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In 2019, [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University Belfast]] announced that it would end its relationship with the College.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47797560|title=QUB to end link with theological college|last=Meredith|first=Robbie|date=2019-04-03|access-date=2019-05-18|language=en-GB}}</ref> As tuition fees for 2018/19 were set at £4,160 annually, the potential annual financial shortfall to the college was projected to be as high as £700,000 on the assumption that over 150 undergraduate students might normally be admitted in a given year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Preston|first=Allan|date=11 April 2019|title=Queen's split with Union Theological College could cost £700k|work=Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/queens-split-with-union-theological-college-could-cost-700k-38003060.html}}</ref> However, as student numbers had already declined significantly in latter years,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Bradfield|first=Phil|date=13 April 2019|title=Queen’s University Belfast Academic Council, 2 April 2019: Provision of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes through the Institute of Theology|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/406109772/QUEEN-S-UNIVERSITY-BELFAST-QUB-Academic-Council-2-April-2019-Provision-of-Undergraduate-and-Postgraduate-Programmes-through-the-Institute-of-Th|url-status=live}}</ref> it was subsequently argued that the immediately foreseeable shortfall in the absence of any new income streams would be £250,000 by 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|date=31 May 2019|title=Church faces £250k shortfall over loss of QUB fees for college|work=Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/church-faces-250k-shortfall-over-loss-of-qub-fees-for-college-38165684.html}}</ref>
In 2019, [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University Belfast]] announced that it would end its relationship with the College.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47797560|title=QUB to end link with theological college|last=Meredith|first=Robbie|date=2019-04-03|access-date=2019-05-18|language=en-GB}}</ref> As tuition fees for 2018/19 were set at £4,160 annually, the potential annual financial shortfall to the college was projected to be as high as £700,000 on the assumption that over 150 undergraduate students might normally be admitted in a given year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Preston|first=Allan|date=11 April 2019|title=Queen's split with Union Theological College could cost £700k|work=Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/queens-split-with-union-theological-college-could-cost-700k-38003060.html}}</ref> However, as student numbers had already declined significantly in latter years,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Bradfield|first=Phil|date=13 April 2019|title=Queen’s University Belfast Academic Council, 2 April 2019: Provision of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes through the Institute of Theology|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/406109772/QUEEN-S-UNIVERSITY-BELFAST-QUB-Academic-Council-2-April-2019-Provision-of-Undergraduate-and-Postgraduate-Programmes-through-the-Institute-of-Th|url-status=live}}</ref> it was subsequently argued that the immediately foreseeable shortfall in the absence of any new income streams would be £250,000 by 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|date=31 May 2019|title=Church faces £250k shortfall over loss of QUB fees for college|work=Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/church-faces-250k-shortfall-over-loss-of-qub-fees-for-college-38165684.html}}</ref>


In 2020 Union Theological College announced it would partner with the Catholic [[St Mary's University, Twickenham]] for the awarding of undergraduate degrees.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51635771 Union Theological College in Belfast to partner with Catholic university] By Robbie Meredith, Education Correspondent, BBC Northern Ireland, February 26, 2020.</ref> Whereas Union Theological College faced allegations that students “have experienced bullying, as well as sectarian and homophobic attitudes” from its faculty members,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-19|title=QUB suspends relationship with Union Theological College|url=https://thegownqub.com/2018/12/19/qub-suspends-relationship-with-union-theological-college/|access-date=2022-02-09|website=The Gown Online|language=en}}</ref> [[St Mary's University, Twickenham|St Mary's University]] had already published resources to tackle homophobic and biphobic bullying in educational contexts.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018|title=Made in God’s image: Challenging homophobic and biphobic bullying in Catholic schools|url=http://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/images/CES-Project_Homophobic-Bullying-Booklet_JUN18_PROOF-9.pdf}}</ref>
In 2020 Union Theological College announced it would partner with the Catholic [[St Mary's University, Twickenham]] for the awarding of undergraduate degrees.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51635771 Union Theological College in Belfast to partner with Catholic university] By Robbie Meredith, Education Correspondent, BBC Northern Ireland, February 26, 2020.</ref>


