Lincoln Theological College

Founded by Edward White Benson, when he was Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral, the college opened on 25 January 1874. It was also known as Scholae Cancellarii. The building it occupied on Drury Lane, which was originally the county infirmary, closed in 1995 after having its permit as a college recognised for ordination training withdrawn by the Church of England owing to reduced numbers of residential ordination candidates nationally, with an increasing number training on part-time non-residential courses. The college had wanted to remain open, developing itself as a research institution, possibly affiliated to a nearby university. The buildings are now owned by the Lincoln Theological Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (a registered charity), based at the University of Manchester, established in 1997 by Martyn Percy.

Once Lincoln Theological College had closed, the only Anglican theological college in the East Midlands offering training for those entering stipendiary ministry was St John's College, Nottingham, in Bramcote.

At the time of closure the Scholae Cancellarii offered training leading to externally validated and conferred BTh and MA degrees.

Lincoln Theological College worked closely with the then-named Bishop Grossteste College, which at the time was a Church of England teacher training college, and shared courses. It also worked with the University of Nottingham, which validated the BEd degrees of BGC.

In 2009 a School of Theology and Ministry Studies was formed following the signing, in Lincoln Cathedral, of an agreement between the University of Lincoln, Bishop Grosseteste University College, the Diocese of Lincoln and Lincoln Cathedral on 14 November 2009.[1][2]

The College's chapel

The college's former building on Drury Lane was renamed Chad Varah House,[3] in honour of the Samaritans' founder, who was educated at the college and served his title in Lincoln. The building itself is a Grade II Listed building. The original County Hospital was built 1776–77, designed by John Carr of York and William Lumby. The Chapel was added in 1906, by architect Temple Moore. At some point in the late 19th century a large house and water tower were added, and in 1962 the building was extended at the rear.[4]

• Edward White Benson, D.D. chancellor of Lincoln. (1875). Scholae cancellarii (training of candidates for holy orders at Lincoln : a letter to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of the Diocese). High Street in Lincoln: James Williamson, printer. Retrieved 2 August 2013.

• Lincoln Theological Institute – based in Manchester