Virginia Theological Seminary

Virginia Theological Seminary
Type	Private seminary
Established	1823; 201 years ago
Affiliation	Episcopal Church
President	Ian Markham
Dean	Ian Markham
Academic staff	21 full-time faculty and numerous adjunct professors
Students	168
Location	Alexandria, Virginia, United States; 38°49′12″N 77°05′32″W / 38.82000°N 77.09222°W
Campus	Suburban
Website	vts.edu
	Virginia Theological Seminary
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
	U.S. National Historic Landmark
	Location in Virginia Virginia Theological Seminary (Northern Virginia) Virginia Theological Seminary (Virginia) Virginia Theological Seminary (the United States)
Coordinates	38°49′12″N 77°05′32″W / 38.82000°N 77.09222°W
NRHP reference No.	80004166
Designated NHL	May 16, 1978

Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS), formally called the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia,^[2] located at 3737 Seminary Road in Alexandria, Virginia is the largest and second oldest accredited Episcopal seminary in the United States.^[3]

Established in 1823, VTS is situated on an 80-acre (320,000 m²) suburban campus in Alexandria, Virginia, close to downtown Washington, DC and adjacent to the campus of Episcopal High School. The seminary's notable alumni have taken leadership roles in the Episcopal Church, other Christian denominations in the United States, and overseas.

VTS is a member of the Washington Theological Consortium^[4] and since 1938 has been an accredited member institution of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).^[1]

History

Foundation and Civil War years

The seminary's foundation in 1823 was the result of the efforts of small group, led by William Holland Wilmer, who committed themselves to the task of recruiting and training a new generation of church leaders following the Revolutionary War. Francis Scott Key was a prominent member of this group supported by the vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Alexandria, which in 1818 formed a "Society for the Education of Pious Young Men for the Ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Maryland and Virginia".

In 1821 the Virginia convention of the Episcopal Church pledged its support for the establishment of a regional seminary. Acquiescing to lobbying by the College of William and Mary since at least 1815,^[5] the Virginia convention recommended the seminary be located in Williamsburg, to involve the Diocese of North Carolina, as well as those men from the District of Columbia and Diocese of Maryland who had been working together through the Education Society. However, the convention of the Diocese of Maryland failed to concur. The committee appointed by the Virginia convention changed its mind about the proposed seminary's location and accepted Alexandria after Congressman Hugh Nelson arranged significant funding and Wilmer offered space and a lecture room at St. Paul's Church.

The seminary formally opened in 1823 with two instructors and 14 enrolled students. The Revd. Reuel Keith, a graduate of Middlebury College, Andover Seminary and a former rector of Bruton Parish Church, became the seminary's first elected professor in 1823.^[6] Wilmer also taught theology and church history from 1823 to 1826.^[7] In contrast with General Theological Seminary in New York City, VTS was for much of the 19th century associated with the more low-church or evangelical Episcopalian tradition. Emphasis was placed on preaching the plan of salvation, simpler worship styles and the development of student-led missionary initiatives.^[8]

Land provided in 1827 for the construction of a purpose built seminary campus prompted a move to hilltop site two and a half miles west of the growing city of Alexandria. The original library building was completed in 1855 and St. George's Hall in 1856. A private donation from two New York brothers, John and William Henry Aspinwall, enabled the construction and dedication of the landmark Italianate, Gothic Revival, Aspinwall Hall in October 1859.^[9] Aspinwall Hall and adjacent buildings of the period designed by Baltimore architect Norris Starkweather, are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

During the American Civil War from March 1862 to August 1865 the Union Army commandeered the seminary buildings and grounds for use as a military hospital. After the war, two professors and 11 veterans reopened the seminary on a campus that had been used to house 1,700 wounded Federal troops and to bury 500 soldiers.

