Virginia Theological Seminary facts for kids
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| Type | Private seminary |
|---|---|
| Established | 1823 |
| Affiliation | Episcopal Church |
| President | Ian Markham |
| Dean | Ian Markham |
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Academic staff
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17 full-time faculty and numerous adjunct professors |
| Students | 216 |
| Location |
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38°49′12″N 77°05′32″W / 38.82000°N 77.09222°W |
| Campus | Suburban |
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Virginia Theological Seminary
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 Location in Alexandria
Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| NRHP reference No. | 80004166 |
| Designated NHL | May 16, 1978 |
The Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) is a special school in Alexandria, Virginia. It is the largest and second oldest accredited Episcopal seminary in the United States. A seminary is a school where people study to become religious leaders, like priests or ministers.
VTS was started in 1823. It sits on a large campus of about 80 acres in Alexandria. This area is close to Washington, D.C. Many people who have studied at VTS have become important leaders in the Episcopal Church and other Christian groups.
VTS is part of the Washington Theological Consortium. Since 1938, it has been an approved school by the Association of Theological Schools. This means it meets high standards for religious education.
Contents
History of VTS
How the Seminary Started
The Virginia Theological Seminary began in 1823. A small group of people, led by William Holland Wilmer, wanted to train new church leaders. This was important after the American Revolutionary War, when the country was still very new.
One important person in this group was Francis Scott Key, who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner." This group worked with St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Alexandria. In 1818, they formed a group to help young men study for the ministry.
At first, some people wanted the seminary to be in Williamsburg, Virginia. But after more discussions and a generous offer of funding from Congressman Hugh Nelson, Alexandria was chosen. Wilmer also offered space at St. Paul's Church to start.
The seminary officially opened in 1823. It had two teachers and 14 students. The first professor was Reuel Keith. William Wilmer also taught there for a few years. VTS was known for focusing on preaching and simpler worship styles. It also encouraged students to start missionary work.
Growing and the Civil War
In 1827, VTS moved to a new location outside Alexandria. New buildings were constructed for the school. The first library was finished in 1855, and St. George's Hall in 1856. Aspinwall Hall, a beautiful building with a unique design, was completed in 1859. These historic buildings are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
During the American Civil War, from 1862 to 1865, the Union Army took over the seminary buildings. They used them as a military hospital. After the war, the seminary reopened. Two professors and 11 students, who were veterans, returned to study. The campus had been used to care for 1,700 wounded soldiers.
Becoming More Inclusive
In 1951, John T. Walker, who later became a bishop, was the first African-American student to join the seminary. This was an important step towards making the school more diverse.
On June 3, 1953, Virginia Theological Seminary joined with the Bishop Payne Divinity School. Bishop Payne Divinity School was an institution for African-American students. It had been started by Virginia Seminary in Petersburg, Virginia, in 1878. This merger helped create a stronger, more unified school.
Addressing Past Injustices
In 2019, the leaders of VTS announced a special fund. This fund was created to help the descendants of enslaved people who worked on the campus. It also helps Black students and worshipers who faced unfair treatment in the past. This fund is called a "reparations fund."
In 2021, the seminary started giving payments from this fund. People who received payments get about $2,100 each year. This action shows the seminary's commitment to addressing its history and promoting fairness.
What VTS Aims to Do
The main goal of VTS is to prepare men and women for leadership in the church. This includes both religious leaders and people who serve in other ways. The seminary focuses on prayer, worship, and community life. It also teaches students how to preach, teach, care for others, and work for social justice.
VTS wants its students to become servants of Jesus Christ. They should help other people find their calling and serve in the world. The seminary also offers ongoing education for religious leaders and church members from many different Christian groups.
The school believes that studying to become a religious leader usually means studying full-time. It also believes that learning is better when it includes people from different cultures and countries.
What Students Study
Degree Programs Offered
VTS offers several programs for students who want to become religious leaders or study theology:
- The Master in Divinity (M.Div.) is a three-year program. It is for people who want to become priests or ministers. Students learn about the Bible, church history, worship, and how faith connects with society.
- The Master of Arts (MA) program lets students focus on areas like theological studies or biblical interpretation.
- The Anglican Studies program is for students who already have a religious degree from another school. It helps them prepare for leadership in the Episcopal Church.
- The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) programs help experienced religious leaders grow their skills.
- Students can also take classes without working towards a degree.
Teachers at VTS
Ian Markham is the current Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary. He is the 14th person to hold this important leadership role. The seminary has many full-time and part-time teachers who guide the students.
Who Studies Here?
In 2012, there were 227 students at VTS.
- The average age for M.Div. students was 34.
- About 48 percent of students were married.
- The student body was almost evenly split between men and women.
- There were also students from other countries.
Campus Life and Buildings
The VTS campus has historic buildings like Aspinwall Hall. Since the 1950s, many new buildings have been added. These include dormitories for students, a dining hall, and faculty homes. There is even a day-care center for students with young children. The Addison Academic Center, opened in 1993, has classrooms, an auditorium, a bookstore, and a student lounge.
Immanuel Chapel
The first chapel at the seminary was damaged during the Civil War. A new chapel, Immanuel Chapel, was built in 1881. It had a beautiful Gothic Revival design.
On October 22, 2010, a fire destroyed this historic chapel. Luckily, no other buildings were harmed, and no one was injured. Some stained glass windows were lost, but important items like the pulpit and baptismal font were saved. The damage was estimated at $2.5 million. Investigators found that the fire was an accident.
After the fire, the old chapel's foundations were kept. They now form an open-air chapel garden. A new Immanuel Chapel was built nearby. It was dedicated in 2015 by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, also spoke at the service. The new chapel includes items saved from the fire and special bells.
The Library
The Bishop Payne Library is the seminary's library. It is named after the Bishop Payne Divinity School. The library has over 225,000 books and journals, plus many e-books. It has special collections on topics like the Bible, church history, and church music.
The library also hosts the African American Episcopal Historical Collection. This collection helps document the history of African-American Episcopalians in the United States.
Notable Alumni
Many people who studied at VTS have become important leaders. They have served in the Episcopal Church in the United States and helped with missionary work around the world. Here are a few examples:
- William Boone (1811–1864) was a missionary bishop in Shanghai, China.
- John Payne (1815–1874) was a missionary bishop in Liberia, Africa.
- Channing Moore Williams (1829–1910) was a missionary bishop in China and Japan. He helped start the Anglican Church in Japan and founded Rikkyo University.
- Lindel Tsen (1885–1954) was the first Chinese Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Church in China.
See also
