This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (September 2023) |
Stirling Theological College is a former Australian Christian theological college located in Mulgrave, a south eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria.
 | |
Former names | Churches of Christ Theological College (CCTC) The College of the Bible |
|---|---|
| Motto | Forming God's people for leadership, mission and ministry. |
| Type | Christian theological and counselling education |
| Established | 1907-2022 (closed) |
| Accreditation | none |
Religious affiliation | Churches of Christ |
Academic staff | 0 |
| Students | 0 |
| Location | , |
| Campus | Mulgrave, Victoria, Melbourne CBD, (former) |
| Website | stirling.edu.au |
History
editThe Bible College, Melbourne was established by the Churches of Christ in 1907 in Carlton, Victoria, by Henry George Harward (died 12 April 1944),[1] with Alexander Russell Main, MA (died 13 October 1945),[2] as lecturer.[3] Main was previously pastor of the Brisbane Church of Christ.
In 1910 the college moved to a new building on a 5 acres (2.0 ha) property in the township of Glen Iris, re-established as the College of the Bible, a wholly owned institution of the Churches of Christ. Its initial intake was around 40 students. Two courses were offered: a three-year Bible course, from which successful students were issued with a Certificate of Proficiency, and a five-year course, entry for which required matriculation, after which successful students would be granted a Degree issued by the University of Melbourne, which body conducted various course modules.[4] By 1912 there were "44 students in residence, including two women students".[5]
The first principal of the college was A. R. Main. He was succeeded around 1938 by one of the lecturers, Thomas Henry Scambler (died 31 October 1944)[6] and in 1945 by E. L. William, MA.
It changed its name to Churches of Christ Theological College in 1989 when it moved to 44-60 Jacksons Road, Mulgrave and in September 2011 changed its name to Stirling Theological College in honour of former graduate and vice-principal, Gordon R. Stirling, who ministered in all Australian states and in New Zealand; after retiring he became editor of The Australian Christian.
The college board sold the Mulgrave campus in 2020.[citation needed] In November 2022 the college announced that it was leaving the University of Divinity on December 31, 2022.[citation needed] It subsequently announced merger discussions with the Australian College of Ministries which is a Member Institute of Sydney College of Divinity.[citation needed]
Notable alumni
edit- Ernest Aderman OBE (1894–1968) - Member of Parliament in New Zealand[7]
- Andrew Hughes - missionary, minister, politician, actor[citation needed]
- Terry Lane - noted atheist, radio broadcaster and newspaper columnist[citation needed]
- Gordon Moyes AC - Head of Wesley Mission in Sydney and Member of Parliament in New South Wales[citation needed]
Principals
editThree presidents of the council of the University of Divinity and its predecessors, the Melbourne College of Divinity and MCD University of Divinity, came from Stirling Theological College: K. R. Bowes (1978–79), W. Tabbernee (1986-1987) and M. A. Kitchen (2004-05). A. F. Menzies served as Deputy Chancellor of the University of Divinity from 2012 to 2020.
- 1907 - 1910: H. G. Harward
- 1910 - 1938: A. R. Main
- 1938 - 1944: T. H. Scambler
- 1944 - 1973: E. L. Williams
- 1974 - 1980: K. R. Bowes
- 1981 - 1990: W. Tabbernee
- 1993 - 1999: G. O. Elsdon
- 2000 - 2009: M. A. Kitchen OAM
- 2010 - 2020: A. F. Menzies
- 2020 - 2022: G. J. Hill
- 2022 - : S. Sutton
References
edit- ^ "Obituary". The Age. No. 27771. Victoria, Australia. 24 April 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 7 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Obituary". The Age. No. 28, 230. Victoria, Australia. 15 October 1945. p. 2. Retrieved 6 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Church of Christ Conference". The Observer (Adelaide). Vol. LXIV, no. 3, 442. South Australia. 21 September 1907. p. 46. Retrieved 7 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "College of the Bible". Darling Downs Gazette. Vol. LIII, no. 9152. Queensland, Australia. 20 January 1911. p. 5. Retrieved 6 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ The Argus, 13 April 1912.
- ^ "Obituary: Principal T. H. Scambler". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 30, 633. Victoria, Australia. 1 November 1944. p. 6. Retrieved 6 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. p. 296. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.