Desegregation and merger with Bishop Payne Divinity School

In 1951 John T. Walker, later Bishop of Washington, became the first African-American student to enroll at the seminary. On June 3, 1953, Virginia Seminary merged with the Bishop Payne Divinity School, an African-American institution started by Virginia Seminary in Petersburg, Virginia, in 1878.^[10]

Reparations for slavery

In 2019, the seminary's leaders announced they were creating a $1.7 million (~$2 million in 2023) reparations fund to allocate money specifically for the descendants of the enslaved who worked on the campus, as well as for black seminarians and black worshipers who experienced discrimination.^[11] In February 2021, the reparations fund began disbursing payments to those descendants.^[12] Recipients of the payments would receive approximately $2,100 (~$2,361 in 2023) annually.^[12] As of May 2021, 15 people had received payments from the fund.^[12]

Mission

The seminary's stated mission is to form men and women for lay or ordained leadership and service in the ministry of the church.^[13] Out of its evangelical heritage and its missionary tradition, the seminary emphasizes the life of prayer, worship and community, the ministries of preaching, teaching, pastoral care and social justice. The seminary seeks to prepare its students as servants of Jesus Christ to equip the people of God for their vocation and ministry in the world. VTS also provides continuing theological education for clergy and laity of many Christian denominations.

The seminary maintains that theological education leading to ordination normally requires full-time study and full participation in its common life and worship. It also believes that theological education is greatly enhanced when it is done within an ecumenical, international and cross-cultural context.

Past Deans

William Sparrow (1868-1874)
Joseph Packard (1874-1896)
Cornelius Walker (1896-1898)
Angus Crawford (1898-1916)
Berryman Green (1916-1931)
Wallace Rollins (1931-1940)
Alexander C. Zabriskie (1940-1950)
Stanley Brown-Serman (1950-1952)
Felix Kloman (1952-1956)
Jesse M. Trotter (1956-1969)
G. Cecil Woods (1969-1982)
Richard Reid (1982-1994)
Martha Horne (1994-2007)
Ian Markham (2007-present)

Academics

Degree programs

The Master in Divinity (M.Div.) program is a three-year residential program designed for those in the ordination process in the Episcopal Church or the equivalent in other denominations. It provides a foundation in all theological areas: biblical studies, historical studies, ministerial studies, studies in Christian worship, studies in faith and society, and theological studies.
The Master of Arts (MA) program with concentration in Theological Studies, Christian Formation, Religion & Culture, or Biblical Interpretation.
The Anglican Studies program for those who seek ordination in The Episcopal Church but who have earned a theological degree from a seminary or divinity school of another denomination.
Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Ministry Development.
Doctor of Ministry in Educational Leadership.
Non-degree studies are also offered.

Faculty

Replacing Martha J. Horne, who served as dean and president from 1994 to 2007, Ian Markham currently serves as the 14th Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary.

Admissions

Total enrollment as of July 2012 was 227.^[14]

Median M.Div. student age: 34 (33 percent in their 20s)
Married: 48 percent
Men 52 / Women 48
International students: 8
Full-time faculty: 22
Adjunct faculty: 29
Field education associates: 50
Staff: 56

Campus

In addition to historic buildings such as Aspinwall Hall, 22 buildings have been added to the campus since the 1950s, including five dormitories, a refectory and Scott Lounge, 15 faculty homes, and a recreation building. Recognizing the needs of graduate students with young families a day-care center for young children has also been provided. In 1993, the Addison Academic Center opened with classroom space, the Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Auditorium, the seminary bookstore, and student lounge.

Chapel

The first seminary chapel was badly damaged during the Civil War and replaced in 1881 by Immanuel Chapel, a large Gothic Revival structure designed by architect Charles E. Cassell. On 22 October 2010, fire destroyed the historic building although no other part of the seminary was damaged and there were no injuries. Several of the stained glass windows were lost, including the Miriam window and the window behind the altar. The iconic words, "Go Ye Into All The World And Preach The Gospel", painted above the east window were also destroyed by the heat of the fire. The pulpit, the lectern and its Bible for readings during services, and the baptismal font, were not damaged by the fire.^[15]^[16] The damage was estimated at $2.5 million (~$3.41 million in 2023). An investigation by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Alexandria Fire Marshal's Office determined that the fire was of accidental nature.^[17]

