Trinity's history is rich and varied, spanning over a century and a half. In 1830, the "German Theological Seminary" of the Ohio Synod, later known as the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary, was founded to meet the need for educating pastors in the Ohio region. It began its life at Canton but soon moved to Columbus. During its first decade it had but one theological professor, Wilhelm Schmidt.

In 1840, Ohio Lutheranism suffered schism. The English Synod of Ohio and the Joint Synod of Ohio represented the two halves of the church that emerged, and that eventually became part of the Lutheran Church in America and the American Lutheran Church respectively.

In 1845, the English Synod of Ohio founded Wittenberg College at Springfield. From the beginning it was designed to provide pastors for the church as well as members of other professions. Ezra Keller was the first theological professor, and first president, of the fledgling college. In 1906 the theological department was named Hamma Divinity School in recognition of the generosity of Michael and Almira Hamma. In 1964 Hamma received a large measure of autonomy within the Wittenberg structure and was renamed Hamma School of Theology.

By the early twentieth century, Hamma and ELTS had converged in many ways. They were united by a shared allegiance to the Lutheran Confessions, by the Common Service used by several Lutheran bodies in North America, and by much common history. They were still divided, however, by their respective ecclesiastical affiliations.

As the American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church in America came to work closely together in theological education in the 1960s and 1970s, it became apparent that in the long run there should be only one Lutheran seminary in Ohio. In 1974, the decision was made that Hamma and ELTS should consolidate even before merger by the national churches. Trinity Lutheran Seminary opened its doors on September 1, 1978.

As a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, successor to the ALC and the LCA, Trinity stands essentially for that which its predecessors, ELTS and Hamma, stood for--commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, to educational excellence, and to thorough preparation for Christian service.

Mission

Trinity Lutheran Seminary has a strong commitment to theological education and ministry preparation. This enduring commitment prompts us to ask how Trinity, as a community, contributes to the vitality and life of Christ’s church and the mission of the gospel for the world today?

As a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Trinity faces both old and new challenges as it prepares leaders for the church. The challenge is “old” in that the message of the gospel remains unchanged: It is the message of the inclusive love, hope and salvation for all people.

The “new” is in the challenge the church faces with each generation. Houston Smith reminds us in Why Religion Matters that the single common crisis and challenge of the day is the spiritual condition of the modern world. So, then, how do Bible texts and theological discourse shape our spiritual witness for the world? Such is the work before us.

Trinity Lutheran Seminary forms leaders for Christ's church at work in the world.

I invite you to join in the adventure of speaking and living the gospel truth for today -- in today's world. My invitation is one of challenge and demand. Ministry, in whatever form, is hard work. God calls us to this work. We respond because of what God has done for us, and because the church needs us.


Mark R. Ramseth
President