In January 2021, Alan McCormick took up the position of Operations Manager,<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=September 2021 |title=Annual Report and Enhancement Plan, page 15 |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/cmsfiles/AnnualReports/AnnualReport_2020-21.pdf}}</ref> having previously worked in a similar capacity as director of operations at Belfast Bible College where he had been accused of unlawful discrimination against a Catholic woman, ultimately leading to dismissal of such claims but payment of compensation to her family following her death.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 March 2020|title=Widower loses legal case against Belfast Bible College|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/uk-news/widower-loses-legal-case-against-belfast-bible-college-2444415|access-date=2022-02-13|website=www.newsletter.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Harte|first=Lauren|date=18 May 2019|title=Catholic woman’s claim of Bible college bias pursued after her death is rejected|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/catholic-womans-claim-of-bible-college-bias-pursued-after-her-death-is-rejected-38122960.html|access-date=2022-02-13|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Union Theological College then repeatedly hosted the [[Orange Order]] during the centennial anniversary year for the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] (see [[Union Theological College#“The Future’s Bright, The Future’s Orange”?|Culture & Controversy]] below for further details). The college hosted a separate livestreamed event for an exclusively invited audience in September 2021 to mark the part previously played in hosting the first Parliament of Northern Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 September 2021|title=Northern Ireland singer to perform at Presbyterian event|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-singer-to-perform-at-presbyterian-event-40855812.html|access-date=2021-10-27|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=17 September 2021|title=On these steps|url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Events/On-these-steps.aspx|url-status=live|access-date=27 October 2021}}</ref>
In January 2021, Alan McCormick took up the position of Operations Manager,<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=September 2021 |title=Annual Report and Enhancement Plan, page 15 |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/cmsfiles/AnnualReports/AnnualReport_2020-21.pdf}}</ref> having previously worked in a similar capacity as director of operations at Belfast Bible College where he had been accused of unlawful discrimination against a Catholic woman, ultimately leading to dismissal of such claims but payment of compensation to her family following her death.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 March 2020|title=Widower loses legal case against Belfast Bible College|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/uk-news/widower-loses-legal-case-against-belfast-bible-college-2444415|access-date=2022-02-13|website=www.newsletter.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Harte|first=Lauren|date=18 May 2019|title=Catholic woman’s claim of Bible college bias pursued after her death is rejected|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/catholic-womans-claim-of-bible-college-bias-pursued-after-her-death-is-rejected-38122960.html|access-date=2022-02-13|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Union Theological College then repeatedly hosted the [[Orange Order]] during the centennial anniversary year for the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] (see [[Union Theological College#“The Future’s Bright, The Future’s Orange”?|Culture & Controversy]] below for further details). The college hosted a separate livestreamed event for an exclusively invited audience in September 2021 to mark the part previously played in hosting the first Parliament of Northern Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 September 2021|title=Northern Ireland singer to perform at Presbyterian event|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-singer-to-perform-at-presbyterian-event-40855812.html|access-date=2021-10-27|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=17 September 2021|title=On these steps|url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Events/On-these-steps.aspx|url-status=live|access-date=27 October 2021}}</ref>

Revision as of 10:46, 15 March 2022

54°35′06″N 5°55′52″W / 54.585°N 5.931°W / 54.585; -5.931 This page is about a college in Northern Ireland. For institutions with similar names, see Union Theological Seminary and Union School of Theology

Union Theological College
MottoTemplate:Lang-la
Motto in English
“Buy the truth and sell it not” (taken from Proverbs 23:23)
Established1853; 171 years ago (1853) (Assembly's College)
PrincipalGordon Campbell
Address
108 Botanic Avenue
Belfast
BT7 1JT
,
Belfast
,
Northern Ireland
AffiliationsPresbyterian Church in Ireland
Websitewww.union.ac.uk

Union Theological College is the theological college for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and is situated in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is governed by the Council for Training in Ministry, the convenor of which since 2016 has been Rev. Nigel McCullough.[1][2][3]

The professors of the college constitute the Presbyterian Theological Faculty of Ireland (PTFI) which was granted a Royal Charter in 1881 to confer postgraduate academic degrees[4] and a Supplemental Charter in 2021.[5] There are currently three professors, one senior lecturer, four lecturers, and six part-time lecturers and tutors.[6]

The college offers three residential courses (BA (Hons) Theology, Master of Divinity and PhD Theology) with the undergraduate courses being validated by St. Mary's University, Twickenham and the postgraduate courses being awarded by PTFI. The college also offers five online postgraduate courses through BibleMesh[7] accredited by the Presbyterian Theological Faculty Ireland (PTFI).


