The Presbyterian College, Montreal
Encyclopedia
The Presbyterian College/Le Collège Presbytérien, 3495 University Avenue, Montreal
, Quebec
, is a Theological College of the Presbyterian Church in Canada
, and is affiliated with McGill University
through their Faculty of Religious Studies. Presbyterian College's Student base is from right across Canada, as well as from international students.
, located in Toronto.
Lay leadership in this cause came from prominent Montrealers John Redpath
and McGill Principal John William Dawson
.
Classes began in the autumn of 1867 in the basement of Erskine Presbyterian Church in downtown Montreal, with Professor (later Principal) Donald Harvey MacVicar.
The College remained within the Presbyterian Church in Canada
after church union
, although most of the faculty departed. The 1925-1926 academic year was held from the Anglican Diocesian College, until the provincial Quebec
Courts awarded the College back to the "continuing" Presbyterians.
During World War II
, Presbyterian College was used for soldier training, and temporarily moved to Toronto, Ontario, and joined with Knox College, from 1943-1946.
By the 1950s, the older buildings were in need of repair; rather than embarking on lengthy renovations, Presbyterian College and McGill University transferred lands, the University took the McTavish Street site, and Presbyterian College constructed a new building on the corner of University Avenue and Milton Street, just north of Sherbrooke Street, and adjacent to aforementioned Diocesian College. The building was dedicated on April 28, 1963. The chapel, was renovated in the 1980s, then rebuilt following a fire in November 1990. In recent years, it has rented out two floors of its residences to act as dormitories for McGill University students.
. He did not go to a congregation; instead, he went to serve with the YMCA
in the United States
. His invention of the sport of basketball
, brought him back to Montreal, just before his 1939 death to receive the Honorary Doctor of Divinity
.
Keith Markell's 1986 (posthumous) history of Presbyterian College cited some famous alumni; Most were in Canadian Church circles, including the first Moderator of the United Church of Canada
, George C. Pidgeon
.
Another alumnus, who like James Naismith (see above), gained a reputation away from the pastorate and/or academia, was John Weir Foote
(1934 Graduate), a heroic World War II Chaplain, and later Ontario
Cabinet
Minister.
W. G. Brown
(1902) was a minister who fought for the continuation of the PCC from Red Deer, Alberta
, where he served from 1907–1925, then moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he re-organized the Presbyterian Minority groups into St. Andrew's Church in Saskatoon; and died after he was elected to the Canadian Parliament
in 1940.
and Diocesian College), that renewed an agreement made in 1912, that was dissolved following 1925. In 1981, the Institute de Théologie de Montréal was established, to provide teaching in French
, although French courses had been provided from 1869–1925, and the College is known as The Presbyterian College/Le Collège Presbytérien.
+John Scrimger* (1904–1915),
+D.H. Fraser (1916–1929),
+Francis Scott MacKenzie (1929–1945),
+Robert Lennox (1948–1969),
+William Klempa (1978–1998),
+John A. Vissers (1999-),
During the periods between settled Principals (especially 1969-1978), there were a number of "Acting Principals".
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, is a Theological College of the Presbyterian Church in Canada
Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is the name of a Protestant Christian church, of presbyterian and reformed theology and polity, serving in Canada under this name since 1875, although the United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939...
, and is affiliated with McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
through their Faculty of Religious Studies. Presbyterian College's Student base is from right across Canada, as well as from international students.
Mission
The Presbyterian College is a theological College of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. It is a member of the McGill University Consortium of theological colleges. The College's mission is to educate candidates for the ministry of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and to be a centre for education and research in Reformed theology.Programs
- General Assembly Certificate
- Diploma in Lay Leadership
- Diploma in Ministry
- Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.)
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
- McGill Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.)
- McGill Master of Sacred Theology degree (S.T.M.)
- McGill Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in Religious Studies
- McGill Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Religious Studies
History
The official history of the college began in the early 1860s, but the date of 1865 is the benchmark as the Canada Presbyterian Church approved the request of the Presbytery, to compliment that denomination's only Theological College, Knox CollegeKnox College, University of Toronto
Knox College is a postgraduate theological college of the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1844 as part of a schism movement in the Church of Scotland following the Disruption...
, located in Toronto.
Lay leadership in this cause came from prominent Montrealers John Redpath
John Redpath
John Redpath was a Scots-Quebecer businessman and philanthropist who helped pioneer the industrial movement that made Montreal, Quebec the largest and most prosperous city in Canada....
and McGill Principal John William Dawson
John William Dawson
Sir John William Dawson, CMG, FRS, FRSC , was a Canadian geologist and university administrator.- Life and work :...
.
Classes began in the autumn of 1867 in the basement of Erskine Presbyterian Church in downtown Montreal, with Professor (later Principal) Donald Harvey MacVicar.
