Whitefield College of the Bible

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Whitefield College of the Bible
MottoEndued to Stand
TypeIndependent
Established1981
Affiliation Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster
President Ian Paisley
Principal Timothy Nelson
Location
Belfast
,
County Antrim
,
Northern Ireland
Colors    Navy and Red
Whitefield College of the Bible

Whitefield College of the Bible is an independent theological college located in Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland. [1] It is operated by the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. The college currently holds lectures in Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church in Belfast. The college has no association with any governmental education system and holds independent status. [2]

Contents

About the college

The college was named after the 18th century Christian Evangelist, George Whitefield. [3] A portrait of George Whitefield by Samuel McCausland was commissioned for the opening.

The college was formally opened on 3 October 1981 by Bob Jones, chancellor of Bob Jones University, South Carolina, United States, after receiving the key from the president of the college Reverend Ian Paisley. [4]

The college was situated at Lawrencetown House. The country house and estate of 30 acres was purchased and renovated at a cost of approximately £170,000. [5]

In 2016 Lawrencetown House was sold and lectures moved to the Jubilee Complex of the Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church.

In 2021, the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster announced they would construct a new purpose built campus in Tandragee, County Armagh. [6] Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council granted planning permission for the construction of the extension in 2023. [2] Construction commenced in November 2024.

Branches

Aside of the main campus being in Northern Ireland, Whitefield has branches of the college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States (formerly sharing the same name but was later renamed the Geneva Reformed Seminary) and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. [7]

Courses

Whitefield offers a 4-year course which is compulsory for entry into the ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. [1] It comprises

Whitefield also offers a 2-year basic course for Christian workers and those preparing for the mission field. It is the same as the above but without Hebrew language and systematic theology. [1] [3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bruce, Steve (2007). Paisley. Oxford University Press. pp. 145–146. ISBN   9780191535826.
  2. 1 2 McKenna, Micheal (1 July 2023). "Free Presbyterian Church given go-ahead to build Bible Training College in Tandragee". Armagh I. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  3. 1 2 Burden, Richard (22 April 2023). "Tandragee in line for Bible College". Ulster Gazette. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  4. ↑ "Opening Ceremony of Whitefield College of the Bible". SermonAudio. 3 October 1981. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  5. ↑ The Revivalist (Church Newsletter), November 1981
  6. ↑ McKenna, Micheal (19 November 2021). "Free Presbyterian Church aims to build new Bible Training College in Tandragee". Armagh I. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  7. ↑ Richardson, Norman (1998). A Tapestry of Beliefs: Christian Traditions in Northern Ireland. Blackstaff Press. p. 125. ISBN   9780856406331.

54°22′48″N6°19′44″W / 54.380°N 6.329°W / 54.380; -6.329

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