Olivet traces its roots to 1907 when a group of families in East-Central Illinois
started a school to provide a Christian education for their children. Classes
were first held in z house in Georgetown, Illinois.In 1908 the school's founders acquired several acres in the village of Olivet. On this
land they build a small simple building. In 1909 the liberal arts college was started and
the school was giving the name "Illinois Holiness University". The school was given to The Church of the Nazarene in 1912. The school was renamed Olivet College in 1915.The economic solvency of the school became a problem in th 1920's and the trustees were forced to declare bankruptcy in
1926. The school's treasurer Dr. T. W. Willingham purchased the school back at an auction
and was elected president.In 1938 the main building on campus was destroyed by fire. This prompted the school to
look for a new location. The current campus was purchased in 1939 and the school moved in
the Summer of 1940. The present campus was previously the location of St. Viator’s
College from 1868 until it closed in 1938. With the move the school's name was changed to
Olivet Nazarene College.The school grew rapidly from 1946 until 1975 with
over twenty major building being built during this time.The school's name was changed again in 1986 to Olivet Nazarene University.