The Evangelical College of Theology came into being as a result of at least ten years of prayer and conversation among evangelical church leaders. It was recognized that one of the acute needs of the church in West Africa was trained leadership. The prolonged discussion led to the consensus that an independent Bible college, intended in the first instance for those who had completed at least Form III, and located in Freetown or its vicinity, would best meet the needs of the church. The search for land led to the Jui Peninsula near Hastings (12 miles from the center of Freetown). The college leased from government a 27-acre portion of a former British RAF Base with some buildings already standing. The first official meeting of the Board of Governors took place in December 1963 and renovations of the buildings began in January 1964 with funds given by Christians from overseas. The college opened in September 1964 as the Sierra Leone Bible College with Rev Warren Woolsey as the first Principal. The college continued to operate under the name Sierra Leone Bible College until in 1999 when the Board of Governors changed it to The Evangelical College of Theology.

From 1964 to 1987, the college offered programs on two levels, Certificate and Diploma, graduating over 150 students who are now serving far and wide as heads of churches, pastors, chaplains, teachers, and in other various capacities. There was, however the felt need and possibility of a degree program in the late 1970s. in a series of eight board and committee meetings, between May 1983 and December 1984, active plans were set in motion. The last student in the Certificate in Pastoral Training program graduated in June 1987. This level of training is carried on by sister institutions. On 8^th September 1987, the degree programme commenced on as the registration of first eight students and seven of these were awarded the Bachelor of Theology degree on 30^th June 1991.