Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg facts for kids
The 1832 Old Dorm (now Schmucker Hall) was used as the "Seminary Hotel" for dignitaries at the 50th battle anniversary. A May 1914 colonial portico was added to commemorate the reunion [1]
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| Type | seminary |
|---|---|
| Active | 1826–2017 |
| Affiliation | Washington Theological Consortium |
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Religious affiliation
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
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Academic staff
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10 |
| Postgraduates | 113 |
| Location |
,
,
39°49′54″N 77°14′40″W / 39.83162°N 77.24433°W |
| Website | http://unitedlutheranseminary.edu/ |
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (also known as Gettysburg Seminary) was a special school for training pastors in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Founded in 1826, it was the oldest Lutheran seminary in the United States that was still running. It closed on July 1, 2017, when it joined with another school to form the United Lutheran Seminary.
Gettysburg Seminary was a leader in religious education. It was the first Lutheran seminary to have a teacher for Christian Education (in 1926). It also had the first teacher for sociology and psychology (in 1942). In 1945, it gave a permanent teaching job to a woman, Bertha Paulssen.
The seminary also made history by graduating Elizabeth Platz in 1965. She was the first woman to be ordained (become a pastor) in an American Lutheran church in 1970. In 1835, it was the first Lutheran seminary to accept an African American student, Daniel Alexander Payne.
During the battle of Gettysburg, the seminary building was very important. It stood on a hill called 'Seminary Ridge'. This ridge became a key battle line for the Confederate army on July 2 and 3, 1863.
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History of Gettysburg Seminary
The idea for a seminary began in 1820. The General Synod of the Lutheran Church wanted to create schools to train future pastors. Samuel Simon Schmucker, a pastor, worked hard to make this happen. He even started teaching students at his home.
In 1825, church leaders decided to create a seminary. They met in March 1826 to choose a location. They picked Gettysburg, and the "Gettysburg Theological Seminary" officially opened on August 1, 1826.
Schmucker became the first professor. The seminary started with eight students on September 5, 1826. They first met in an old academy building. In 1832, the seminary moved to its own building on the ridge, which is now called Schmucker Hall. This building gave its name to Seminary Ridge.
For many years, the seminary had "faculty chairmen" instead of presidents. The first official president, John Alden Singmaster, was named in 1906.
During World War II, the seminary helped with local apple harvests. Later, German prisoners of war helped with farm work.
The Seminary's Role in the Battle of Gettysburg
The seminary building played a big part on July 1, 1863, the first day of the battle. From its high lookout tower (called a cupola), Union General John Buford watched the battle begin. He also saw Union troops arriving to help.
Later that day, Union soldiers were pushed back to Seminary Ridge by Confederate forces. Before they could set up strong defenses, another Confederate attack broke their line. The Union troops had to retreat through the town of Gettysburg. The famous Iron Brigade fought bravely to slow down the Confederates and protect the retreating soldiers.
The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia then took over the seminary grounds. They held this area until they retreated on July 4, 1863.
There was no more fighting on the seminary grounds after the first day. However, the seminary building became a hospital for wounded soldiers from both armies. It was used as a hospital during and after the battle. Cannons were also placed on the hill. They fired at Union cannons on other nearby hills on July 2 and 3.
Confederate soldiers also searched the house of seminary President Schmucker. He was known for being against slavery. Confederate troops also used the seminary's cupola as a lookout point.
Today, you can find many markers and monuments along the main road of the seminary, called Seminary Ridge.
Changes to the Campus After the Battle
After the Civil War, the seminary campus continued to grow. In 1868, some land was sold for a railroad line. By 1889, the seminary had a fourth professor.
In 1896, the seminary had two main academic buildings, four houses for professors, and a hospital. It covered about 38 acres of land.
The Church of the Abiding Presence, a chapel, was built between 1940 and 1942. Around 1960, the seminary bought a nearby house. In 1961, the Adams County Historical Society moved into Schmucker Hall, the seminary's first building. This old building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Merger of the Seminaries
In January 2016, the seminary's leaders announced they would join with the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. This merger happened on July 1, 2017. The two schools combined to create a new institution called United Lutheran Seminary.
Notable People Who Studied Here
- Cornelius L. Keedy (1834–1911), a pastor, doctor, and school leader.
- William Morton Reynolds (1812–1876), a minister, college president, and translator.
- Elizabeth Platz, the first Lutheran woman to become a pastor in the United States (in 1970). She served as a campus pastor at the University of Maryland for her entire career.
