Jump to content

Union Theological College: Difference between revisions

Add links
Coordinates: 54°35′06″N 5°55′52″W / 54.585°N 5.931°W / 54.585; -5.931
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Added additional detail.
Removed some loaded words and added more details.
Tags: references removed Visual edit
Line 104: Line 104:
=== Dismissal of a Professor ===
=== Dismissal of a Professor ===


Arguably greater public controversy was generated latterly when the Professor of Church History and former Principal<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Assembly Annual Reports, 2007 (pages 3 & 41) |url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/getmedia/88b988c2-d16c-4741-9fe7-82c9019ae962/2007-PCI_Annual_Reports.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2021-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=General Assembly Annual Reports, 2008 (pages 21-22) |url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/getmedia/f1f7b291-30d0-443e-ac88-b16df8898dcb/2008-PCI_Annual_Reports.pdf.aspx |access-date=2021-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission Countries: China |url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Mission/Mission-Countries/China.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=2021-10-14}}</ref> whose teaching demonstrably inspired previous students<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 August 2017|title=Module Video Commentary by Rev. Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick|url=https://www.facebook.com/UnionCollegeBelfast/photos/professor-laurence-kirkpatrick-our-professor-of-church-history-has-done-short-co/269012293590301/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/235527746938756/269012293590301 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|url-status=live|access-date=14 October 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> was then sacked after 22 years of service, ostensibly as his participation in a radio interview was construed as “gross misconduct”.<ref name=":5" /> 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,<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last=Bain |first=Mark |date=15 April 2019 |title=Lecturer sacked by Presbyterian college over radio remarks says he may quit Church |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/lecturer-sacked-by-presbyterian-college-over-radio-remarks-says-he-may-quit-church-38014351.html |access-date=2021-08-30 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> 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”.<ref name=":7" /> 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.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=21 March 2019|title=Presbyterian church dismisses Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick for ‘adverse’ comments on BBC about his employer|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/presbyterian-church-dismisses-prof-laurence-kirkpatrick-adverse-comments-bbc-about-his-employer-641170|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-30|website=www.newsletter.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-03-21|title=Presbyterian minister fired from college over 'gross misconduct'|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47647354|access-date=2021-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=21 March 2019|title=Belfast theological college professor fired over BBC radio comments|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/belfast-theological-college-professor-fired-over-bbc-radio-comments-37937297.html|access-date=2021-08-30|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=McGarry|first=Patsy|date=22 March 2019|title=Presbyterian professor at Belfast College fired by church over liberal same sex views|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/presbyterian-professor-at-belfast-college-fired-by-church-over-liberal-same-sex-views-1.3834464|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-30|website=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news|date=2019-03-25|title=Liberty of theological expression is challenged from left and right|work=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/erasmus/2019/03/25/liberty-of-theological-expression-is-challenged-from-left-and-right|access-date=2021-08-30|issn=0013-0613}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=4 May 2019|title='I'm ashamed of the Presbyterian Church... we have adopted a model of clerical control, while professing ourselves democratic, we've veered into an overly simplistic evangelicalism that doesn't resonate with ordinary people'|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/alf-mccreary/im-ashamed-of-the-presbyterian-church-we-have-adopted-a-model-of-clerical-control-while-professing-ourselves-democratic-weve-veered-into-an-overly-simplistic-evangelicalism-that-doesnt-resonate-with-ordinary-people-38076269.html|access-date=2021-08-30|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-04-14|title=Sacked professor considers leaving Presbyterian church|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47927034|access-date=2021-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=14 April 2019|title=Dismissed Presbyterian lecturer Rev Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick speaks out|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/dismissed-presbyterian-lecturer-rev-prof-laurence-kirkpatrick-speaks-out-985003|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-14|website=www.newsletter.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite news|date=7 September 2019|title=Sacked academic 'to sing like canary' at job tribunal|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sacked-academic-to-sing-like-canary-at-job-tribunal-38474624.html|access-date=2021-10-14|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> 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”,<ref name=":15" /> although the clerk of the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]] had nevertheless denied that ministers were being silenced.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-06-24 |title=Presbyterian clerk denies ministers are being silenced |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-44592516 |access-date=2021-08-30}}</ref>
