Wesley House
Encyclopedia
Wesley House is a Methodist theological
college
(or seminary
) on Jesus Lane
in Cambridge
, England
. It was founded in 1921 as a base for training Methodist minister
s within the precincts of the University of Cambridge
. It is part of the Cambridge Theological Federation
.
.
The principal's house was completed in 1929, and the chapel, which contains paintings by Harold Speed
, in 1930. The buildings were designed by Maurice Webb. The chair of Systematics and Pastoral Theology was held by the first principal, Dr. H. Maldwyn Hughes, from 1921 to 1937. That of New Testament Language and Literature was held by the Revd Robert Newton Flew
from 1927 to 1937, when he succeeded Hughes both as principal and professor. One of the earliest students was Donald Soper
. Flew, principal from 1937 to 1955, was one of the moving forces behind the establishment of the World Council of Churches
. Another alumnus was Bolaji Idowu
, who headed the Methodist Church Nigeria
from 1972 to 1984.
The three-sided court fronted by iron gates and railings became enclosed in 1973 by a new building housing flats for married students and a lecture theatre.
The Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations (CJCR) and The Centre for the Study of Muslim-Jewish Relations (CMJR) are based at Wesley House. Also taking place there are MA courses in Pastoral Theology and BA courses in Christian Theology run by the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies. Wesley House is a member of the Cambridge Theological Federation
.
For more than 20 years Wesley House has worked in partnership with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa
and Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary there. Each year probationer ministers from South Africa visit the UK for a month, and each summer Wesley House students have an opportunity to visit South Africa and work in a township.
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
(or seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
) on Jesus Lane
Jesus Lane
Jesus Lane is a historical street in central Cambridge, England. The street links with the junction of Bridge Street and Sidney Street to the west. To the east is a roundabout. To the south is King Street, running parallel with Jesus Lane and linking at the roundabout. The road continues east as...
in 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...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was founded in 1921 as a base for training Methodist minister
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
s within the precincts of the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. It is part of the Cambridge Theological Federation
Cambridge Theological Federation
The Cambridge Theological Federation is an association of theological colleges, courses and houses, based in Cambridge, England. The Federation offers several joint theological programmes of study open to students in member institutions; these programmes are either validated by or are taught on...
.
History
The college was founded and endowed by Michael Gutteridge, a Methodist businessman in Naples, well known in Italy for philanthropy. After four years at 2 Brookside, Cambridge, in cooperation with Cheshunt College, it moved in 1925 to its present site, which was purchased from Jesus CollegeJesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The College was founded in 1496 on the site of a Benedictine nunnery by John Alcock, then Bishop of Ely...
.
The principal's house was completed in 1929, and the chapel, which contains paintings by Harold Speed
Harold Speed
Harold Speed was an English painter in oil and watercolour of portraits, figures and historical subjects.Born in London, the son of Edward Speed, an architect, he studied architecture at the Royal College of Art, but soon took up painting, and continued his studies at the Royal Academy Schools...
, in 1930. The buildings were designed by Maurice Webb. The chair of Systematics and Pastoral Theology was held by the first principal, Dr. H. Maldwyn Hughes, from 1921 to 1937. That of New Testament Language and Literature was held by the Revd Robert Newton Flew
Robert Newton Flew
Robert Newton Flew Robert Newton Flew Robert Newton Flew ((1886–1962) was an English Methodist minister and theologian, and an advocate of ecumenism among the Christian churches.-Family and education:...
from 1927 to 1937, when he succeeded Hughes both as principal and professor. One of the earliest students was Donald Soper
Donald Soper
Donald Oliver Soper, Baron Soper was a prominent Methodist minister, socialist and pacifist.Soper was born at 36 Knoll Road, Wandsworth, London, the first son and first child of the three children of Ernest Frankham Soper , an average adjuster in marine insurance, the son of a tailor, and his...
. Flew, principal from 1937 to 1955, was one of the moving forces behind the establishment of the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
. Another alumnus was Bolaji Idowu
Bolaji Idowu
Bolaji Idowu was the third native-born leader of the Methodist Church Nigeria, serving from 1972 to 1984. He is also well-known for his ethnographic and theological studies of the Yoruba people.-Life:...
