Trinity College Theological School, Melbourne

Trinity College Theological School (TCTS) is part of Trinity College, the oldest college of the University of Melbourne. The school was founded in 1877 by Bishop James Moorhouse for the purpose of training a "learned and dedicated clergy". This founding vision has been the core of the school's contribution to the church and its focus has now broadened to forms of theological education and formation including lay people as well as ordination candidates.

Trinity is committed to shaping men and women in ordained and lay ministry in the Anglican tradition. It represents a moderate Catholic tradition of theology, worship and spirituality and seeks to embody the Anglican way in a critical, reflective and articulate style in dialogue with the contemporary world.

The school community consists of around nine full-time and part-time staff and over 40 students in the Ministry Formation Program, many of whom are preparing for ordination. More than 60 students participate in the Theology Online program, founded and administered by Trinity but now shared with the University of Divinity as a whole, which reaches all over Australia and internationally. In addition there are over 30 parish groups in regional and metropolitan Australia using the Trinity Certificate in Theology and Ministry.

The original pattern of studying theology at Trinity was based on residence in the college, with participation not only in chapel and other formational activities but full engagement in the sporting and social life of a university college. From the 1970s changes in demography of ordination candidates meant non-resident membership of the school became first possible and then normal.

Since 2002 the activities of the school have been centred on the Old Warden's Lodge (OWL), on the southeastern corner of the Trinity College campus. In 2009-10 OWL was renovated and extended to provide a more adequate and self-contained centre for theological education, with two lecture rooms, three tutorial and meeting rooms, common room and academic staff offices. Staff and students nonetheless have access to all the facilities of Trinity College, including the chapel, dining hall, tutorial rooms, library and grounds.

Until the 1960s, Trinity theological students normally undertook a degree program of the University of Melbourne, followed by the Licentiate in Theology of the Australian College of Theology. The teachers were often local clergy and lectures were shared with nearby Ridley College.

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