The Baptist Student Center at Southeast Missouri State University originated as the Southeast Missouri Baptist Foundation on May 25, 1939. The Foundation’s mission was to provide spiritual guidance and offer courses in Christian education to Southeast Missouri State College students. Dr. S.D. Aubuchon was named Dean of the Foundation, serving from August, 1939, until January, 1952. The Foundation held its first classes in the basement of First Baptist Church at 926 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. Subjects for the first classes were Christian ethics, religious education, and comparative religions.

The Foundation relocated to a property it purchased 917 Normal in 1942. Three years later it purchased a second building at 465 North Pacific St. that fulfilled its growing needs and an addition was made to the building in 1949. The Missouri Baptist General Convention absorbed the Southeast Missouri Baptist Foundation, including its property and debt obligations in 1951, and changed the Foundation’s name to the Baptist Center and Chair of Bible the next year. Dr. Thomas Messer succeeded Dr. Aubuchon under a new title, Professor at the Chair of Bible and Student Center, from April, 1952, until December, 1988.

The Baptist Student Union (BSU) is a student organization that provides social opportunities for college students who belong to Southern Baptist Churches or who identify with the denomination. The Southeast Missouri State University chapter was established on February 10, 1930. Though a separate organization, the BSU used the Center’s facilities to hold activities and both Drs. Aubuchon and Messer served as faculty advisor to the group.