, who headed the Methodist Church Nigeria
Methodist Church Nigeria
Methodist Church Nigeria is a major Christian denomination of Nigeria. It has about 2 million members. It is a member of the World Council of Churches as well as the...
from 1972 to 1984.
The three-sided court fronted by iron gates and railings became enclosed in 1973 by a new building housing flats for married students and a lecture theatre.
Administration
The College is administered by a special board of trustees, under the direction of the Methodist Conference. There is room for some 30 graduate students. The present principal is Revd Dr Jane Leach. Today, students working for the degrees of BTh, BA, MPhil and PhD are attached to a secular Cambridge University college as well as Wesley, while Wesley staff serve as associate lecturers of the university.The Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations (CJCR) and The Centre for the Study of Muslim-Jewish Relations (CMJR) are based at Wesley House. Also taking place there are MA courses in Pastoral Theology and BA courses in Christian Theology run by the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies. Wesley House is a member of the Cambridge Theological Federation
Cambridge Theological Federation
The Cambridge Theological Federation is an association of theological colleges, courses and houses, based in Cambridge, England. The Federation offers several joint theological programmes of study open to students in member institutions; these programmes are either validated by or are taught on...
.
For more than 20 years Wesley House has worked in partnership with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa
Methodist Church of Southern Africa
The Methodist Church of Southern Africa is a member church of the World Methodist Council.Methodism in Southern Africa began as a result of lay Christian work by an Irish soldier of the English Regiment, John Irwin, who was stationed at the Cape and began to hold prayer meetings as early as 1795...
and Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary there. Each year probationer ministers from South Africa visit the UK for a month, and each summer Wesley House students have an opportunity to visit South Africa and work in a township.
Notable staff and graduates
|
Robert Newton Flew Robert Newton Flew Robert Newton Flew Robert Newton Flew ((1886–1962) was an English Methodist minister and theologian, and an advocate of ecumenism among the Christian churches.-Family and education:... Martin Forward Martin Forward is a British, Methodist Christian lecturer and author on religion and Professor of Religion at Aurora University, Illinois. He has taught Islam at the Universities of Leicester, Bristol and Cambridge, and had spent a period of time in India where he was ordained into the Church of... |
Kenneth Grayston Kenneth Grayston was a British theologian. He is the author of Dying, We Live. A New Inquiry into the Death of Christ in the New Testament .... Bolaji Idowu Bolaji Idowu was the third native-born leader of the Methodist Church Nigeria, serving from 1972 to 1984. He is also well-known for his ethnographic and theological studies of the Yoruba people.-Life:... |
David Pawson J. David Pawson is a prominent Bible teacher based in Great Britain. He is the author of more than thirty books.-Biography:According to his autobiography, Pawson's immediate ancestors were all farmers, Methodist preachers or both - dating back to John Pawson, a friend and follower of John Wesley.... Ernest Gordon Rupp Ernest Gordon Rupp, . was a Methodist preacher, historian and Luther scholar.-Early life and education:Rupp attended Owen's School in Islington area of London... |
Donald Soper Donald Oliver Soper, Baron Soper was a prominent Methodist minister, socialist and pacifist.Soper was born at 36 Knoll Road, Wandsworth, London, the first son and first child of the three children of Ernest Frankham Soper , an average adjuster in marine insurance, the son of a tailor, and his... Gwilym Tilsley Rev. Gwilym Richard Tilsley , commonly known by his bardic name of "Tilsli", was a Welsh poet who served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales between 1969 and 1972.... |
See also
- Westcott HouseWestcott House, CambridgeWestcott House is a Church of England theological college based in Jesus Lane located in the centre of the university city of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.Its main activity is training people for ordained ministry in Anglican churches...
, a Church of EnglandChurch of EnglandThe Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
theological college, also in Jesus Lane. - Paul Stuart Glass: The History of Wesley House (Leeds: University of Leeds, 1993).