More recently the Professor of Church History and former Principal<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Assembly Annual Reports, 2007 (pages 3 & 41) |url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/getmedia/88b988c2-d16c-4741-9fe7-82c9019ae962/2007-PCI_Annual_Reports.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2021-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=General Assembly Annual Reports, 2008 (pages 21-22) |url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/getmedia/f1f7b291-30d0-443e-ac88-b16df8898dcb/2008-PCI_Annual_Reports.pdf.aspx |access-date=2021-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission Countries: China |url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Mission/Mission-Countries/China.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=2021-10-14}}</ref> was sacked after 22 years of service for “gross misconduct” following a radio interview.<ref name=":5" /> During that interview the Professor of Church History responded to a 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,<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last=Bain |first=Mark |date=15 April 2019 |title=Lecturer sacked by Presbyterian college over radio remarks says he may quit Church |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/lecturer-sacked-by-presbyterian-college-over-radio-remarks-says-he-may-quit-church-38014351.html |access-date=2021-08-30 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> 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”.<ref name=":7" /> The sacking of a professor on such grounds prompted widespread media coverage and public criticism from some quarters,<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=21 March 2019|title=Presbyterian church dismisses Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick for ‘adverse’ comments on BBC about his employer|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/presbyterian-church-dismisses-prof-laurence-kirkpatrick-adverse-comments-bbc-about-his-employer-641170|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-30|website=www.newsletter.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-03-21|title=Presbyterian minister fired from college over 'gross misconduct'|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47647354|access-date=2021-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=21 March 2019|title=Belfast theological college professor fired over BBC radio comments|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/belfast-theological-college-professor-fired-over-bbc-radio-comments-37937297.html|access-date=2021-08-30|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=McGarry|first=Patsy|date=22 March 2019|title=Presbyterian professor at Belfast College fired by church over liberal same sex views|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/presbyterian-professor-at-belfast-college-fired-by-church-over-liberal-same-sex-views-1.3834464|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-30|website=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news|date=2019-03-25|title=Liberty of theological expression is challenged from left and right|work=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/erasmus/2019/03/25/liberty-of-theological-expression-is-challenged-from-left-and-right|access-date=2021-08-30|issn=0013-0613}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=4 May 2019|title='I'm ashamed of the Presbyterian Church... we have adopted a model of clerical control, while professing ourselves democratic, we've veered into an overly simplistic evangelicalism that doesn't resonate with ordinary people'|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/alf-mccreary/im-ashamed-of-the-presbyterian-church-we-have-adopted-a-model-of-clerical-control-while-professing-ourselves-democratic-weve-veered-into-an-overly-simplistic-evangelicalism-that-doesnt-resonate-with-ordinary-people-38076269.html|access-date=2021-08-30|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-04-14|title=Sacked professor considers leaving Presbyterian church|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47927034|access-date=2021-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=14 April 2019|title=Dismissed Presbyterian lecturer Rev Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick speaks out|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/dismissed-presbyterian-lecturer-rev-prof-laurence-kirkpatrick-speaks-out-985003|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-14|website=www.newsletter.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite news|date=7 September 2019|title=Sacked academic 'to sing like canary' at job tribunal|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sacked-academic-to-sing-like-canary-at-job-tribunal-38474624.html|access-date=2021-10-14|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> with some viewing this as “stifling public debate” and curtailing “academic freedom” by undermining academics in their “ability to express a range of opinions.”<ref name=":15" /> The Clerk of the General Assembly denied that ministers were being silenced but was unable to comment directly on these allegations as legal proceedings were underway.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-06-24 |title=Presbyterian clerk denies ministers are being silenced |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-44592516 |access-date=2021-08-30}}</ref>


