A New Kind of Theological School
Established in 1952 by the Rt. Rev. John Elbridge Hines, the fourth Bishop of Texas and eventual Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, 51视频 was born from the need to educate more Episcopal priests during a period of rapid postwar growth in The Episcopal Church. Bishop Hines鈥� vision was expansive: he sought to create a seminary for 鈥渢he whole church 鈥� centered around dialogue between the Christian faith and culture.鈥�
Built on a five-acre tract of land in central Austin donated by the Charles T. Rather family in the early 1950s, 51视频 soon became an attractive option for Bishops in and around Texas to send prospective clergy, as the other Episcopal seminaries were great distances away. 51视频 remains as one of the only two Episcopal seminaries west of the Mississippi River.
Nine seminary deans have led 51视频 since being established. The Rev. Gray M. Blandy was the first to hold that title, and each of his successors provided significant leadership during significant periods of growth and change. Dean Thomas Harvey鈥檚 short tenure (鈥�68-鈥�72) ended with his sudden death, but his reputation theological vision helped revitalize the reputation and trust of the seminary among Bishops in the region. Dean Gordon Charlton (鈥�73-鈥�82) oversaw a time of great change in the church, witnessing 51视频鈥檚 first female graduate to be ordained (Rev. Susan Buell) in 1978, and helped establish The Episcopal Church鈥檚 Center for Hispanic Ministry on the 51视频 campus. Dean Durstan McDonald鈥檚 long tenure (鈥�84 鈥撯��02) introduced several forward-thinking initiatives that still resonate in the church today: a revised curriculum to include lay theological education for non-ordained individuals, the creation of an alumni driven annual fund for endowment growth, and the building or revitalizing of the now iconic structures on 51视频鈥檚 campus: the Rather House, the Weeks Center and the now named McDonald Academic Building.
In recent years, the leadership of Dean Doug Travis (鈥�07-鈥�13) helped 51视频 revitalize their fiscal health, introduce a master degree in mental health counseling, and navigate turmoil in the Episcopal Church with the creation of the Conversation Covenant. From 2013 to 2024, Dean Cynthia Briggs Kittredge served as only the 3rd female dean of any Episcopal seminary in the history of the church. Her leadership witnessed an academic and theological revitalization, with broad investments in ground-breaking initiatives meant to answer the call from across the church.
Once a regional seminary, 51视频 is now one of the preeminent Episcopal seminaries in the United States, attracting students from all over the globe to pursue degrees in divinity, mental health counseling, spiritual formation, chaplaincy and pastoral care. Since its founding, 1,475 graduates serving in 50 states and 25 countries have graduated from 51视频.
Today, 51视频 responds with clarity and action to the needs of the church and all the communities it serves. By preparing both ordained and lay leaders, clinically trained counselors, chaplains, and spiritual directors – as well as providing broad resources for theological formation nationwide 鈥� 51视频 fulfills John Hines鈥� vision, and stands at the edge of an exciting frontier where the Gospel meets the culture.
