Pilgrim Theological College

Pilgrim Theological College is an initiative of the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, providing a rich tapestry of ecumenical theological education under the leadership of a Faculty of eminent scholars.

Welcome

Pilgrim serves the church by providing educational and formation programs for all who are engaged in Christian service. However, it has a special responsibility for preparing women and men who have been recognised as candidates for the Ministry of Word and Ministry of Deacon within the UCA.

In doing this work, Pilgrim Theological College recognises that:

• Each person who feels called to Ministry of the Word or Ministry of Deacon is different. Therefore a program of formation should take a person’s background, experience, circumstances, and prior learning into account.
• Formation is of the whole person. Therefore the College seeks to provide formation programs that integrate classroom learning, experience and skills with personal and spiritual development.
• Ministry is always exercised within a specific cultural context and also within the multicultural context of church and society in Australia. Therefore any formation program should include exposure to different cultural contexts and to the diversity of viewpoints, values and practices that accompany them.

History

Pilgrim Theological College, inaugurated in September 2014, has evolved from the Uniting Church Theological College, which was a partner teaching institution of the United Faculty of Theology (UFT).

The UFT was formed in 1973 when the theological colleges of the Anglican, Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian churches joined with Jesuit Theological College to pool their teaching resources.

These theological colleges were part of the Melbourne College of Divinity, which was founded in 1910.

In 1977 the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian churches combined to form the Uniting Church of Australia and, from this union, the Uniting Church Theological College was formed.

From then, the UFT comprised the Uniting Church Theological College, Jesuit Theological College and Trinity College Theological School.
In 2012 the Melbourne College of Divinity gained university status and from 2014 began operating as the University of Divinity.

During 2013 it was decided the UFT would close and two of its three partners – the Uniting Church Theological College and Trinity College Theological School – would become independent colleges of the University of Divinity. Jesuit Theological College chose to cease operations as a teaching institute.

In 2014 the pronouncement was realised, with the Uniting Church Theological College being transformed into Pilgrim Theological College within the Centre for Theology and Ministry, a vibrant hub of educational advancement.

Pilgrim Campus

Situated within the Centre for Theology and Ministry in Parkville, Melbourne, Pilgrim is located in an appealing setting, just three kilometres from the CBD and on the perimeter of the Princes Parklands and Melbourne University.

Pilgrim is located on the sovereign and unceded country of the Wurundjeri nation. We pay our respects to their elders, who have cared for this country since its creation, and commit ourselves to work towards a more just settlement for all Indigenous people.

Facilities available to students

• Student lounge
• Student kitchen
• On-site café, Sage and Grace, open 9-3pm weekdays
• Free WiFi
• Chapel available for private prayer during opening hours
• Quiet study spaces available in the library

Dalton McCaughey Library

Located alongside the Centre for Theology and Ministry, The Dalton McCaughey Library supports and enriches the teaching and research programs of the University of Divinity and Pilgrim Theological College. The library has substantial resources for theological study and research at all levels, with around 140,000 volumes of printed monographs and periodicals, complemented by a growing list of resources in electronic format. The collection is especially strong in biblical studies, systematic and practical theology, church history and philosophy.