Christian Theological Seminary is an

ecumenical Ecumenism ( ; alternatively spelled oecumenism)also called interdenominationalism, or ecumenicalismis the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships ...

seminary A seminary, school of theology, theological college, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called seminarians) in scripture and theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as cle ...

related to the

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States and Canada. The denomination started with the Restoration Movement during the Second Great Awakening, first existing during the 19th ...

and located in

Indianapolis Indianapolis ( ), colloquially known as Indy, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Indiana, most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana, Marion ...

Indiana Indiana ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the s ...

. It provides five degree-level

education Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...

courses, three dual-degree programs, a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program, and a Ph.D. in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric. As of 2019, the seminary had an enrollment of 139 students.

History

CTS was founded by abolitionists as part of North Western Christian University in 1855. North Western Christian University became

Butler University Butler University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university has over 60 major academic fields of study within six colleges in the arts, business, communic ...

in 1877; in 1958, CTS became a freestanding institution. In 2017, Butler University purchased about of the CTS campus; Butler renamed its new land Butler South. CTS retained approximately on the west end of the parcel and holds a 100-year lease to space on the campus, including parts of the seminary, chapel, library, and counseling building. CTS continues as a freestanding institution on the Butler campus.

Academics

Christian Theological Seminary offers nine graduate degree programs and eight certificate programs, including: Masters of Divinity (MDiv), Masters of Theological Studies (MTS), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MACMHC), Master of Arts in Marriage + Family Therapy (MAMFT), and three joint degree programs.

Campus

Christian Theological Seminary is located on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis within walking distance of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The main building, a mid-century "pre-Gothic" building designed by

Edward Larrabee Barnes Edward Larrabee Barnes (April 22, 1915 – September 22, 2004) was an American architect. His work was characterized by the "fusing fModernism with vernacular architecture and understated design." Barnes was best known for his adherence to st ...

that opened in 1966 and two historic mansions on the campus were purchased by Butler University in 2018. The CTS campus is housed in the North and West wings of the main seminary building, and the CTS Counseling Center is housed in the largest of the two historic mansions on the Southwest side of the campus. CTS is also home to the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program and the Faith & Action Project. In 2021, a six-person panel of

American Institute of Architects The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach progr ...

(AIA) Indianapolis members identified the seminary's Sweeney Chapel (1966) among the ten most "architecturally significant" buildings completed in the city since

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

Library

The Christian Theological Seminary Library contains more than 210,000 volumes as well as over 1,300 current periodical subscriptions. Microfilms, audio-visuals, manuscripts, and special materials on the Restoration movement are available to scholars. The CTS Library is also home to the Congregational Resource Center, a resource library that contains videos, curriculum, denominational resources, and Vacation Bible School resources that are available on loan to pastors and leaders of local congregations. The CTS library also houses the Writing Center.

Notable alumni

* Harold Good * Robert W. Funk *

Joe Hogsett Joseph Hadden Hogsett (born November 2, 1956) is an American attorney, prosecutor, and politician who is the 49th mayor of Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to being elected mayor, Hogsett served as the secretary of state of Indiana from 1989 to 1994 ...

, Mayor of Indianapolis, former U.S. Attorney * Dr. Joel C. Hunter

References

External links

* {{authority control Seminaries and theological colleges in Indiana Universities and colleges in Indianapolis Religion in Indianapolis Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) seminaries and theological institutions