The College remained within the Presbyterian Church in Canada
Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is the name of a Protestant Christian church, of presbyterian and reformed theology and polity, serving in Canada under this name since 1875, although the United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939...
after church union
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
, although most of the faculty departed. The 1925-1926 academic year was held from the Anglican Diocesian College, until the provincial Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
Courts awarded the College back to the "continuing" Presbyterians.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Presbyterian College was used for soldier training, and temporarily moved to Toronto, Ontario, and joined with Knox College, from 1943-1946.
Buildings and Features
The first building was completed in 1873, and located on McTavish Street. In 1882, the David Morrice Hall containing a large library, Dining Hall, Convocation Hall and offices and residences was completed. These building served the College until the 1950s.By the 1950s, the older buildings were in need of repair; rather than embarking on lengthy renovations, Presbyterian College and McGill University transferred lands, the University took the McTavish Street site, and Presbyterian College constructed a new building on the corner of University Avenue and Milton Street, just north of Sherbrooke Street, and adjacent to aforementioned Diocesian College. The building was dedicated on April 28, 1963. The chapel, was renovated in the 1980s, then rebuilt following a fire in November 1990. In recent years, it has rented out two floors of its residences to act as dormitories for McGill University students.
Alumni
In 1890, one of the Presbyterian College's most famous alumni graduated, in the person of James NaismithJames Naismith
The first game of "Basket Ball" was played in December 1891. In a handwritten report, Naismith described the circumstances of the inaugural match; in contrast to modern basketball, the players played nine versus nine, handled a soccer ball, not a basketball, and instead of shooting at two hoops,...
. He did not go to a congregation; instead, he went to serve with the YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. His invention of the sport of basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, brought him back to Montreal, just before his 1939 death to receive the Honorary Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
.
Keith Markell's 1986 (posthumous) history of Presbyterian College cited some famous alumni; Most were in Canadian Church circles, including the first Moderator of the United Church of Canada
Moderator of the United Church of Canada
The Moderator of the United Church of Canada is the presiding leader of the United Church of Canada, Canada's largest Protestant denomination. The church is highly decentralized and non-dogmatic and the moderator has only limited power...
, George C. Pidgeon
George C. Pidgeon
The Very Reverend George Campbell Pidgeon was a minister first in the Presbyterian Church in Canada and then in The United Church of Canada, as well as the last Moderator of the Presbyterian Church before amalgamation, and the first Moderator of the newly formed United Church of Canada...
.
Another alumnus, who like James Naismith (see above), gained a reputation away from the pastorate and/or academia, was John Weir Foote
John Weir Foote
John Weir Foote, VC , CD was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
(1934 Graduate), a heroic World War II Chaplain, and later Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
Minister.
W. G. Brown
Walter George Brown
Walter George Brown was a Presbyterian Church in Canada minister who opposed the formation of the United Church of Canada and was a United Reform Movement MP in the Canadian House of Commons.-Early life:...
(1902) was a minister who fought for the continuation of the PCC from Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills...
, where he served from 1907–1925, then moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he re-organized the Presbyterian Minority groups into St. Andrew's Church in Saskatoon; and died after he was elected to the Canadian Parliament
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in 1940.
Partnership
In 1969, Presbyterian College entered into an agreement with McGill University Faculty of Religious Studies and the other Theological Colleges (United CollegeUnited Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
and Diocesian College), that renewed an agreement made in 1912, that was dissolved following 1925. In 1981, the Institute de Théologie de Montréal was established, to provide teaching in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, although French courses had been provided from 1869–1925, and the College is known as The Presbyterian College/Le Collège Presbytérien.
Principals
+Donald Harvey MacVicar* (1873–1902),+John Scrimger* (1904–1915),
+D.H. Fraser (1916–1929),
+Francis Scott MacKenzie (1929–1945),
+Robert Lennox (1948–1969),
+William Klempa (1978–1998),
+John A. Vissers (1999-),
During the periods between settled Principals (especially 1969-1978), there were a number of "Acting Principals".
External links
Histories of the University
- Robert Campbell, A History of the St. Gabriel Street Church, Montreal, 1887.
- John H. MacVicar, The Life of Principal MacVicar, by His Son, 1904.
- John. S. Moir, Enduring Witness, (Third Edition), 2004. (The Official History of the Presbyterian Church in CanadaPresbyterian Church in CanadaThe Presbyterian Church in Canada is the name of a Protestant Christian church, of presbyterian and reformed theology and polity, serving in Canada under this name since 1875, although the United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939...
) - Dr. Stanley Frost.'The History of McGill in Relation to the Social, Economic and Cultural Aspects of Montreal and Quebec' (Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1979).
- Dr. Stanley Frost. 'McGill University: For the Advancement of Learning.' Vols I.(Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press © 1980)
- Dr. Stanley Frost. 'McGill University: For the Advancement of Learning.' Vol II.(Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press © 1984)
- H. Keith Markell 'The Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University, 1948-1978' (Montreal: Faculty of Religious Studies, 1979)
- Prof. Peter F. McNally McGill University: For the Advancement of Learning (1970–2002)' Vol III(Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press © 2002)
- Brian J. Young 'The Making and Unmaking of a University Museum: The McCord, 1921-1996' (Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, June 1, 2000)