Main fundraiser photo

Top O Hill Terrace

  O' Hill Terrace  
                                        Arlington, Texas  
                        

                          " Help Save The Tea Garden"

I am Vickie Bryant.  Although I was born in Ohio and married my High School sweetheart there, our path soon led to Arlington, Texas, for my husband to attend Bible Baptist Seminary.  David had found the Lord as a soldier and helicopter mechanic, and soon realized that his call to the Gospel ministry would necessitate Bible training.  His pastor recommended the Bible school begun by Dr. J. Frank Norris in Fort Worth.  As the school had grown, it had needed a larger facility and in a truly miraculous way, the Lord enabled the move to the former site of Top O' Hill Terrace, the most notorious gambling joint in the great state of Texas!  So our little family made the long journey south.  David began his Bible courses, working wherever he could to support us and pay the tuition.

After graduation from Bible Baptist Seminary, David was called to the pastorate, beginning in the oil fields of West Texas in Crane, 32 miles south of Odessa.  After five years there at Tabernacle Baptist Church, the call came to a much larger congregation in Wichita Falls, Bible Baptist Church, where we served for 16 years.  I was content to be a Pastor's wife and also worked in the Christian School.   My husband is an excellent preacher and administrator, so when the Seminary, now Arlington Baptist College, was in need of a President on the retirement of Dr. Wayne Martin, we answered the call and moved our family to Arlington.

My husband's schedule kept him busy; when a position running the College bookstore opened, I accepted it.  As I organized the bookstore and began to look through all the accumulation of information about the school's early days, particularly the fascinating story of the transformation from gambling den to Bible college, I became increasingly convinced that my new goal should be to make known this amazing story.  Rushing to my  husband's office, I told him, not knowing how he would accept my new focus.  I am thankful that he agreed with me.  For the 12 years, I have researched, studied, amassed information, photographs and personal interviews for this task.  The Top O' Hill Tour is now one of the top places to visit in the Metroplex!

Many people have visited the campus and heard the story, seen the remains of the tunnel, viewed the artifacts in our museum and have been thrilled with the true stories provided.  Now, however, we are facing a tremendous problem - the hillside to the west is crumbling and receding, partially due to weather and passage of years, in part caused by construction of the neighborhood down below.  Our tea garden and the walkway which was an escape route for fleeing patrons of the Casino are in danger of being lost completely!  

The Bible College does not have the funds for the repairs needed.  Several independent entities have offered help some, but a real rescue is needed, immediately, if not sooner!  Our story is one that should be told.  It is inspirational to all who have heard it.  We have kept entrance fees extremely low to enable all who wish to attend to be able to do so.  Our only hope now is for someone to step forward who is willing and able to save the hillside, and thus, our visible links to the historical events that occurred in Arlington.  I am personally extremely hopeful that this need can be met.  No other location in the state has such a vivid past and incomparable tale of transformation!

                                      Top O' Hill Terrace

Organizer

Vickie Henry Bryant
Organizer
Arlington, TX
ARLINGTON BAPTIST COLLEGE
 
Registered nonprofit
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