Bexley Hall - History

History

The seminary was established in 1824 by Bishop Philander Chase in conjunction with the establishment of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Bexley Hall was later identified separately, and was named in honour of Nicholas Vansittart, 1st Baron Bexley, an early benefactor of Kenyon College.

Bexley Hall disassociated with Kenyon in 1968 and moved from Gambier to Rochester, New York where it affiliated with Colgate Rochester Divinity School (which since became Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.) Although the seminary is no longer affiliated with Kenyon College, the 1839 seminary building in Gambier now houses fine art facilities for Kenyon, and is still known as Bexley Hall.

After 30 years in New York state, in 1998, Bexley Hall re-established a campus in Ohio through a partnership with Trinity Lutheran Seminary of Columbus, in a suburb coincidentally named Bexley. In February 2008, the dean announced the May closure of the Rochester campus, citing falling student numbers and more stringent accreditation requirements. Bexley Hall is situated adjacent to the Capital University campus, a liberal arts institution with undergraduate, graduate and professional school divisions. In addition to its relationship with Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Bexley Hall has developed partnerships with the Pontifical College Josephinum and the Methodist Theological School in Ohio that give students registration access to selected classes. Additionally, a collaborative relationship has been developed with Seabury-Western Theological Seminary that will enhance the seminary's operational capacity.