Mesoporous SBA-15 was prepared by using P123 as a template. The precursor with the template was calcined in an inert atmosphere so that carbon films might be formed in pores of SBA-15 due to the decomposition of template. The SBA-15C thus formed contained 3% C and exhibited similar pore structures as the SBA-15. Both SBA-15 and SBA-15C were used to support 20% nickel (by weight) via impregnation. It was found that doping with carbon films enhanced the dispersion of supported nickel. However, calcination at high temperatures before the reduction had a negative effect on the dispersion of nickel. The un-calcined 20%Ni/SBA-15C after the reduction in H-2 at 673 K exhibited the highest dispersion of nickel (42%) and smallest average particle size of about 2.4 nm, in the catalysts studied in this work. It was also the most active catalyst for the hydrogenation of toluene to methyl cyclohexane. Conversion of toluene could be detected even at room temperature and atmospheric pressure for the catalyst in a fix-bed reactor, and 100% conversion of toluene was reached when temperature was raised to 358 K.