UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Thus far in this report, Methodist institutional work has been scarcely touched upon. Let us now turn to it.

One of the most significant institutions contributing to the life of the entire Evangelical movement in the Philippines is Union Theological Seminary. As was stated earlier, Union was founded in 1907 by the Methodist and Presbyterian missions, when the Florence B. Nicholson Seminary (organized in 1906 at Dagupan) and the Ellinwood Bible Training School (organized in 1905 in Manila) were merged into one union institution devoted to theological education. In 1911, the United Brethren Church joined; in 1916 the Disciples joined; and in 1919 the Congregationalists joined. Union Theological Seminary, representing a number of major denominations, thus took its place among other Union Seminaries throughout the world.

At the beginning the work was quite elementary and all the courses were taught in Spanish. By 1912, however, English had become the medium of instruction. At first, only graduation from Intermediate school was required for entrance. Later a high school education was necessary and eventually, two years of college were required.¹¹⁵

The Seminary was legally incorporated in 1919; and then it began to add college courses, both for pre-theological students and other students seeking education in a Christian college. The College Department became Union College and then a four-year high school, known as Union High School, came into being. There was also added a "Bible Training Course" for those not academically prepared for the seminary curriculum.

In 1926, the Seminary moved to the Taft Avenue location and within the next fifteen years, the high school and college departments moved to different locations, eventually becoming Philippine Christian Colleges.¹¹⁶

Union Seminary has been at the center of Evangelical theological education in the Philippines since its inception. At first under missionary leadership and then Filipino leadership, it has maintained over the years high standards of excellence. The first president was Dr. George Wright, elected in 1920, and the first Filipino president was Dr. Benjamin I. Guansing, elected in 1952. Dr. Guansing, a Methodist with specialized graduate training at Union Theological Seminary of New York and Teachers' College, Columbia University, has given pioneering leadership in ecumenical and academic ventures in the Philippines in recent years. He served in local pastorates for nineteen years, including a wartime ministry at Central Church, before being appointed professor of religious education at Union Theological Seminary (Manila) in 1945. In addition to many responsibilities in his own denomination, Benjamin Guansing has served as editor of the Philippine Christian Advance; editor of the Philippines Christian Year Book; Chairman of 'the First Asian Conference on Industrial Evangelism; president of the Philippine Association of Theological Schools; and president of the Association of Theological Schools in Southeast Asia. In 1958, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the Tokyo Union Theological Seminary of Japan.

The seminary offers five degrees – Bachelor of Divinity, Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Religious Education, Bachelor of Religious Education-Sacred Music Major, and Bachelor of Sacred Music. In addition to its theological curriculum, it has a strong Department of Sacred Music; it conducts Regional Seminars for ministers all over the Philippines; and its professors are producing an increasing number of books and various scholarly articles for Christian publications. All of its faculty members have pursued graduate study abroad. Union Seminary is a member of the Association of Theological Schools in Southeast Asia and is an affiliate member of the American Association of Theological Schools; its position as a leader in theological education in Asia is widely recognized.

In June of 1962 the seminary transferred to a new campus near Dasmarinas, Cavite, just south of Manila. The 97 hectare campus property, which provides a spacious, quiet and cool setting for the entire seminary community, was a gift of the Board of Founders of Nanking Theological Seminary.

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