Crane Theological School

Crane Theological School
Former names
Tufts College Divinity School, Tufts College School of Religion
Typeseminary
Active1869–1968
AffiliationUniversalist
Location
Medford
,
Massachusetts
Tufts in 1910, with Goddard Chapel visible at left, and Miner Hall at right

The Crane Theological School was a Universalist seminary at Tufts University founded in 1869 as the Tufts College Divinity School and closed in 1968.[1] It was one of three Universalist seminaries founded in America during the nineteenth century, along with the Theological School of St. Lawrence University and the Ryder Divinity School at Lombard College. During its history, it granted 281 Bachelor of Divinity degrees (some in religious education), 152 Bachelor of Sacred Theology degrees, and two Masters of Religious Education, for a total of 435 degrees.[2]

The name changed multiple times. Founded as "Tufts College Divinity School", it became "Crane Theological School" in 1906 upon Albert Crane's gift of $100,000 in 1906 in honor of his father, Thomas.[3] In 1925, the school became officially the "Tufts College School of Religion - Crane Theological School," after extensive discussions, including a conference with the widow of Albert Crane.[4] By the 1960s, the name had shortened again to "Crane Theological School". The Crane Chapel remains part of the Tufts campus as the Crane Room.

The school was one of the Associated Schools of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences from 1903-1962 and 1965-1968. The school was never officially denominationally controlled, nor was it accredited by the American Association of Theological Schools.[5]

  1. ^ Reich, David (Spring 2002). "Founding Fathers: Tufts and the Universalist Tradition". Tufts Magazine. Vol. IX, no. III.
  2. ^ Miller, Russell E. (1979). The Larger Hope: The First Century of the Universalist Church in America, 1770-1870. Unitarian Universalist Association. p. 274. ISBN 978-0933840003.
  3. ^ "Philip Schaff: Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia Vol.: 0415=393 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library". The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. Vol. 11. Funk & Wagnalls. May 1908. pp. 393–394. Retrieved 2014-12-19.
  4. ^ Miller, Russell E. (1966). Light on the Hill: A History of Tufts College 1852-1952. Vol. I. Boston: Beacon Press. p. 536. Archived from the original on 2014-12-20. Retrieved 2014-12-19.
  5. ^ Miller 1979, p. 275.