After the fire the foundations and lower walls of the 1881 structure were secured and retained to form an open air chapel garden. Supported by a capital campaign the seminary's new Immanuel Chapel was built at an adjacent site. Consecrated by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Revd. Katharine Jefferts Schori, on 13 October 2015, the sermon at the service of consecration was preached by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.^[18] Designed by the architectural office of Robert A. M. Stern, the new chapel features items salvaged from the 2010 fire, a set of eight change ringing bells produced by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and a 2 manual and pedal 27 stop tracker action organ (Opus 70) from Taylor and Boody.^[19]

Library

The Bishop Payne Library, named after the Bishop Payne Divinity School, serves as the seminary's library. The collection numbers over 225,000 volumes of books and bound periodicals and 190,000 e-books. Specialist areas of focus include biblical studies, church history, theology, the Protestant Reformation, missions, liturgies and church music.^[20]

In partnership with the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, the Bishop Payne Library also hosts the African American Episcopal Historical Collection (AAEHC), documenting the history of the African-American Episcopalians in the United States.

Alumni

Alumni of VTS have served in prominent lay and ordained leadership roles in the Episcopal Church in the United States. Following the words the Great Commission many graduates have also contributed their skills to the development of missions in the wider Anglican Communion. Notable among this number:

William Boone, (1811–1864) missionary bishop to the Anglican diocese of Shanghai
John Payne, (1815–1874) missionary bishop to the Episcopal Church in Liberia
Channing Moore Williams (1829–1910) missionary bishop to China and Japan, leading figure in the establishment of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, (the Anglican Church in Japan) and founder of Rikkyo University
George Herbert Kinsolving (1849–1928) second bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Lindel Tsen (1885–1954) first and only Chinese Presiding Bishop of the Chung Hua Sheng Kung Hui

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "The Association of Theological Schools". The Commission on Accrediting. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
^ "Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia". An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians. Church Publishing Incorporated. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
^ "Seminary College, Episcopal Seminary School, Ministry - Welcome Center". www.vts.edu. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
^ "Member Institutions of the Washington Theological Consortium". Washington Theological Consortium. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
^ Goodwin, p. 76
^ Robbins, Glenn (2006). The Bishop of the Old South: The Ministry and Civil War Legacy of Leonidas Polk. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-88146-038-4.
^ "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church: Wilmer, William Holland". Church Publishing Incorporated. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
^ Robbins, Glenn (2006). The Bishop of the Old South: The Ministry and Civil War Legacy of Leonidas Polk. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-88146-038-4.
^ "Bishop Meade's Report". Journal of the Sixty-Fifth Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia: 22. May 16, 1860.
^ Prichard, Robert (2014). A History of the Episcopal Church (Third Revised ed.). New York: Morehouse Publishing. p. 300. ISBN 978-0-8192-2878-9.
^ Swarns, Rachel L. (September 12, 2019). "The Seminary Flourished on Slave Labor. Now It's Planning to Pay Reparations". The New York Times.
^ ^a ^b ^c Wright, Will (May 31, 2021). "Seminary Built on Slavery and Jim Crow Labor Has Begun Paying Reparations". The N`1ew York Times.
^ "Welcome Center". Virginia Theological Seminary. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
^ "VTS at a Glance". Virginia Theological Seminary. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
^ Local news report here.
^ Goodman, Christy and Weil, Martin. 'Traumatic' fire ravages historic seminary chapel in Alexandria. The Washington Post. Friday, October 22, 2010.
^ ATF News Release. Fire Investigators Determine Cause of Virginia Theological Seminary Church Fire. October 28, 2010.
^ "From the ashes: new chapel consecrated at Virginia Theological Seminary". Anglican Communion News Service. October 14, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
^ "Opus 70 Under Contract". Taylor and Boody. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
^ "Bishop Payne Library Collections". Virginia Theological Seminary. Retrieved October 28, 2015.