Prior to the suspension of the Professor of Church History, it had been reported that “Queen’s remained non-committal over calls for change”,<ref name=":14" /> despite complaints that the Presbyterian church had become “narrow-minded and backward looking” and associated appeals that [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University]] “should now sever its relationship”<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Bain |first=Mark |date=14 June 2018 |title=Livid ex-Presbyterian cleric calls on QUB to sever ties with Church |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/livid-ex-presbyterian-cleric-calls-on-qub-to-sever-ties-with-church-37007560.html |access-date=2021-08-30 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> with Union Theological College or otherwise risk associated “reputational damage”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2018 |title=Presbyterian relationship with QUB under spotlight after church LGBT vote |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/presbyterian-relationship-qub-under-spotlight-after-church-lgbt-vote-1022289 |access-date=2021-08-30 |website=www.newsletter.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> However, the initial suspension of the Professor of Church History pursuant to his radio interview was understood to have then prompted [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University]] to re-examine its relationship with Union Theological College,<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=McNeilly |first=Claire |date=6 December 2018 |title=Urgent review looms for Union Theological College following highly critical report |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/urgent-review-looms-for-union-theological-college-following-highly-critical-report-37599601.html |access-date=2021-08-30}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite news |last=Leonard |first=Victoria |date=27 June 2018 |title=Queen's University of Belfast reviewing links to Presbyterian college as professor suspended |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/queens-university-of-belfast-reviewing-links-to-presbyterian-college-as-professor-suspended-37053480.html |access-date=2021-08-30 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> 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”.<ref name=":8" /> 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 Belfast|Queen’s University]] but also for allegedly bringing the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]] “into disrepute”,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=General Assembly 2019 Reports: Council for Training in Ministry (page 249)|url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/getmedia/9af99be8-a46b-4fcb-8187-b88fdbe2441b/09-Training-in-Ministry.pdf.aspx?ext=.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Young|first=David|date=17 May 2019|title=Presbyterian Church's treatment of academic 'like Inquisition'|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/presbyterian-churchs-treatment-of-academic-like-inquisition-38120166.html|access-date=2022-02-13|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":16" />
Prior to the suspension of the Professor of Church History, it had been reported that “Queen’s remained non-committal over calls for change”,<ref name=":14" /> despite complaints that the Presbyterian Church had become “narrow-minded and backward looking” and associated appeals that [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University]] “should now sever its relationship”<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Bain |first=Mark |date=14 June 2018 |title=Livid ex-Presbyterian cleric calls on QUB to sever ties with Church |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/livid-ex-presbyterian-cleric-calls-on-qub-to-sever-ties-with-church-37007560.html |access-date=2021-08-30 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> with Union Theological College or otherwise risk associated “reputational damage”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2018 |title=Presbyterian relationship with QUB under spotlight after church LGBT vote |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/presbyterian-relationship-qub-under-spotlight-after-church-lgbt-vote-1022289 |access-date=2021-08-30 |website=www.newsletter.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> However, the initial suspension of the Professor of Church History pursuant to his radio interview was understood to have then prompted [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University]] to re-examine its relationship with Union Theological College,<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=McNeilly |first=Claire |date=6 December 2018 |title=Urgent review looms for Union Theological College following highly critical report |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/urgent-review-looms-for-union-theological-college-following-highly-critical-report-37599601.html |access-date=2021-08-30}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite news |last=Leonard |first=Victoria |date=27 June 2018 |title=Queen's University of Belfast reviewing links to Presbyterian college as professor suspended |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/queens-university-of-belfast-reviewing-links-to-presbyterian-college-as-professor-suspended-37053480.html |access-date=2021-08-30 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> 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”.<ref name=":8" /> 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 Belfast|Queen’s University]] but also for allegedly bringing the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]] “into disrepute”,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=General Assembly 2019 Reports: Council for Training in Ministry (page 249)|url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/getmedia/9af99be8-a46b-4fcb-8187-b88fdbe2441b/09-Training-in-Ministry.pdf.aspx?ext=.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Young|first=David|date=17 May 2019|title=Presbyterian Church's treatment of academic 'like Inquisition'|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/presbyterian-churchs-treatment-of-academic-like-inquisition-38120166.html|access-date=2022-02-13|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":16" />
[[File:Slide montage.gif|thumb|Queens University Students attending service at Union Theological College]]
[[File:Slide montage.gif|thumb|Queens University Students attending service at Union Theological College]]