History

The building, circa 1860-1880.

The Assembly’s College

The college was founded in 1853 as the Assembly’s College. The Renaissance Revival style building with its grand Doric porch and Baroque attic was designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, the architect of the main building at Queen’s and built with Scrabo stone at a cost of £5,000.[8] Merle d’Aubigné of Geneva participated in the opening ceremony on 5 December 1853 alongside Henry Cooke, President of the Faculty (the five other professors in the new college were John Edgar, Robert Wilson, William Killen, James G. Murphy and William Gibson).

There was a large influx of students in the wake of the 1859 Revival and the south wing with its dining hall and student accommodation (“Chambers”) was added in 1869.[9] Princeton seminary had an important influence in the shaping of the ethos of the college during this period: the Rev. Roberts Watts who was appointed Professor of Systematic Theology in 1866 hoped to make “Belfast another Princeton”.[10] The north wing with its wood-panelled chapel was designed by John Lanyon, son of original architect, and completed in 1881.[11] The first degrees under the Royal Charter were conferred in 1883.[12] However, the death of Watts in 1895 marked the beginning of the end of the Princetonian influence.[13] A partial union took place between the faculties in Belfast and Magee in 1922.

The Commons.
The Senate.

The newly formed Parliament of Northern Ireland met in the Assembly’s College from 1921 until 1932 while Stormont was being built: the Commons met in the Gamble Library and the Senate in the college chapel. During this period the college conducted classes in a house and provided library resources in a house on University Square. In 1926 the college became a Recognised College of Queen’s University.[14] During this period the college came under criticism for its embrace of theological liberalism. This culminated in a charge of heresy being brought against Professor J. Ernest Davey in 1926-27. The college officially reopened in October 1932 and the inaugural lecture was delivered by the Scottish Historian Robert Rait.[15]

Between 1941 and 1948 the city police used the college as its own headquarters were bombed in the Belfast Blitz. In 1953, to mark the College’s centenary year, Prof. Davey was elected Moderator of the General Assembly.[16]

The Union Theological College

In 1976 theological teaching at Magee College in Derry ceased and the two colleges amalgamated in 1978. The new college, constituted by an Act of Parliament, was named The Union Theological College.[17] John M. Barkley was Professor of Church History from 1954 until his retirement in 1981 (Principal 1976-1981) and was succeeded by Finlay Holmes (Principal 1987-1992). Laurence Kirkpatrick was subsequently appointed Professor of Church history in 1996 (Principal 2008-2010).

In 2003 the college celebrated its 150th anniversary by completing a £2.8million pound refurbishment in which individual study bedrooms with ensuite facilities were added. Alister E. McGrath, Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford gave a public lecture entitled “Renewing our vision for the future of Protestant Christianity in Northern Ireland”. Bill Addley retired as Professor of Practical Theology in 2006 and the vacated chair was filled by Drew Gibson. Cecil McCullough, Professor of New Testament, who served as Principal from 1998-2002, retired in 2007 and was succeeded in the chair by Gordon Campbell.

On 14 November 2009 a fire caused serious damage to the rear of the college during the refurbishment of the Principal’s House (a £2.2million project).[18][19] The extension known as the Training Resource Centre provided further lecture and seminar rooms was subsequently opened in September 2011.[20]Stafford Carson was appointed as a new executive principal in 2013. At this time a major stonework restoration and conservation project took place (2013-2017).[21] Patton Taylor retired as Professor of Old Testament in 2016 (Principal 2002-2008 and 2010-2013).

Recent Developments

In 2016, Queen’s University Belfast undertook a strategic review of the teaching of Theology as all new undergraduate students were then taught at Union Theological College, noting declining student numbers and expressing concerns regarding the diversity of provision compared to Theology and Religions departments in other UK Universities.[22]

The Welsh Presbyterian theologian Stephen N. Williams, who had held the Chair of Systematic Theology from 1994, was succeeded in 2017 by Michael McClenahan.

