Sarum College
Encyclopedia
Sarum College is an ecumenical Christian institution in Salisbury
, England. The College was established in 1995, and occupies the buildings formerly home to the Salisbury and Wells Theological College. It sits within the Cathedral Close
, on the north side of Salisbury Cathedral
.
The Sarum College education programme ranges from short courses to postgraduate level, including certificates, diplomas and masters degrees course in Christian Spirituality, Theology, Imagination and Culture, Christian Liturgy and Christian Approaches to Leadership.
The College has a specialist bookshop with an excellent collection of theological titles. It stocks the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) SCM titles as well as a wide selection of bibles, liturgy resources, church supplies, CDs, gifts and greeting cards. The onsite theological library holds a collection of more than 35,000 books and journals which is open to students and the general public.
The College is a meeting and conference centre for groups, organisations and businesses and welcomes individuals for private stays, including B&B, study breaks, sabbaticals and retreats.
in 1092. After Old Sarum was abandoned in favour of New Sarum (or Salisbury, as it came to be known) and the new Cathedral was built in the 1220s, several colleges were established.
There is a long-standing tradition that there was a medieval school of theology here on the site of no.19. It was at this time that Salisbury nearly became a university city to rival Oxford
and Cambridge
, but history took a different turn.
In the 1870s the College expanded, with the addition of a residential wing (the ‘Butterfield Wing’) to provide accommodation for students, and then of a Chapel. £4750 was donated by Mrs Sidney Lear, sister of the Archdeacon, for the new buildings. The extensions were designed by William Butterfield
, foremost church architect of his day, and best-known for Keble College, Oxford
. The Chapel was consecrated in 1881 – and although its style has been described by one architectural writer as ‘regrettable’ it is a much-loved building.
(1914–18), and a fine memorial in the Chapel records their names.
In 1937 further extensions were added – consisting of study bedrooms for students, a new Library (now the Common Room) – designed by William Randoll Blacking. These rooms are now known as the Baker Wing.
(1939–45) the College was taken over by the women of the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service
), and Queen Mary
paid them a visit. Apparently the creepers which covered the front of the building were hastily removed, as the old Queen did not like them!
merged, and the Wells students came to no.19 – subsequently the Salisbury & Wells Theological College. The arrival of new extra students required more space, and two extensions were built: a three storey block of flats and study bedrooms at the eastern end of the Butterfield building (the East Wing), and a new chapel, refectory and library were added at the northern end.
The buildings of Sarum College have a fascinating history, and record the changing uses to which this place has been put over the years.A lift was opened in 2005 to provide access to all floors for visitors with disabilities. In 2007 the College completed the refurbishment of the Attic bedrooms – formerly servants’ quarters, and now beautiful en-suite bedrooms for visitors. Further works began in July 2011 to upgrade the building infrastructure and convert standard bedrooms to en-suite.
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
, England. The College was established in 1995, and occupies the buildings formerly home to the Salisbury and Wells Theological College. It sits within the Cathedral Close
Cathedral Close
A cathedral close is an architectural term referring to the series of buildings that serve as appendages to a cathedral. These may include buildings housing diocesan offices, schools, free-standing chapels associated with the cathedral, and the houses of the bishop and other clergy associated with...
, on the north side of Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
.
The Sarum College education programme ranges from short courses to postgraduate level, including certificates, diplomas and masters degrees course in Christian Spirituality, Theology, Imagination and Culture, Christian Liturgy and Christian Approaches to Leadership.
The College has a specialist bookshop with an excellent collection of theological titles. It stocks the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) SCM titles as well as a wide selection of bibles, liturgy resources, church supplies, CDs, gifts and greeting cards. The onsite theological library holds a collection of more than 35,000 books and journals which is open to students and the general public.
The College is a meeting and conference centre for groups, organisations and businesses and welcomes individuals for private stays, including B&B, study breaks, sabbaticals and retreats.