Revision as of 12:45, 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]

The 2019 the General Assembly appointed a Commission to consider recommendations from the Faculty and Management Committee of Union Theological College, and other relevant bodies, regarding the College’s future. Having considered these recommendations, the Commission was tasked with presenting firm and definite proposals to enable the 2020 General Assembly to make final decisions.[29]

In 2020 the General Assembly was unable to meet in person due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but members agreed via email to delegate authority to a Standing Commission of the General Assembly which approved a new partnership between Union Theological College and the Catholic St Mary's University, Twickenham for the awarding of undergraduate degrees.[30]

In January 2021, Alan McCormick took up the position of Operations Manager,[31] having previously worked in a similar capacity as director of operations at Belfast Bible College.

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.[32] Whereas a wider range of modules was offered to students in the past, previously including a “Graduate Certificate in Youth Ministry programme”,[33] the range of available modules had latterly been restricted “for reasons of financial viability”.[34]

In October 2021, the college began advertising a new undergraduate degree on its website, validated by St Mary's University, Twickenham,[35] which is committed to the mission of the Catholic Church in higher education.[36] The Presbyterian Church in Ireland requires that each professor of the college must subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith,[37] 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”.[38] 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."[39]

Whereas admission of prospective undergraduate students at Union Theological College was previously governed independently by Queen’s University Belfast,[40][41] 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.[42]

Postgraduate degrees are awarded by the Presbyterian Theological Faculty Ireland,[43] which has a 100% retention rate for residential courses and 90% for online courses.[44] While residential courses at Union Theological College can be paid for in sterling, online courses registered through BibleMesh require payment in United States dollars upon application.[45] Teaching for online courses is partly provided through online videos by various scholars[46][47][48][49] outside of the faculty at the college[50] many of which are already freely available on YouTube (e.g. Sinclair Ferguson,[51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61] Fred Sanders,[62][63][64][65][66][67] Tremper Longman III,[68][69][70][71] John N. Oswalt,[72][73] Craig Blomberg,[74][75][76][77][78] Bruce Longenecker[79] and Mark L. Strauss[80][81][82]). However other aspects of the teaching and all assessment of assignments and dissertation supervision is provided by the faculty.

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.[83]

Faculty

The faculty currently comprises three professors, of New Testament, Systematic Theology, and Ministry;[84] 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[85] but retired in December 2020[86] and was then succeeded in this role by Prof. W Gordon Campbell.[87]

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.[88] 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.[89] 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

More recently the Professor of Church History and former Principal[90][91][92] was sacked after 22 years of service for “gross misconduct” following a radio interview.[93] During that interview the Professor of Church History responded to a 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,[94][95] 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”.[95] The sacking of a professor on such grounds prompted widespread media coverage and public criticism from some quarters,[95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102][103] with some viewing this as “stifling public debate” and curtailing “academic freedom” by undermining academics in their “ability to express a range of opinions.”[104] The Clerk of the General Assembly denied that ministers were being silenced but was unable to comment directly on these allegations as legal proceedings were underway.[105]

Prior to the suspension of the Professor of Church History, it had been reported that “Queen’s remained non-committal over calls for change”,[106] 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”[106] with Union Theological College or otherwise risk associated “reputational damage”.[107] 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,[108][99][104] 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”,[93] 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,[109] 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.[103]

