About Trinity College at Glasgow

In Glasgow, as elsewhere in Scotland and in other parts of Europe, the study of theology in order to become an ordained minister, 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 (Reformed and Presbyterian).  Some notable teachers were Andrew Melville, John Cameron, Robert Baillie, Gilbert Burnet, Francis Hutcheson (the philosopher-theologian), and John Caird.

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​In 1843, a schism within the Church of Scotland occurred resulting in the creation of the Free Church of Scotland. The Free Church established its own colleges or seminaries separate from the ancient universities for the education of its ministers, as well as for the theological education of female medical missionaries. The Glasgow College, which would become Trinity College, was established in 1856 and funded by local subscription.

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This multi-disciplinary institution of considerable reputation existed outside of the continuing university Faculty of Divinity, through which Church of Scotland ministers continued to be trained. In 1930, following the 1929 reunion of the United Free Church and the Church of Scotland and the merging of their 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. In the modern era within the reunited faculty, notable teachers have included John Macquarrie, Ronald Gregor Smith, William McKane, William H.C. Frend, Ernest P. Best, William Barclay, John Zizioulas, Robert P. Carroll, John Riches, John Barclay and Ian Hazlett. Belatedly, the academic life of the College was enriched by the appointment of women scholars across the range of disciplines including Heather Walton, Yvonne Sherwood, Julie Clague, Lesley Orr, Sarah Nicholson and Charlotte Methuen.

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​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, although the College remained a separate charity. After 1976, when the Church-owned Trinity College buildings at Park Circus were finally vacated, all teaching of theology took place within the University buildings on Gilmorehill.  After 2002, the Faculty of Divinity became known as the ‘School of Divinity’ in the Faculty of Arts and from 2010, Theology & Religious Studies has become a subject area within the School of Critical Studies. ​ In 2018, Trinity College re-established a physical presence for the first time since 1976, within Wellington Church.​

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In 1976, the extremely valuable library and archives of Trinity College were deposited with Glasgow University Library, although all valuable and rare items remain the property of the Church of Scotland.

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Further Reading:

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• 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.