External links

Seminary home page

[ats.edu-1] "The Association of Theological Schools". The Commission on Accrediting. Retrieved October 25, 2015.

[2] "Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia". An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians. Church Publishing Incorporated. Retrieved August 20, 2009.

[3] "Seminary College, Episcopal Seminary School, Ministry - Welcome Center". www.vts.edu. Retrieved January 4, 2019.

[washtheo-4] "Member Institutions of the Washington Theological Consortium". Washington Theological Consortium. Retrieved August 20, 2009.

[5] Goodwin, p. 76

[6] Robbins, Glenn (2006). The Bishop of the Old South: The Ministry and Civil War Legacy of Leonidas Polk. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-88146-038-4.

[7] "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church: Wilmer, William Holland". Church Publishing Incorporated. Retrieved October 28, 2013.

[8] Robbins, Glenn (2006). The Bishop of the Old South: The Ministry and Civil War Legacy of Leonidas Polk. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-88146-038-4.

[9] "Bishop Meade's Report". Journal of the Sixty-Fifth Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia: 22. May 16, 1860.

[10] Prichard, Robert (2014). A History of the Episcopal Church (Third Revised ed.). New York: Morehouse Publishing. p. 300. ISBN 978-0-8192-2878-9.

[11] Swarns, Rachel L. (September 12, 2019). "The Seminary Flourished on Slave Labor. Now It's Planning to Pay Reparations". The New York Times.

[nyt-may2021-payments-12] Wright, Will (May 31, 2021). "Seminary Built on Slavery and Jim Crow Labor Has Begun Paying Reparations". The N`1ew York Times.

[13] "Welcome Center". Virginia Theological Seminary. Retrieved October 28, 2015.

[14] "VTS at a Glance". Virginia Theological Seminary. Retrieved July 21, 2012.

[15] Local news report here.

[16] Goodman, Christy and Weil, Martin. 'Traumatic' fire ravages historic seminary chapel in Alexandria. The Washington Post. Friday, October 22, 2010.

[17] ATF News Release. Fire Investigators Determine Cause of Virginia Theological Seminary Church Fire. October 28, 2010.

[18] "From the ashes: new chapel consecrated at Virginia Theological Seminary". Anglican Communion News Service. October 14, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.

[19] "Opus 70 Under Contract". Taylor and Boody. Retrieved October 28, 2015.

[20] "Bishop Payne Library Collections". Virginia Theological Seminary. Retrieved October 28, 2015.

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v t e Seminaries of the Episcopal Church
Independent residential	Nashotah House Virginia Theological Seminary School of Theology at the University of the South Seminary of the Southwest
Independent distance-based	Church Divinity School of the Pacific
Affiliated with a larger institution	Berkeley Divinity School (YDS) General Theological Seminary (VTS) Bexley Seabury Theological Seminary Federation (CTS)
Unaccredited	Episcopal Divinity School
Defunct	Bexley Hall DeLancey Divinity School Episcopal Theological Seminary in Kentucky Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Caribbean Matthews Hall Seabury-Western Theological Seminary
Disaffiliated	Trinity Anglican Seminary

v t e Alexandria, Virginia
Neighborhoods	Arlandria The Berg Carlyle Clover-College Park Del Ray Eisenhower East Hume Springs National Landing North Ridge Old Town Parker-Gray Parkfairfax Potomac Potomac Yard Rosemont Southwest Quadrant Alexandria West Cameron Station Landmark Lower Alexandria Seminary Hill West End
Historic Districts	Alexandria Historic District Rosemont Uptown–Parker–Gray
Landmarks	Alexandria City Hall John Carlyle House Christ Church Fort Ward Gadsby's Tavern Jones Point Jones Point Light Lee–Fendall House Little Theatre of Alexandria Torpedo Factory Art Center George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Government	Alexandria Fire Department Alexandria Police Department Alexandria City Jail
Education	Alexandria City Public Schools Francis C. Hammond MS George Washington MS Alexandria City HS Episcopal HS St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Virginia Theological Seminary Alexandria Library
This list is incomplete. See also: Template:South Alexandria (for areas of Fairfax County south of the Alexandria city limits with Alexandria postal addresses)

