The Old University of Chicago was the legal name given in 1890 to the University of Chicago's first incorporation. Between 1856 and 1886 this school, founded by Baptist church leaders, was simply referred to as the "University of Chicago". The name change was necessitated when the university's original campus was badly damaged in a fire and it was foreclosed on by its creditors. Rather than continue operations under its existing name, its trustees decided to change the name of the then University of Chicago to the "Old University of Chicago" and allow the establishment of a new legal entity that would once again be called the "University of Chicago."