Baptist Union Theological Seminary. Records, 1866-1922

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University of Chicago - Founding and Early History

Religion

The collection is open for research.

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Baptist Theological Union. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

The Baptist Theological Union was founded to meet the needs of students at the first University of Chicago [1856-1866] who wished to prepare for the ministry. On August 13, 1863, "The Baptist Theological Union located at Chicago" was organized, and on August 27, incorporated under a general law. On Feb. 16, 1865, the Illinois legislature granted the Union a charter for "the founding, endowment, support, and direction of an institution for theological instruction." That same year, Dr. Nathaniel Colver began to give instruction to a few students in his study. Later, classes were held in Douglas Hall of the old University of Chicago.

The formal work of the Baptist Union Theological Seminary begins with the appointment of Dr. George W. Northrup as President and Professor of Systematic Theology. In the fall of 1867, courses in that subject as well as Ecclesiastical History and Biblical Literature and Exegesis were given to nineteen students. On July 1, 1869, the seminary building was dedicated. Debts connected with this building and the offer of free land in the Chicago suburb of Morgan Park encouraged the move to new quarters in 1877. When John D. Rockefeller made his subscription of $1,000,000.00 toward the founding of The University of Chicago, he made it a condition of the gift that the seminary become the Divinity School of the new institution. This took place formally on July 1, 1892, with the B.T.U. continuing as a separate organization.

The Baptist Union Theological Seminary Records include notes and correspondence from faculty and leaders of the Seminary, biographical and academic records of students, catalogs and brochures, and financial records.

Documents relating to the founding and operations of the Seminary may also be found in the records of the Baptist Theological Union.

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University of Chicago. Divinity School. Records

Baptist Theological Union. Records

• Names
  • University of Chicago (1857-1866)
  • University of Chicago. Divinity School
  • Baptist Theological Union (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Baptist Union Theological Seminary (Morgan Park, Ill.)
• SubjectTheology -- Study and teaching