United Lutheran Seminary facts for kids
| Established | 2017 |
|---|---|
|
Religious affiliation
|
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| President | R. Guy Erwin |
|
Academic staff
|
19 |
| Students | 226 (FTE) |
| Location | |
| Campus | Philadelphia and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania |
The United Lutheran Seminary is a special school in Pennsylvania. It has two main locations: one in Gettysburg and another in Philadelphia. This seminary is one of seven schools connected to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. At the seminary, students learn to become pastors and leaders for the church.
Contents
A Look Back: The Seminary's Story
The Gettysburg Campus: A Historic Beginning
The story of the Gettysburg campus began a long time ago. On September 5, 1826, the very first classes were held. This school is now the oldest Lutheran seminary in all of North and South America! It started with just eight students in the small town of Gettysburg.
In 1832, the school moved to Seminary Ridge. This spot overlooks Gettysburg. It then became known as the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg.
A very important event happened near the seminary in July 1863. The school's buildings and the land around them became part of the Battle of Gettysburg. This was a major battle during the American Civil War.
Today, the original seminary building, called Schmucker Hall, is a museum. It teaches visitors about the battle that happened there. It also shows how faith played a role in freedom during the 1800s. You can also learn about medical care during the Civil War. Schmucker Hall was the biggest field hospital in Gettysburg during the battle. A field hospital is a temporary place where injured soldiers are treated.
The Philadelphia Campus: A New Tradition
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia was started in 1864. It was founded by a group called the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. Their goal was to keep Lutheran beliefs strong. They also wanted to make sure people could still study and learn the German language.
This seminary first opened in the Center City area of Philadelphia. Later, in 1889, it moved to Mount Airy. This new location was also historic. It was where the first shots of the Battle of Germantown were fired. That battle happened about 100 years earlier during the American Revolution.
Coming Together: The Merger
The school we know today, United Lutheran Seminary, was formed on July 1, 2017. It was created by joining the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. The new United Lutheran Seminary continues under the original rules of the Gettysburg seminary.
The first president of the new seminary was Reverend Dr. Theresa F. Latini. She was chosen on April 20, 2017. She later left the position on March 14, 2018. After her, Reverend James Dunlop served as Acting President for a while. Then, on May 16, 2018, Dr. Richard Green was chosen as Interim President.
On June 9, 2020, the seminary board announced a new president. Reverend Dr. R. Guy Erwin was elected. Before this, Dr. Erwin was a bishop in the ELCA church. He is known for being the first Native American bishop in that church.
Important People and Connections
Influential Faculty and Students
Over the years, many important people have been part of these seminaries.
In 1835, the Gettysburg seminary welcomed Daniel Alexander Payne. He was one of the first African Americans to study theology in America. He later became a bishop in the AME Church. He also became the first president of Wilberforce University under the AME Church.
About 100 years after Daniel Payne, the Gettysburg seminary made history again. It was the first American Lutheran seminary to give a female professor, Dr. Bertha Paulssen, a permanent teaching position. In 1965, Elizabeth Platz graduated from the seminary. She later became the first woman to be ordained (officially recognized as a pastor) by a U.S. Lutheran church group in 1970.
After graduating from the Philadelphia Seminary, Franklin Clark Fry became a very important leader. He was elected president of the United Lutheran Church in America. He also led The Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches. On April 7, 1958, his picture was even on the cover of TIME magazine!
Special Awards and Honors
United Lutheran Seminary gives out special awards each year. These are for excellent writing and excellent preaching. They are given in honor of Frederick Buechner. He was a famous American author and a Presbyterian minister. Teachers at the seminary choose the winners for their great achievements in these areas. The seminary also often gives copies of Buechner's books to its students.