In 2017 the college marked the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by participating in a “Luther 500” conference and by hosting an autumn seminar series entitled “The Unfinished Reformation”.[23]

In 2018 the Professor of Church History was suspended (see Dismissal of a Professor below for further details). There was also “a refresh of the College’s Coat of Arms” with the help of a digital heraldic artist, including discussion of the motto to “buy the truth and sell it not”.[24] A subsequent QAA report concluded that "the Union Theological College (the College) is making progress with continuing to monitor, review and enhance its higher education provision since the October 2017 monitoring visit, but that further improvement is required" and that there were a few issues with “the potential to put academic standards and quality at risk”.[3]

In 2019, Queen’s University Belfast announced that it would end its relationship with the College.[25] As tuition fees for 2018/19 were set at £4,160 annually, the potential annual financial shortfall to the college was projected to be as high as £700,000 on the assumption that over 150 undergraduate students might normally be admitted in a given year.[26] However, as student numbers had already declined significantly in latter years,[22][27] it was subsequently argued that the immediately foreseeable shortfall in the absence of any new income streams would be £250,000 by 2022.[28]

In 2020 Union Theological College announced it would partner with the Catholic St Mary's University, Twickenham for the awarding of undergraduate degrees.[29]

In January 2021, Alan McCormick took up the position of Operations Manager,[30] having previously worked in a similar capacity as director of operations at Belfast Bible College where he had been accused of unlawful discrimination against a Catholic woman, ultimately leading to dismissal of such claims but payment of compensation to her family following her death.[31][32] Union Theological College then repeatedly hosted the Orange Order during the centennial anniversary year for the Parliament of Northern Ireland (see Culture & Controversy below for further details). The college hosted a separate livestreamed event for an exclusively invited audience in September 2021 to mark the part previously played in hosting the first Parliament of Northern Ireland.[33][34]


Until 2021, the college had provided teaching and assessment for undergraduate and postgraduate awards offered through the Institute of Theology at Queen’s University Belfast.[35] Whereas a wider range of modules was offered to students in the past, previously including a “Graduate Certificate in Youth Ministry programme”,[36] the range of available modules had latterly been restricted “for reasons of financial viability”.[37]

In October 2021, the college began advertising a new undergraduate degree on its website, validated by St Mary's University, Twickenham,[38] which is committed to the mission of the Catholic Church in higher education.[39] The Presbyterian Church in Ireland requires that each professor of the college must subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith,[40] which states that those who “profess the true reformed religion” and “such as are godly” should not “be unequally yoked” to “papists, or other idolaters”.[41] However the Presbyterian Church addressed concerns about this link by saying that "It's a validation arrangement, with the college still being able to retain its reformed and evangelical identity, which will be respected by St Mary's, who will continue with their Catholic identity - but we'll both share a Christian ethos and the values that we share with all Christians. That is an important new development for Union College and it's a positive sign for the new Northern Ireland where such sectarian divisions are perhaps a thing of the past."[42]

Notably, the partnership was not subsequently debated at the denomination’s General Assembly but was instead approved by a standing commission.[43] Whereas admission of prospective undergraduate students at Union Theological College was previously governed independently by Queen’s University Belfast,[44][45] applications for the new undergraduate programme are not possible either via UCAS or St Mary's University but must instead be sent by email directly to administrative staff at Union Theological College.[46]

Postgraduate degrees are awarded by the Presbyterian Theological Faculty Ireland,[47] for which the student retention rate has been significantly lower (as low as 80% to date) than the 100% retention rate for students whose degrees would be conferred by Queen’s University Belfast.[48] Unlike most higher education establishments in the United Kingdom, all postgraduate courses at Union Theological College require payment in United States dollars upon application.[49] Information available for most such courses advertises access (such as through videos) to the teaching of various scholars,[50][51][52][53] none of whom are listed as members of faculty at the college[54] but whose lectures were already freely available on YouTube (e.g. Sinclair Ferguson,[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] Fred Sanders,[66][67][68][69][70][71] Tremper Longman III,[72][73][74][75] John N. Oswalt,[76][77] Craig Blomberg,[78][79][80][81][82] Bruce Longenecker[83] and Mark L. Strauss[84][85][86]).

