Trinity Lutheran College in 1999 to reflect its status as an accredited four-year college. Trinity began to add new majors, including music and worship, early childhood education, business management, psychology, and communications. Enrollment began to decline in the 1990s and faced with financial uncertainty, the college decided to sell the Providence Heights campus and relocate again, moving to downtown Everett, Washington, in 2008, where it remained until the college closed in 2016.
2016 closure
On January 12, 2016, Rev. Dr. Kevin Bates released an open letter expressing a plan to end operation of the college. Academic instruction ceased on May 7, 2016, with more than 70 students receiving degrees at the final commencement ceremony. The college's supporting organization, the Trinity Education Foundation, still exists today, providing scholarship support to students attending private Christian colleges in the Pacific Northwest.
The Trinity Lutheran College Campus Center in Everett, Washington, opened for fall semester 2008 and was located at 2802 Wetmore Ave., at the corner of California St. and Wetmore Ave. The Campus Center had six floors devoted to classrooms, administrative offices, faculty offices, the library, a student store, and a commons area. A chapel and additional classroom space was added in 2014. The center was served by a parking garage connected via a skywalk. Student housing was provided in a nearby apartment complex and the YMCA, adjacent to the campus center, was available for student recreation use. After the college's closing, the campus center was sold to Funko to serve as their new corporate headquarters.
