Erskine College & Theological Seminary
Overview
Erskine College was born
out of the Clark and Erskine Seminary, which was established in 1836 by
the Associate Reformed Synod of the South, today known as the General
Synod. The General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
had once before attempted to open a theological seminary before Erskine
College when, in 1822, it appointed two pastors to provide theological
training for ministerial candidates. After one of the professors died
and the other decided to leave, the Synod created the Clark and Erskine
Seminary in 1836 and recruited a professor of divinity the following
year, serving as the foundation for Erskine College. The Seminary was
reorganized with an expanded faculty in 1839, establishing a four-year
denominational college that became known as Erskine College around 1843.
In 1858, the two institutions separated, yet continued to operate under
the same Board of Trustees until Erskine College combined resources
with the Seminary once again in 1926. Today, the Erskine Theological
Seminary continues to operate as the professional school of Erskine
College. Providing an environment where Christ is at the center of every
activity, Erskine College provides a superior liberal arts education
that synthesizes learning with biblical truths. At Erskine College,
students study language, literature, arts, science, technology,
mathematics, and world history. Students at Erskine College are provided
with the foundations to approach life critically, yet with enlightened
hearts and minds, in the pursuit of lifelong leaning. The Erskine
Theological Seminary provides graduate-level work to prepare individuals
for a life of service to the church and the community. Although founded
by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Erskine Theological
Seminary supports all members of the Christian Church in their study of
divinity, theology, ministry, and church music through the awarding of
certificates, Master’s degrees, and doctorates.