In February 2022, it was announced that support of doctoral candidates at Union Theological College would be outsourced to supervisors at the Kirby Laing Centre.[87]

Faculty

The faculty currently comprises three professors, of New Testament, Systematic Theology, and Ministry;[88] a senior lecturer in Biblical Studies; a lecturer in Historical Theology, a lecturer in New Testament and a lecturer in Practical Theology. J. Stafford Carson became principal of the college in 2013[89] but retired in December 2020[90] and was then succeeded in this role by Prof. W Gordon Campbell.[91]

Notable faculty

Notable former faculty

Library

Founded in 1873 by Mrs Caroline Gamble in memory of her late husband, the Rev. Henry Gamble, the college Library is the largest theological library in Northern Ireland. The Gamble Library stocks over 65,000 books, 20,000 pamphlets and taking over 50 journals and periodicals. The domed library served as the Chamber of the House of Commons for the Northern Ireland Parliament from 1921 to 1932. The foundation of the collection predates the college and was formed in 1845.[92] A significant collection was acquired from the estate of the Presbyterian historian Rev. James Seaton Reid (d. 1851). Much of the Magee College pamphlet collection was added in 1977.

Culture & Controversy

Union Theological College is the center for ministerial training in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and had previously been an important local hub for the provision of theological education, along with Belfast Bible College, Irish Baptist College, Edgehill Theological College and Whitefield College of the Bible. The college has never been far from the critical discussions and, at times, controversies so prevalent in the context of changing social, historical and cultural circumstances in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

A Divisive Heresy Trial

One of the college professors, J. Ernest Davey, was the subject of a heresy trial in 1927 because of his teaching in the College.[93] Although cleared by the Church’s courts, a small number of Presbyterians broke away unhappy with the decision and founded what later became the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Dismissal of a Professor

Arguably greater public controversy was generated latterly when the Professor of Church History and former Principal[94][95][96] whose teaching demonstrably inspired previous students[97] was then sacked after 22 years of service, ostensibly as his participation in a radio interview was construed as “gross misconduct”.[98] Of particular contention, the erstwhile Professor of Church History responded to an interview question by stating that he personally “would be horrified” if students were hypothetically presented with only one view on questions of sexual ethics in an academic setting,[99][100] as well as saying that he would be “heartbroken” if anyone accused him of being “bigoted against Catholic students or gay students or whatever”, arguing that “as near as possible we uphold everything that the university stands for”.[100] The sacking of a professor on such grounds in turn prompted far more widespread media coverage and public criticism than any comments previously made during the original radio interview.[100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107][108] In particular, this was independently interpreted at the time as “stifling public debate” and curtailing “academic freedom” by undermining academics in their “ability to express a range of opinions”,[109] although the clerk of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland had nevertheless denied that ministers were being silenced.[110]

Prior to the suspension of the Professor of Church History, it had been reported that “Queen’s remained non-committal over calls for change”,[111] despite complaints that the Presbyterian church had become “narrow-minded and backward looking” and associated appeals that Queen’s University “should now sever its relationship”[111] with Union Theological College or otherwise risk associated “reputational damage”.[112] However, the initial suspension of the Professor of Church History pursuant to his radio interview was understood to have then prompted Queen’s University to re-examine its relationship with Union Theological College,[113][104][109] subsequently reflected by comments in an ensuing report that the College’s “decisions relating to staff deployment, and late changes affecting the availability of established recognised teachers, highlighted the vulnerability of the University in assuring the academic quality of the student experience”.[27] By contrast, the Council for Training in Ministry then absolved its own members of any responsibility by denying that they “had any role in this”, and instead held the former professor personally responsible not only for “a significant and material adverse impact” on relations with Queen’s University but also for allegedly bringing the Presbyterian Church in Ireland “into disrepute”,[98] thereby exemplifying psychological projection as both scapegoating and victim blaming. Ian Hazlett, Emeritus Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Glasgow, described the “semi-secret plotting” that led to “Laurence Kirkpatrick’s dismissal from his academic post by non-academic churchmen” as reminiscent of the Inquisition,[114] whilst the erstwhile Professor of Church History himself was convinced that his own remarks on the radio were not the ultimate reasons underlying his dismissal but rather “discrimination and harassment by his employers” because of his prior marital breakdown.[108]

File:Slide montage.gif
Queens University Students attending service at Union Theological College

