Lincoln College's roots date back to the 19th century. It is the only college named for Abraham Lincoln while he was still living. The college was established in 1865 by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but is now independent and has no formal church affiliation. There were a few sites that were looked at as possibilities for the institution, prior to Lincoln, Ill., however, in December 1864, the City of Lincoln was chosen. Due to the Civil War, the denomination wanted to create a college in the north because the denomination's other schools were located in the south. At this same time a movement started in the new community of Lincoln to start a college.