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[110][111][112][113] at a time when churches in Northern Ireland had already decided to close in response to increasing cases of COVID-19.[114] 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. ^ Trevor, Gribben (26 February 2020). "Union Theological College - future proposals". Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  30. ^ "Standing Commission meets to carry on GA's work". Presbyterian Church in Ireland. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  31. ^ "Annual Report and Enhancement Plan, page 15" (PDF). September 2021.
  32. ^ Institute of Theology - Graduation Celebration Event, Jul 27, 2021, retrieved 29 August 2021
  33. ^ "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)
  34. ^ "Educational Oversight: report of the monitoring visit of Union Theological College, May 2021" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ^ "BA (Hons) in Theology". Retrieved 8 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ^ "St Mary's as a Catholic University | St Mary's University". St Marys University. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  37. ^ "THE CODE: The book of the Constitution and Government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Section IV – The Theological College, page 111". 2021.
  38. ^ Assembly, Westminster. The Confession of Faith of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster.
  39. ^ "Presbyterian college considers Catholic university partnership". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  40. ^ "Presbyterian relationship with QUB under spotlight after church LGBT vote". www.newsletter.co.uk. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  41. ^ Meredith, Robbie (18 December 2018). "QUB will not admit new students to Union Theological College". BBC News. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  42. ^ "Union Theological College, HOW TO APPLY: Admissions 2022, Full-time BA Hons Theology, St Mary's University, Twickenham, London" (PDF). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  43. ^ "Courses". UTC. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  44. ^ "Annual Report and Enhancement Plan, page 5" (PDF). September 2021.
  45. ^ "Union Theological College: Apply Online". 6 March 2022.
  46. ^ "MTh in Reformed Theology". Union Theological College, Belfast. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  47. ^ "MTh in Old Testament - Union Theological College". www.union.ac.uk. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  48. ^ "MTh in New Testament". Union Theological College, Belfast. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  49. ^ "Postgraduate Certificate in Biblical Greek". Union Theological College, Belfast. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  50. ^ "Teaching Staff". Union Theological College, Belfast. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  51. ^ Sinclair Ferguson: Romans in 40 Minutes, retrieved 14 March 2022
  52. ^ Focusing on the Centre - Sinclair Ferguson, retrieved 14 March 2022
  53. ^ Sinclair Ferguson: The Priority of Worship, retrieved 14 March 2022
  54. ^ Sinclair Ferguson: A Reformation of the Heart, retrieved 14 March 2022
  55. ^ Sinclair Ferguson: The Lord Our God, The Lord Is One: The Simplicity of God, retrieved 14 March 2022
  56. ^ Sinclair Ferguson: The Substitutionary Atonement of Christ, retrieved 14 March 2022
  57. ^ Sinclair Ferguson: A Knowledge with No End: The Omniscience of God, retrieved 14 March 2022
  58. ^ Sinclair Ferguson: The Glory of the Promise, retrieved 14 March 2022
  59. ^ Sinclair Ferguson: The Sense of the Divine, retrieved 14 March 2022
  60. ^ Union with Christ: Life-Transforming Implications - Sinclair Ferguson, retrieved 14 March 2022
  61. ^ Sinclair Ferguson: The Nature of Saving Faith, retrieved 14 March 2022
  62. ^ Fred Sanders | 2022 Norton Lectures: "A Credal and Credible Account of Union with Christ", retrieved 14 March 2022
  63. ^ Fred Sanders: John Wesley: The Origin of Evil [Torrey Honors Context Lecture], retrieved 14 March 2022
  64. ^ Lecture - Fred Sanders (The Triune God of the Bible: Seeing the Trinity in Scripture), retrieved 14 March 2022
  65. ^ Fred Sanders: Theology of the Pastoral Epistles [Torrey Honors Lecture], retrieved 14 March 2022
  66. ^ Fred Sanders: The Theology of First John [Torrey Honors Context Lecture], retrieved 14 March 2022
  67. ^ Fred Sanders: Hearing Voices: The Trinity Speaking in the Old Testament [Torrey Lecture], retrieved 14 March 2022
  68. ^ Lecture - Tremper Longman III - God is a Warrior: Coming to Terms with Divine Violence in the OT, retrieved 14 March 2022
  69. ^ Dr. Tremper Longman III - Public Lecture, retrieved 14 March 2022
  70. ^ Creationism vs Evolution with Tremper Longman III (PhD, Yale University) May 9, 2019, retrieved 14 March 2022
  71. ^ 2014 Old Testament Lund Lecture (Part 1), retrieved 14 March 2022
  72. ^ Dr. John Oswalt, Isaiah, Session 1 -- Isaiah 1, retrieved 14 March 2022
  73. ^ Dr. John Oswalt, Session 1, Exodus 1-2, retrieved 14 March 2022
  74. ^ For the City: Craig L. Blomberg on "The Reliability of the New Testament", retrieved 14 March 2022
  75. ^ Craig Blomberg | A New Testament Theology of Image, retrieved 14 March 2022
  76. ^ Craig L. Blomberg, Denver Seminary, "A Celestial Commentary on 1 Corinthians", retrieved 14 March 2022
  77. ^ Craig Blomberg: Matthew In The 1st and 21st Centuries, retrieved 14 March 2022