Orange Order use of premises

In January 2021, Union Theological College hosted the Grand Orange Lodge for the first of various planned services marking the centennial of partition on the island of Ireland[115][116][117][118] at a time when churches in Northern Ireland had already decided to close in response to increasing cases of COVID-19.[119] In September 2021, Queen’s Orange Society (LOL 1845) held another service in Union Theological College,

See also

References

  1. ^ "Council for Training in Ministry".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ "General Assembly Annual Reports, 2016 (page 223)" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b "General Assembly 2017 Reports: Council for Training in Ministry (page 273)" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Union & PTFI". Union Theological College, Belfast. Retrieved 31 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ https://www.thoughtcollective.com, Thought Collective-. "At the Court at Windsor Castle". Union Theological College, Belfast. Retrieved 15 March 2022. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  6. ^ https://www.thoughtcollective.com, Thought Collective-. "Teaching Staff". Union Theological College, Belfast. Retrieved 15 March 2022. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  7. ^ "Courses - Union Theological College". www.union.ac.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  8. ^ Allen, Robert (1954). The Presbyterian College Belfast 1853-1953. Belfast: William Mullan. p. 90.
  9. ^ Allen, Robert (1954). The Presbyterian College Belfast 1853-1953. Belfast: William Mullan & Son. p. 98.
  10. ^ Livingstone, David N. (1999). Ulster-American Religion: Episodes in the History of a Cultural Connection. University of Notre Dame Press. pp. 7–8, 32. ISBN 9780268043032.
  11. ^ "Theology college provides union of hearts and minds". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  12. ^ Allen, Robert (1954). The Presbyterian College Beflast 1853-1953. Belfast: William Mullan. p. 158.
  13. ^ Allen, Robert (1954). The Presbyterian College Belfast 1853-1953. Belfast: William Mullan. p. 201.
  14. ^ "Queen's forges "divine" link-up with theological colleges".
  15. ^ Allen, Robert (1954). The Presbyterian College Belfast 1853-1953. Belfast: William Mullan. p. 252.
  16. ^ Allen, Robert (1954). The Presbyterian College Belfast 1853-1953. Belfast: William Mullan. p. 271.
  17. ^ Presbyterian Church in Ireland Press Release, 2003 Presbyterian College Celebrates 150 Years Archived 19 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 8 March 2008.
  18. ^ "BBC NEWS - UK - Northern Ireland - Firefighters injured at college". bbc.co.uk.
  19. ^ "Theology college provides union of hearts and minds". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  20. ^ "Fire destroyed Union College extension finally opens".
  21. ^ "How your 5p bag tax is helping to save six majestic buildings".
  22. ^ a b "Strategic Review of the Teaching of Theology at Queen's University Belfast, 2 June and 3 June 2016" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "Reformation focus for Union autumn seminars".
  24. ^ "The College's Coat of Arms". www.union.ac.uk. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  25. ^ Meredith, Robbie (3 April 2019). "QUB to end link with theological college". Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  26. ^ Preston, Allan (11 April 2019). "Queen's split with Union Theological College could cost £700k". Belfast Telegraph.
  27. ^ a b Bradfield, Phil (13 April 2019). "Queen's University Belfast Academic Council, 2 April 2019: Provision of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes through the Institute of Theology".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "Church faces £250k shortfall over loss of QUB fees for college". Belfast Telegraph. 31 May 2019.
  29. ^ Union Theological College in Belfast to partner with Catholic university By Robbie Meredith, Education Correspondent, BBC Northern Ireland, February 26, 2020.
  30. ^ "Annual Report and Enhancement Plan, page 15" (PDF). September 2021.
  31. ^ "Widower loses legal case against Belfast Bible College". www.newsletter.co.uk. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  32. ^ Harte, Lauren (18 May 2019). "Catholic woman's claim of Bible college bias pursued after her death is rejected". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  33. ^ "Northern Ireland singer to perform at Presbyterian event". belfasttelegraph. 16 September 2021. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  34. ^ "On these steps". 17 September 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ^ Institute of Theology - Graduation Celebration Event, Jul 27, 2021, retrieved 29 August 2021
  36. ^ "Union Theological College Belfast College Handbook 2018-19 (page 45)" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Check date values in: |archive-date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ^ "Educational Oversight: report of the monitoring visit of Union Theological College, May 2021" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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