San Francisco Theological Seminary

Last updated
San Francisco Theological Seminary
RedlandsGST-SFTS Style1 1815 WEB.png
Type Private seminary
Established1871 (1871)
Parent institution
University of Redlands
Religious affiliation
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Academic affiliations
University of Redlands; Graduate Theological Union; University of California, Berkeley
Students47 (FTE) [1]
Location,
U.S.

37°58′11″N122°33′56″W / 37.96972°N 122.56556°W / 37.96972; -122.56556 [2]
CampusSuburban, 14 acres (5.7 ha)
Website www.redlands.edu/study/schools-and-centers/gst/sfts/

The San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS) is a seminary in San Anselmo, California with historic ties to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). [4] SFTS became embedded in a new Graduate School of Theology of the University of Redlands in 2019. [5] It was founded by the Synod of California in 1871.

Contents

SFTS is a founding member of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, a large consortium of graduate schools and seminaries in the Bay Area. [6] Through this membership, students have access to the Flora Lamson Hewlett Library and enjoy many opportunities to learn from and engage with religious traditions outside of the Reformed tradition. Through the Graduate Theological Union, students have access to the classes and the libraries of the University of California, Berkeley [7] and, most recently, University of Redlands. [8]

History

San Francisco Theological Seminary Sfts hillside photo.jpg
San Francisco Theological Seminary

San Francisco pastor William Anderson Scott opened two Presbyterian schools in his churches in the third quarter of the 19th century, the second of which was the San Francisco Theological Seminary. In 1872, SFTS began with four professors and four students meeting for instruction at the Presbyterian City College and Calvary Presbyterian Church, located at what now is Union Square, and St. John's Presbyterian Church. Six years later, the seminary moved to its own building next to the City College building on Haight Street. [9]

The seminary moved in 1891 to a 14-acre (57,000 m2) hilltop site in Marin County about 15 miles (24 km) north of the Golden Gate Bridge. A new charter issued in 1900 gave the seminary power to grant degrees, and jurisdiction over the seminary was transferred from the synod to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1913. [10]

In the post World War II era under its president, Jesse Hays Baird, SFTS enjoyed unprecedented expansion, with enrollment increasing to more than 300 and new buildings rising all over the San Anselmo campus. SFTS joined in 1962 with neighboring graduate schools and academic centers in founding the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. The GTU developed joint M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in cooperation with the graduate school at the University of California Berkeley. [11]

In 1990, SFTS opened its second campus in Pasadena, which was housed in the Pasadena Presbyterian Church. Due to seminary budget cuts, the board of trustees voted to close the Pasadena campus in February 2011. [12] However, despite the announced closure, the seminary continued to consider alternative opportunities to expand their programs in Southern California.

In February 2019, SFTS announced its intention to become part of the University of Redlands, based in Southern California's Inland Empire region. [13] The merger was complete on July 1, 2019, and SFTS was embedded within a new Graduate School of Theology that carried SFTS programs forward and expanded opportunities for its students. [14]

In consequence of the merger, the PCUSA General Assembly's Committee on Theological Education (COTE) removed SFTS from its roster of Presbyterian Seminaries, and the Presbyterian Foundation withheld payments from a portion of SFTS endowment that it held in trust, on the grounds that the seminary no longer exists as an incorporated entity. [15] While SFTS maintained its commitment to Presbyterian 'theological education', the PC(USA) was unconvinced. “After six years, there is no requirement of any Presbyterians on the UR Board, and after five years the proceeds from any sale of former SFTS assets may be used as determined in the discretion of that board, who are fiduciaries for the University of Redlands and not for the former SFTS. In short, COTE is concerned that the distinguished legacy of the former SFTS could disappear after five years.”. [16] The co-moderators of the 224th General Assembly appointed a mediator, and after a year of negotiation, COTE, SFTS, and the University of Redlands agreed to a covenant "reaffirming SFTS as a Presbyterian theological seminary related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)". [17] COTE presented the covenant to the 225th General Assembly of the PCUSA in July 2022, and the Assembly, upon COTE's recommendation, approved the covenant without controversy, treating the covenant relationship as equivalent to an institutional relationship. [18]

Campus

The SFTS campus is now known as the University of Redlands, Marin Campus, which is also home to the UR School of Business & Society. [19]

Academics

San Francisco Theological Seminary degree programs include the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Arts (MA), and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.). The seminary also offers graduate-level diplomas and certificate programs. In conjunction with the Graduate Theological Union and the University of California Berkeley, students can also earn a Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Students also have access to professional certificate programs in the University of Redlands School of Continuing Studies.

Academic affiliations

Notable alumni

Notable faculty members

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References

  1. "San Francisco Theological Seminary | the Association of Theological Schools".
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: San Francisco Theological Seminary
  3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: San Francisco Theological Seminary
  4. "History". San Francisco Theological Seminary. University of Redlands. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  5. "Two become one, and stronger together". Bulldog Blog. University of Redlands. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  6. "History of the Graduate Theological Union". Graduate Theological Union. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  7. "Schools and Centers". Graduate Theological Union. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  8. "Pathways to Possibility". SFTS. SFTS at the University of Redlands. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  9. "History". San Francisco Theological Seminary. University of Redlands. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  10. "History". San Francisco Theological Seminary. University of Redlands. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  11. "History". San Francisco Theological Seminary. University of Redlands. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  12. "San Francisco seminary to close Pasadena campus". The Christian Century. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  13. Rodriguez, Adrian (27 February 2019). "San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo merges with Southern California-based University of Redlands". www.marinij.com. Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  14. "Two become one, and stronger together". Bulldog Blog. University of Redlands. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  15. "Debate over relationship between San Francisco Theological Seminary and the PC(USA) may rise at General Assembly". 9 June 2020.
  16. "PC(USA) Updates | University of Redlands".
  17. "Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - San Francisco Theological Seminary reaffirmed as Presbyterian institution". 4 January 2022.
  18. https://www.pc-biz.org/search/3000991 (§V.A.3.)
  19. https://www.redlands.edu/meet-redlands/regional-campus-locations/marin-campus/
  20. "Marin campus". University of Redlands. Retrieved 1 July 2019.