Claremont School of Theology

History

Founded as the Maclay School of Theology in San Fernando, California, in 1885, the Methodist seminary was founded by Charles Maclay, founder of the town of San Fernando, former Methodist minister and state senator. The school was affiliated with the University of Southern California (USC) from 1900 to 1957, staying on the USC campus until it moved to Claremont in 1957.

The master plan for the Claremont campus was designed by Edward Durell Stone, who also designed the school's Kresge Chapel, listed as an historic building by the LA Conservancy.

In 2008, CST became a founding member of the Claremont University Project, a multi-religious consortium that eventually became Claremont Lincoln University (CLU). In 2014, CST announced the end of its relationship with Claremont Lincoln University. The mutual split resulted from an acknowledgement that both institutions' "fundamental philosophies have diverged" when "Claremont Lincoln decided to move away from its interreligious roots and become a secular-focused university" after CLU announced "a decision to discontinue several of its programs". In the same announcement, CST's board of trustees affirmed a commitment to maintaining relationships with its partner schools (the Academy for Jewish Religion (California) and Bayan Claremont).

In 2015 CST disputed its 1957 agreement with the Claremont Colleges (TCC) that stated that if CST ever sold its Claremont campus, TCC would have the opportunity to purchase the property for pennies on the dollar. Based on an early 1980's California law, CST believed this 1957 restriction was no longer applicable while TCC insisted it remained valid. Both parties entered litigation and in December 2023, CST and TCC completed arbitration.

Before the arbitration was completed, CST began negotiations in 2017 to merge with Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. After signing a memorandum of understanding in May 2019, the school began planning the move to Willamette in July 2020. However, due to the ongoing litigation with TCC, CST was not able to move and in 2021 decided to "maintain its presence in Southern California with its main campus located in Claremont, while also retaining a partnership in Salem with Willamette".

Responding to the increased demand for online education the school announced in 2023 that it would increase its online and hybrid offerings, and move from its 16-acre Claremont location to a more sustainable Los Angeles campus. The school is now on the campus of the Westwood United Methodist Church.

CST was the original home for the Center for Process Studies (CPS). In 2023 the CST Board of Trustees approved a proposal that enabled CPS to establish itself as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with joint faculty with CST. The CPS promotes a "relational approach" found in process thought, specifically process theology.

Academics

Degrees

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
• Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology
• Doctor of Philosophy in Religion
• Doctor of Professional Counseling

Research centers

• Center for Engaged Compassion
• Center for Sexuality
• The Clinebell Institute
• Process and Faith

Other programs

Claremont School of Theology hosts the Course of Study and Licensing School programs of the United Methodist Western Jurisdiction. Programs are open to students from any United Methodist Jurisdiction. These programs are for those seeking to become a local pastor in The United Methodist Church.

Accreditation

The school is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. , the commission had the Claremont School of Theology listed as "Accredited with Notice of Concern" related to a commission action from February 2020. The school is also accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). However, it is important to note that its status has been changed to 'Accredited on Warning' due to challenges in financial resources.

Notable faculty

• Jon Berquist
• Philip Clayton
• John B. Cobb (emeritus)
• Monica Coleman (emerita)
• Jane Dempsey Douglass
• Roland Faber
• David Ray Griffin (emeritus)
• Rolf Knierim (emeritus)
• Burton L. Mack (emeritus)
• Dennis R. MacDonald
• James M. Robinson (emeritus)
• Rosemary Radford Ruether
• James A. Sanders (emeritus)
• Deepak Shimkhada (adjunct)
• Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki (emerita)
• Marvin A. Sweeney

Notable alumni

• David Augsburger
• Michel Weber
• Thomas Jay Oord
• Robert B. "Bobs" Watson
• Rosemary Radford Ruether
• Mary Elizabeth Moore
• Tripp Fuller
• Rizi Timane

References

References

1. "Maclay School of Theology, San Fernando, CA".
2. "Claremont School of Theology".
3. "Claremont School of Theology".
4. "Staff Directory".
5. (August 2025)
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7. Kim, Chan-Hie. (2001-04-01). "Robert Samuel Maclay (1824-1907): the pioneer of the American Protestant mission in Korea". Methodist History.
8. "Early Views of USC".
9. "Kresge Chapel, Claremont School of Theology".
10. (2019-06-07). "Building Claremont: the mid-century years".
11. Grossman, Ethan. (2010-03-05). "Claremont School of Theology Receives $10M Gift".
12. (2010-06-09). "Claremont seminary reaches beyond Christianity".
13. (2019-12-10). "Claremont Lincoln University - Online Master's Degrees for 21st Century Careers".
14. Kuan, Jeffrey. (April 21, 2014). "Board of Trustees Announces End of Relationship with Claremont Lincoln University". Claremont School of Theology News.
15. Weinberger, Peter. (2021-10-07). "TCC vs. CST: A deal gone sour—podcast, court docs".
16. (June 5, 1957). "Agreement between Claremont College and Southern California School of Theology". Claremont Courier.
17. mickrhodes@claremont-courier.com. (2024-01-11). "School of Theology to sell former campus property for $7.7 million".
18. Chang, Kristine. (September 22, 2017). "Claremont School of Theology Pursues Move to Oregon". [[The Student Life]].
19. Kuan, Rev. Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey. (May 22, 2020). "A Loving Farewell from the Claremont School of Theology". [[Claremont Courier]].
20. "Willamette/CST Partnership: Frequently Asked Questions".
21. (17 September 2021). "Following legal battle, Claremont School of Theology will stay local". The Student Life.
22. staff, Collegian. (2021-09-27). "Claremont merger called off, Willamette affiliation still on".
23. DSF. (2023-03-15). "Claremont School of Theology Announces Relocation to Los Angeles".
24. "Claremont School Relocates to Los Angeles".
25. "The Center for Process Studies".
26. "About-The Center for Process Studies".
27. "What is Process Studies".
28. "Library & Research Centers".
29. "Course of Study and Licensing School".
30. "Course of Study & Licensing School".
31. "Local Pastor".
32. (2023). "Claremont School of Theology". [[WASC Senior College and University Commission]].
33. "Member Schools: Claremont School of Theology". [[Association of Theological Schools]].
34. "Boston Collaborative Encyclopedia of Western Theology: Rosemary Radford Ruether".
35. Fitzpatrick, Kyle. (2018-06-18). "Rizi Timane Is Helping the Transgender Community, 1 Surgery at a Time".