Meadville Lombard Theological School
The Meadville Lombard Theological School is a result of a merger in the 1930s between a Unitarian and a Universalist institution. Unlike the more academic school at Harvard Divinity School, with a new professorship in Unitarian Universalist studies,[1] Meadville Lombard offers a limited number of scholarships. Meadville Lombard Theological School is also in competition with its sister seminary, Starr King School for the Ministry.[2]
The Meadville Theological School was founded in 1844 in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Most of the original funding came from a recent convert to Unitarianism, a wealthy businessman named Harm Jan Huidekoper.
The Meadville Theological School moved to Chicago and became affiliated with the University of Chicago in 1926. It began construction on its permanent building in 1929. The school merged with the Universalist Divinity School of Lombard College in 1930 and became known as the Meadville Lombard Theological School.
The school offers Master of Divinity programs for candidates for the ministry in the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Canadian Unitarian Council. The Doctor of Ministry and programs for religious educators and other lay leaders are also available.
The school is affiliated with the Association of Chicago Theological Schools. Students are cross-registered at the University of Chicago.