History
"RPTS has been faithfully training pastors and other church leaders in the Reformed faith for 200 years."
History - Two Centuries of Service
Soon after the organization of the Reformed Presbytery (now called the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America) in 1798 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, steps were taken to establish a theological seminary for the education of its students of theology. A Constitution for the Seminary was adopted, a Board of Superintendents was appointed, and a Professor of Theology was chosen. Dr. Samuel B. Wylie of Philadelphia was the first professor when the doors of the institution were officially opened on May 15, 1810.
Prior to 1856, the Seminary was located in the cities where the professors also served congregations as pastors. Philadelphia and New Alexandria, Pennsylvania; Coldenham, New York; and Northwood and Cincinnati, Ohio, all served as centers for theological training. In 1856, the Seminary was located in Allegheny (now the North Side of Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania, and continued in that location until 1923.
In that year, the present building, "The Gables," formerly belonging to Durbin Horne, of the Horne Department Store, was purchased in the Point Breeze area of the East End of Pittsburgh. The three-story brick mansion was completely renovated in 1960, and a chapel was added in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Seminary's founding. A two-story library wing was added in 1970, providing stacks, study carrels, and a library office/workroom. A climatized Rare Books Room was completed in commemoration of the Seminary's 175th Anniversary, and its history was published in 1985: Spare No Exertions, by Dr. Robert M. Copeland. A major renovation of the Seminary building was accomplished in 1999-2000, providing more library, office, and classroom space, and central air-conditioning to meet the needs of our growing ministry. In April of this year, RPTS purchased an eight-unit building across Penn Avenue to support a developing Biblical Counseling institute to offer practical experience for students and local pastors, as well as provide more space for student housing, library resources, and offices.
The Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gave approval for the Seminary to grant the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in 1973. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) granted full accreditation to the Seminary in 1994. In 1998, the Seminary was re-accredited by ATS for another ten years and was also given approval by the State's Department of Education and ATS to grant the Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) degree.
In recent years, the Seminary has forged relations with a number of seminaries in foreign countries, including the Kobe Theological Hall of Kobe, Japan, the Covenanter Theological Institute in Scotland, and several Presbyterian institutions in Korea.
Prior to 1856, the Seminary was located in the cities where the professors also served congregations as pastors. Philadelphia and New Alexandria, Pennsylvania; Coldenham, New York; and Northwood and Cincinnati, Ohio, all served as centers for theological training. In 1856, the Seminary was located in Allegheny (now the North Side of Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania, and continued in that location until 1923.
In that year, the present building, "The Gables," formerly belonging to Durbin Horne, of the Horne Department Store, was purchased in the Point Breeze area of the East End of Pittsburgh. The three-story brick mansion was completely renovated in 1960, and a chapel was added in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Seminary's founding. A two-story library wing was added in 1970, providing stacks, study carrels, and a library office/workroom. A climatized Rare Books Room was completed in commemoration of the Seminary's 175th Anniversary, and its history was published in 1985: Spare No Exertions, by Dr. Robert M. Copeland. A major renovation of the Seminary building was accomplished in 1999-2000, providing more library, office, and classroom space, and central air-conditioning to meet the needs of our growing ministry. In April of this year, RPTS purchased an eight-unit building across Penn Avenue to support a developing Biblical Counseling institute to offer practical experience for students and local pastors, as well as provide more space for student housing, library resources, and offices.
The Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gave approval for the Seminary to grant the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in 1973. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) granted full accreditation to the Seminary in 1994. In 1998, the Seminary was re-accredited by ATS for another ten years and was also given approval by the State's Department of Education and ATS to grant the Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) degree.
In recent years, the Seminary has forged relations with a number of seminaries in foreign countries, including the Kobe Theological Hall of Kobe, Japan, the Covenanter Theological Institute in Scotland, and several Presbyterian institutions in Korea.
