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But the Rev. Dr. William A. Passavant refused to give up that dream. He encouraged Louis and Barbara Thiel, both Lutheran laypeople, to make a gift of $4,000 toward the school that Dr. Passavant would later name "Thiel Hall." Thus was established "an educational institution of high order in connection with the Lutheran Church where the children of our church, and young men studying for the ministry, could obtain a thorough, classical education." Thiel opened its doors for the fall term of 1866 in Phillipsburg, which is now known as Monaca. By 1870, however, it was deemed advisable to relocate the Thiel campus. An offer of financial support, land, and buildings by the Greenville Citizen's Committee persuaded the Thiel Board to accept the generous offer. Dr. Passavant, however, agreed to the move only after a commitment by the Committee that Thiel would remain "an institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and carry on its spirit." Thiel College has grown and developed from its simple beginnings some 136 years ago, but its central mission remains consistent with Dr. Passavant's vision: to provide a values?based education in the Lutheran tradition in the liberal arts, sciences and professional studies with relevance for a lifetime.
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In 1866, a dream began to come true for Lutherans in the region. For many years, the leaders of the Lutheran Church had hoped for an institution of higher learning that could serve the western Pennsylvania region. However, previous attempts to found a faith?based institution for their young people ad failed. 
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