v t e Washington Theological Consortium
Members	Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius The Catholic University of America School of Theology and Religious Studies Howard University School of Divinity John Leland Center for Theological Studies Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies Reformed Theological Seminary–Washington D.C. Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University United Lutheran Seminary Virginia Theological Seminary Wesley Theological Seminary
Associate members	Paulist Fathers House of Mission and Studies Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation
Affiliate members	Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies
Educational institution	Museum of the Bible

v t e Colleges and universities in Virginia
Public	Christopher Newport University College of William & Mary Eastern Virginia Medical School George Mason University James Madison University Joint Forces Staff College Longwood University Marine Corps University Norfolk State University Old Dominion University Radford University Richard Bland College University of Mary Washington University of Virginia University of Virginia's College at Wise Virginia Commonwealth University VCU School of Dentistry VCU School of Education VCU College of Health Professions Virginia Community College System Virginia Military Institute Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University VT-WFU School Biomedical Engineering & Sciences Virginia State University Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Private	Appalachian College of Pharmacy Appalachian School of Law Art Institute of Virginia Beach Atlantic University Averett University Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Bluefield University Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing Bridgewater College Christendom College DeVry University Divine Mercy University Institute for the Psychological Sciences Eastern Mennonite University ECPI University Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Emory and Henry University Fairfax University of America Ferrum College George Washington University Virginia Campus Hampden–Sydney College Hampton University Hartland College Hollins University Jefferson College of Health Sciences John Leland Center for Theological Studies Liberty University University of Lynchburg Mary Baldwin University Marymount University Patrick Henry College Randolph College Randolph–Macon College Regent University Roanoke College Shenandoah University Southern Virginia University Sweet Briar College Union Presbyterian Seminary University of Management and Technology University of the Potomac University of Richmond Virginia Theological Seminary Virginia Union University Virginia University of Lynchburg Virginia Wesleyan University Washington and Lee University
Defunct	Art Institute of Washington Blackstone College for Girls Cordoba University Eastern College Elizabeth College Fauquier Institute Frederick College Gibbs College Marion College Richmond Professional Institute Saint Paul's College Stratford University Sullins College University of Northern Virginia Virginia Intermont College Westwood College
Complete list

v t e U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Virginia
Lists by county	Accomack Albemarle Alleghany Amelia Amherst Appomattox Arlington Augusta Bath Bedford Bland Botetourt Brunswick Buchanan Buckingham Campbell Caroline Carroll Charles City Charlotte Chesterfield Clarke Craig Culpeper Cumberland Dickenson Dinwiddie Essex Fairfax Fauquier Floyd Fluvanna Franklin Frederick Giles Gloucester Goochland Grayson Greene Greensville Halifax Hanover Henrico Henry Highland Isle Of Wight James City King and Queen King George King William Lancaster Lee Loudoun Louisa Lunenburg Madison Mathews Mecklenburg Middlesex Montgomery Nelson New Kent Northampton Northumberland Nottoway Orange Page Patrick Pittsylvania Powhatan Prince Edward Prince George Prince William Pulaski Rappahannock Richmond Roanoke Rockbridge Rockingham Russell Scott Shenandoah Smyth Southampton Spotsylvania Stafford Surry Sussex Tazewell Warren Washington Westmoreland Wise Wythe York
Lists by city	Alexandria Bristol Buena Vista Charlottesville Chesapeake Colonial Heights Covington Danville Emporia Fairfax Falls Church Franklin Fredericksburg Galax Hampton Harrisonburg Hopewell Lexington Lynchburg Manassas Manassas Park Martinsville Newport News Norfolk Norton Petersburg Poquoson (no listings) Portsmouth Radford Richmond Roanoke Salem Staunton Suffolk Virginia Beach Waynesboro Williamsburg Winchester
Other lists	Bridges National Historic Landmarks
Keeper of the Register History of the National Register of Historic Places Property types Historic district Contributing property