Canada Connection - Theological colleges (Ontario)
image: The Anglican Church of Canada's map of Canadian dioceses and provinces, from anglican.ca (modified to highlight the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario)
In the week of 6 June we pray for the theological colleges and training programs within the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario:
Canterbury College (University of Windsor):
' “Canterbury began as a venture of faith due in large measure to the farsighted vision of the late Anglican Bishop Luxton of Huron, of the late Roman Catholic Bishop Cody of London, of the desire of the Basilian Fathers to serve the growing number of students of other Christian traditions, and to the dedication and enthusiasm of a group of Essex County Anglican laymen and laywomen.” The Rev. Canon R. S. Rayson, M.A., D.D., 1st Principal of Canterbury College. The College was incorporated in June of 1957, appointed its first Principal, Canon Rayson, in September of 1957, and on the 4th of November, 1957, the historic affiliation agreement with Assumption University of Windsor, was signed, making Canterbury the first Anglican College in the world to affiliate with a Roman Catholic University...
"In December of 1962, after much work, a secular University of Windsor was incorporated by the Ontario Legislature. In December of 1963, Canterbury College, which now had 245 students registered in twelve courses, joined with Assumption University of Windsor, Holy Redeemer College, and the new Iona College (United Church Affiliate), in an affiliation agreement with the University of Windsor...
"The new focus of Canterbury College was to maintain and develop a viable Christian presence within the rapidly secularizing University setting. This presence has allowed Canterbury College to continue to provide an environment in which a love and understanding for all cultures and nationalities is fostered, in which students are encouraged to live together and grow as a caring community in which an atmosphere conducive to learning is fostered and in which students can develop lasting friendships." [source and more information]
Huron College (University of Western Ontario):
"Huron began as a theological college and was founded by Bishop Benjamin Cronyn in 1863... In 1878, Bishop Hellmuth applied to the Provincial Government for the incorporation of “a College with University powers” and on March 7, 1878, a charter was granted to “the Western University of London, Ontario” later to become The University of Western Ontario. The Act authorized the affiliation of Huron College with the University and since this time Huron has retained its relationship with Western. ...
"From the moment that first class of 13 students sat down with their teacher, Isaac Hellmuth, in the winter of 1863, Huron has been a people place, known for its small classes, individual attention from faculty, and commitment to academic excellence. Huron has grown to become one of Canada’s leading university institutions, one where students are encouraged to grow intellectually and personally in a supportive, involving and challenging community environment." [source and more information]
Renison College (University of Waterloo):
"Renison was founded on January 14, 1959 under the authority of the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Huron, due to the efforts of the Kitchener and Waterloo Anglican communities. Renison continues to enjoy support from the Anglican community and, in particular, from within the Diocese. It was named in memory of The Most Reverend Robert John Renison (1875-1957), a former Metropolitan of Ontario and Archbishop of Moosonee, which is why today our mascot is "Reni Moose." On July 1, 1960, Renison struck an affiliation agreement with the University of Waterloo for the right to offer programs in Arts and the Social Sciences for credit towards a Bachelor of Arts degree from uWaterloo." [source and more information]
the Anglican Studies Program at Saint Paul University
"The Anglican Studies Program was established by the Faculty of Theology at Saint Paul University and the (Anglican) Diocese of Ottawa in 1981 to prepare candidates for both lay and ordained ministries in the Anglican Church through university-level theological formation. While the formation of postulants for ordination remains integral to the Anglican Studies Program, many other Anglicans from the Diocese of Ottawa and beyond find themselves at the University.
"The Anglican Studies Program belongs to the network of Anglican colleges and universities of Canada, and is a member of the Ontario Provincial Commission on Theological Education (Anglican Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario)." [source and more information]
Thorneloe University (at Laurentian University)
"In 1960 and 1961 respectively, Huntington University and Thorneloe University were founded and joined with the University of Sudbury in the Laurentian Federation." [source] Thorneloe is an "Anglican federated institution of Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The university offers programs in fine arts including music (in conjunction with Laurentian University), theatre performance, theatre production (in conjunction with Cambrian College) and film production, religious studies, classical studies, women's studies and theatre arts. Thorneloe University also offers a certificate, diploma, and bachelor's degree in theology." [source: Wikipedia]
Trinity College (University of Toronto)
"Trinity College was founded in 1851 by John Strachan, the first Anglican Bishop of Toronto, and opened in 1852. ...The first woman student was admitted in 1884, and four years later Trinity established St. Hilda’s College for women, putting Trinity at the forefront of the movement for higher education for women.
"Trinity played an important role in the intellectual, social, and religious life of the region as an independent university until 1904, conferring degrees in seven faculties – Arts, Divinity, Medicine, Law, Music, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. In 1904, Trinity federated with the University of Toronto and became part of what is now known as the Faculty of Arts & Science. Trinity ceased to give instruction in faculties other than Arts and Divinity. Under the terms of the federation agreement, degrees in Arts are conferred by the University of Toronto. After 1904, the College has continued to exercise the rights of an independent university with respect to its Faculty of Divinity. Trinity provides for the instruction of its theological students, and confers its own degrees in theology." [source and more information]
Wycliffe College (University of Toronto)
"Wycliffe College was founded in 1877 by a local Anglican evangelical organization called the Church Association of the Diocese of Toronto. This group, primarily a lay movement centred at St. James' Cathedral, had been formed in 1873 after a clerical faction in the diocesan synod had campaigned to exclude evangelicals from important diocesan offices and committees. The Association championed the doctrinal points of the English Reformation, and, applying these principles to its immediate context, maintained the rights of the laity in Church governance, simplicity in worship, and ecumenical relations with other Protestant denominations, especially in post-secondary education...
"Wycliffe was incorporated in 1879 for the purpose of 'providing for the training of theological students in accordance with the principles of the Reformation as embodied in the Articles of the Church of England "... "In 1885 the College was affiliated to the University, and in 1889 it became one of the federated colleges. In 1891 the College moved to its present site on Hoskin Avenue, and was formally approved by the Church as an Anglican theological college." [source and more information]
Do you have connections with these places and programs? We'd love to hear about them!