  78. ^ The Historical Reliability of the Gospels- Dr. Craig Blomberg, retrieved 14 March 2022
  79. ^ Thinking through Paul Video Lectures, Chapter 6: Romans - Bruce W. Longenecker, retrieved 14 March 2022
  80. ^ The Gospels Conference with Mark Strauss (Friday Session 1), retrieved 14 March 2022
  81. ^ Pastor Jim and Dr. Mark Strauss -Philippians LJCF, retrieved 14 March 2022
  82. ^ How to Read the Bible in Changing Times | Dr. Mark Strauss, retrieved 14 March 2022
  83. ^ Campbell, Gordon (25 February 2022). "KLC PhD Supervision in Partnership with Union Theological College". Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  84. ^ "Annual Report and Enhancement Plan, page 16" (PDF). September 2021.
  85. ^ "Minister's pledge to help women in his new role". www.portadowntimes.co.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  86. ^ "Very Rev Dr Stafford Carson". Union Theological College, Belfast. Retrieved 29 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  87. ^ "Union College's new university link-up after break with QUB". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  88. ^ Allen, R (1954). The Presbyterian College, Belfast, 1853-1953.
  89. ^ "The Dictionary of Ulster Biography". www.newulsterbiography.co.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  90. ^ "General Assembly Annual Reports, 2007 (pages 3 & 41)" (PDF). Retrieved 14 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  91. ^ "General Assembly Annual Reports, 2008 (pages 21-22)". Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  92. ^ "Mission Countries: China". Retrieved 14 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  93. ^ a b "General Assembly 2019 Reports: Council for Training in Ministry (page 249)" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  94. ^ Bain, Mark (15 April 2019). "Lecturer sacked by Presbyterian college over radio remarks says he may quit Church". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  95. ^ a b c "Presbyterian church dismisses Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick for 'adverse' comments on BBC about his employer". www.newsletter.co.uk. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  96. ^ "Presbyterian minister fired from college over 'gross misconduct'". BBC News. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  97. ^ "Belfast theological college professor fired over BBC radio comments". belfasttelegraph. 21 March 2019. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  98. ^ McGarry, Patsy (22 March 2019). "Presbyterian professor at Belfast College fired by church over liberal same sex views". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  99. ^ a b "Liberty of theological expression is challenged from left and right". The Economist. 25 March 2019. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  100. ^ "'I'm ashamed of the Presbyterian Church... we have adopted a model of clerical control, while professing ourselves democratic, we've veered into an overly simplistic evangelicalism that doesn't resonate with ordinary people'". belfasttelegraph. 4 May 2019. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  101. ^ "Sacked professor considers leaving Presbyterian church". BBC News. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  102. ^ "Dismissed Presbyterian lecturer Rev Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick speaks out". www.newsletter.co.uk. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  103. ^ a b "Sacked academic 'to sing like canary' at job tribunal". belfasttelegraph. 7 September 2019. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  104. ^ a b Leonard, Victoria (27 June 2018). "Queen's University of Belfast reviewing links to Presbyterian college as professor suspended". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  105. ^ "Presbyterian clerk denies ministers are being silenced". BBC News. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  106. ^ a b Bain, Mark (14 June 2018). "Livid ex-Presbyterian cleric calls on QUB to sever ties with Church". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  107. ^ "Presbyterian relationship with QUB under spotlight after church LGBT vote". www.newsletter.co.uk. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  108. ^ McNeilly, Claire (6 December 2018). "Urgent review looms for Union Theological College following highly critical report". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  109. ^ Young, David (17 May 2019). "Presbyterian Church's treatment of academic 'like Inquisition'". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  110. ^ GOLIpress (17 January 2021). "CentenNIal Service". GOLI. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  111. ^ "Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland CentenNIal Service". 17 January 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  112. ^ Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland - Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland CentenNIal Service | Facebook, retrieved 26 September 2021
  113. ^ "First CentenNIal service attracts a global audience" (PDF). The Orange Standard Newspaper. February 2021. p. 2.
  114. ^ Beattie, Jilly (7 January 2021). "Northern Ireland churches to close amid spike in Covid-19 cases". BelfastLive. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Union Theological College, Belfast.
Preceded by Home of the
Parliament of Northern Ireland
1921 – 1932 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Union_Theological_College&oldid=1077268616"