Holy Brompton to Open New Theological College for Post-Alpha Courses

A new theological college is set to open in Holy Trinity, Brompton – one of the most influential Anglican parishes in the world. The new college will come at a cost of about £6 million, and although the theological college will not initially train people for Church of England ministry, the Bishop of London, Bishop Chartres has hinted that it may be possible in the future.

The new project will be headed by Dr Graham Tomlin of Wycliffe Hall, where as Sandy Millar, a former HTB rector will lead the Church Planting sector of the college.

St Paul’s in Onslow square has been proposed as the new site for the theological centre, and it will be completely refurbished for approximately £6 million.

"The aim for this theological centre would be to offer a range of different courses from post-Alpha onwards," said Dr Tomlin.

Tomlin revealed the grand vision for the school, which he hopes will attract large numbers of people to train in theology. However, not satisfied with only this, Tomlin also has the vision to open further schools for Worship, Urban Mission and Prayer.

HTB have been discussing the idea for a Christian university for many years now, and in the late 1990’s the church actively looked for a property to purchase for its campus.

Recently the church has attempted to spread its congregation in London to newly planted churches, and this has eventually led to the finding of St Paul’s in Kensington, London.

HTB is famous for the development of the Alpha course, and this parish has also become renowned in London for its active church planting initiatives over recent years.

Holy Trinity has close links to the Bishop of London and Rev Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican Church.

The centre is hoped to be set up as a great training centre, with a definite focus on the ‘mission-shaped church’.

The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres said, "Very often people dismiss charismatic churches as happy-clappy. That is not my experience of them. These are churches that are developing and changing. They are capable of deep theology."