The Ecumenical Theological Seminary is a privateseminary in Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1980 as the Ecumenical Theological Center, the seminary offers graduate degrees and certificates in religious studies. It is housed in a building built in 1889 to house the First Presbyterian Church; the seminary began leasing the building in 1992 and was donated the building, lands, and endowment in 2002.
History
The seminary traces it roots to the Institute for Advanced Pastoral Studies, an institution founded in 1957 to provide continuing education for Christian ministers. This institution merged with the Ecumenical Theological Center in 1980. In 1994, the center changed its name to the Ecumenical Theological Seminary and began offering an academic credential (the "Diploma in Christian Ministry" now the "Urban Ministry Diploma Program"). Three years later, the seminary began the process of gaining accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools. In 2002, after allowing the seminary to lease the former First Presbyterian Church for ten years, the Presbytery of Detroit gave the seminary the building, its grounds, and it endowment.[1]