History
The history of theological study begins with Saint Osmund and the completion of the first Cathedral at Old SarumOld Sarum
Old Sarum is the site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury, in England. The site contains evidence of human habitation as early as 3000 BC. Old Sarum is mentioned in some of the earliest records in the country...
in 1092. After Old Sarum was abandoned in favour of New Sarum (or Salisbury, as it came to be known) and the new Cathedral was built in the 1220s, several colleges were established.
There is a long-standing tradition that there was a medieval school of theology here on the site of no.19. It was at this time that Salisbury nearly became a university city to rival Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
and Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
, but history took a different turn.
Main building
The main building at the front of the site was built in 1677, and has long been attributed to Sir Christopher Wren for Francis Hill, a distinguished London Lawyer and Deputy Recorder for Salisbury. He chose a particularly striking site, at the north end of Bishop’s Walk, facing directly down to the Bishop’s Palace (now the Cathedral School). The house remained in the Hill family until the end of the 18th century.Theological college
Bishop Hamilton established the Theological College here in 1860 - buying the house (then no. 87) from Miss Charlotte Wyndham - and the first students arrived in January 1861.In the 1870s the College expanded, with the addition of a residential wing (the ‘Butterfield Wing’) to provide accommodation for students, and then of a Chapel. £4750 was donated by Mrs Sidney Lear, sister of the Archdeacon, for the new buildings. The extensions were designed by William Butterfield
William Butterfield
William Butterfield was a Gothic Revival architect and associated with the Oxford Movement . He is noted for his use of polychromy-Biography:...
, foremost church architect of his day, and best-known for Keble College, Oxford
Keble College, Oxford
Keble College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its main buildings are on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum and the University Parks. The college is bordered to the north by Keble Road, to the south by Museum Road, and to the west by Blackhall...
. The Chapel was consecrated in 1881 – and although its style has been described by one architectural writer as ‘regrettable’ it is a much-loved building.
World War I
Eight students of Salisbury Theological College were killed in the Great WarWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
(1914–18), and a fine memorial in the Chapel records their names.
In 1937 further extensions were added – consisting of study bedrooms for students, a new Library (now the Common Room) – designed by William Randoll Blacking. These rooms are now known as the Baker Wing.
World War II
During the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
(1939–45) the College was taken over by the women of the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service
Auxiliary Territorial Service
The Auxiliary Territorial Service was the women's branch of the British Army during the Second World War...
), and Queen Mary
Mary of Teck
Mary of Teck was the queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, as the wife of King-Emperor George V....
paid them a visit. Apparently the creepers which covered the front of the building were hastily removed, as the old Queen did not like them!
Merger
In October 1971 the two Theological Colleges of Salisbury and WellsWells Theological College
Wells Theological College began operation in 1840 within the Cathedral Close of Wells Cathedral. In 1971 it merged with Salisbury Theological College, the students moved to Salisbury, and the new institution became known as the Salisbury & Wells Theological College, now Sarum College.The official...
merged, and the Wells students came to no.19 – subsequently the Salisbury & Wells Theological College. The arrival of new extra students required more space, and two extensions were built: a three storey block of flats and study bedrooms at the eastern end of the Butterfield building (the East Wing), and a new chapel, refectory and library were added at the northern end.
Establishment of Sarum College
In 1994 the Salisbury & Wells College closed down, and the following year Sarum College was established to provide a place of ecumenical theological education – as well as a home for ministerial training through STETS (Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme).The buildings of Sarum College have a fascinating history, and record the changing uses to which this place has been put over the years.A lift was opened in 2005 to provide access to all floors for visitors with disabilities. In 2007 the College completed the refurbishment of the Attic bedrooms – formerly servants’ quarters, and now beautiful en-suite bedrooms for visitors. Further works began in July 2011 to upgrade the building infrastructure and convert standard bedrooms to en-suite.
Sarum College Vision Statement
Sarum College is an ecumenical centre for Christian study and research where our passion is learning that nourishes the human spirit.- Welcoming people of all faiths and none, we offer space and time for enquiring minds to grow in wisdom and courage.