Palmer Theological Seminary

Palmer Theological Seminary was founded in 1925 as Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Originally located on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it moved in 1940 to its present location in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, just across the street from the city boundary. Over the years, the Seminary has been best known for combining evangelical theology with the affirmation of women in ministry and strong commitments to social justice and ethnic diversity. From the beginning, the Seminary welcomed female students regardless of their area of interest. The Seminary's essential values are captured by its founding motto, "The Whole Gospel for the Whole World."

At its inception, the Seminary established a collegiate division in order to serve who lacked the academic preparation for seminary-level courses. This eventually evolved into Eastern Baptist College, founded in 1952. What was once Eastern Baptist College is now Eastern University. In 2004, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary re-merged with Eastern University. The following year, the Seminary changed its name to Palmer Theological Seminary in honor of its longest serving president (1936-48), Gordon Palmer.

Though affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA, Palmer Seminary for all intents and purposes is multidenominational. United Methodists, Presbyterians, Mennonites, African Methodist Episcopalians, and other Protestant church denominations are well represented both on the Palmer faculty and in its student body.

The Campus and Community

The main building on the Palmer campus, located at 6 E Lancaster Ave in Wynnewood, PA was once a resort hotel. The first floor of the building was renovated in order to accommodate staff offices and classrooms. The three upper floors serve as apartments or dorms for students and for some members of the Seminary's faculty and staff. Palmer's Laws Memorial Chapel building was constucted in the early 1950s with money donated by the late Marguerite Treat Doane. In addition a sanctuary, the chapel features classrooms and some faculty offices.

While the majority of students commute to and from Palmer, a thriving group of students who reside on campus seek to create and foster a healthy sense of community at the Seminary, even in the midst of some significant controversy over dishwashing responsibilities in the community kitchen! In 2008, the countries represented by students living on campus include Canada, South Korea, India, South Africa, Australia, and Tibet.

Musical discoveries at the seminary

In July of 2005 an 80-page Beethoven manuscript of a piano four hands version of the Grosse Fugue was discovered in the library archives by one of the librarians. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/10/12/news/beethoven.php "Beethoven manuscript, lost 115 years, is found", "International Herald Tribune", October 13, 2005] ] [ [http://www.eastern.edu/news/releases/05_releases/Seminary_Discovers_Beethoven_Music_101305.shtml "PALMER SEMINARY DISCOVERS IMPORTANT BEETHOVEN MUSIC MANUSCRIPT", article at Eastern University web site] ] The manuscript was authenticated by Dr. Jeffrey Kallberg at the University of Pennsylvania and by Dr. Stephen Roe, head of Sotheby's Manuscript Department. Lost from view for well over 100 years, it is thought by some to be one of the most important musicological finds in recent years. The event strangely paralleled the earlier find on July 31, 1990 of a Mozart manuscript, which had been donated to the seminary in 1951 by Marguerite Treat Doane. It was rediscovered along with some lesser manuscripts of the same period. The Beethoven manuscript was auctioned by Sotheby's in London on December 1, 2005 for US$1.72 million to an anonymous bidder later revealed to be Bruce Kovner.

Notable Faculty and Alumni

* Ron Sider
* Craig Keener
* Samuel Escobar
* Barry Black (United States Senate Chaplain)
* Tony Campolo
* William Borror
* Donald J. Brash
* Deborah Watson
* Deborah Spink
* George Hancock-Stefan
* Peter C. Wool
* Al Tizon

References

External links

* [http://www.palmerseminary.edu/ Palmer Theological Seminary website]