Trinity College

Students in Theology and Religious Studies that are candidates for the Church ministry are under the special supervision of Trinity College through its Principal and academic senate. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland appoints the Principal. The College is the official channel of liaison between Theology & Religious Studies, the Church of Scotland, and the continuing United Free Church of Scotland.

Through the connection with Trinity College, various useful resources are made available for the teaching of theology and student welfare in Theology & Religious Studies. For example, the valuable library of the College was incorporated into the University Library after 1976 and includes a large selection of works not in possession of the University Library. Further, the College funds a permanent lectureship in practical theology, intermittent guest lectureships, a subject area reference library ('Divinity Workshop'), supplementary provision for additional book and periodical acquisitions in the University Library, some travel bursaries, prizes and hardship assistance, a Church Secretary, as well as hospitality support for social events involving everyone connected with Theology & Religious Studies.

The History of Trinity College

In Glasgow, as elsewhere in Scotland and throughout Europe, the study of theology followed the old tradition of being offered in a multi-faculty university rather than in a separate seminary or Church college.

From 1451 to 1567, theology at Glasgow University was linked to the requirements of the Roman Catholic Church, whose Pope had issued the founding charter in 1451.  It’s most noted teacher and University Principal was the Scholastic theologian, John Major or Mair.  After the Reformation in 1560, the provision of theological education was linked to the Church of Scotland (predominantly Reformed and Presbyterian).  Some notable teachers were Andrew Melville, John Cameron, Robert Baillie, Gilbert Burnet, Francis Hutcheson (the philosopher-theologian), and John Caird.

In the nineteenth century, a schism within the Church of Scotland occurred resulting in the creation of the Free Church of Scotland. The Free Church also established its own colleges or seminaries detached from the universities for the education of its ministers, as well as for the theological education of female medical missionaries. The Glasgow College, funded by local subscription, was established in 1856.  This multi-disciplinary institution of considerable reputation existed outside of continuing university Faculty of Theology. Later, in 1930 following the reunion of the churches and theological teaching facilities, the Glasgow Church college was renamed 'Trinity College.' Some notable teachers in the pre-1930 College included Archibald B. Bruce, James Denney, Thomas M. Lindsay. George A. Smith, James Moffatt, Henry Drummond, James Orr, and in the modern era within the reunited faculty, John Macquarrie, Ronald Gregor Smith, William McKane, William H.C. Frend, Ernest P. Best, William Barclay, John Zizioulas and Robert P. Carroll.

After the reunion of the main Scottish Presbyterian churches in 1929/30, the two teaching facilities in the University and the Church College were reintegrated. From 1976, when the Church-owned Trinity College buildings at Park Circus, were finally vacated, all teaching of theology took place in the university Divinity Faculty.  Accordingly, while 'Trinity College' still exists, it is a body without walls. 

The identity of what since 2002 has been called the 'School of Divinity' in the Faculty of Arts remains in practice dual. Firstly, as a university School teaching theology and religious studies, it is completely non-confessional and so open to everyone. Secondly, the association with the Church of Scotland is retained with the recognition of the continuing autonomous existence of 'Trinity College.' Cooperation with the College and the Church is part of the School’s stated aims, and is constituted ultimately by parliamentary statute as a form of 'concordat.'

Until quite recent times, the University Faculty and Trinity College were effectively co-extensive.  Most students were candidates for the ministry of the Church of Scotland or other Presbyterian churches, and to which also most staff also belonged.  That has now changed.  In the School of Divinity, currently about 15% percent of students are ministry candidates, mainly Church of Scotland.

Through the connection with Trinity College, various useful resources are made available for the teaching of theology and student welfare in the university Divinity School.  For example, after 1976, the valuable library of the College was incorporated into the University Library including a large selection of works not in possession of the University quest lectureships, a subject area reference library ('Divinity Workshop'), supplementary provision for additional book and periodical acquisitions in the University Library, some travel bursaries for study at Princeton and at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in Switzerland, prizes and hardship assistance, a Church Secretary, as well as hospitality support for social events involving everyone connected with the Divinity School.

The financial assets of Trinity College belong to the Church of Scotland, and are disbursed through a Glasgow law firm, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, and the College Senate.

Current Trinity College Office-bearers:

Further background reading:

• Stewart Mechie, Trinity College Glasgow 1856-1956, London & Glasgow 1956.
• W. Ian P Hazlett (ed.), Traditions of Theology in Glasgow 1450-1990, Edinburgh 1993.
• D. Wright, 'Trinity College Glasgow,' in Dictionary of Scottish Church History & Theology, Edinburgh 1991.