Crozer Theological Seminary

The Crozer Theological Seminary is located in Chester, Pennsylvania. It opened in the fall of 1868 by Baptists. The Crozer Theological Seminary adopted a nondenominational approach to religious education, gaining reputation as a theologically liberal institution ("Crozer Theological Seminary"). It gained significance due to Martin Luther King attending and graduating as valedictorian of his class in 1951. Martin Luther King strengthened his commitment to the Christian social gospel and ideas about nonviolence as a method of social reform which later played a huge role in his fight for equality. The Crozer Theological Seminary merged with another Baptist Seminary in New York in the late 1960's, forming the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School ("Crozer Theological Seminary"). The old building in Chester, PA is not used by the Crozer Hospital and the seminary's grounds are now the Crozer Arboretum.

Old Main was established in 1858 in Chester, PA by a man named John P. Crozer. His hopes were to create an establishment that gave worthy young people an opportunity to receive a good education. Throughout the Civil war, the building was used as a hospital (“Crozer Theological Seminary”). Later, after John’s passing, his heirs turned the building known as Old Main into the Crozer Theological Seminary, which opened for students in 1868 (“Crozer Theological Seminary”). Since opening, it became one of the leading classical liberal seminaries in the east. One of the students being none other than Martin Luther King Jr. It was here that Martin Luther King strengthened his commitment to the Christian social gospel and ideas about nonviolence as a method of social reform which later played a huge role in his fight for equality.

The landmark the Crozer Theological Seminary was on has been used for so much throughout the past hundred decades. From a school to a hospital, then a seminary, and now a park and medical center. This alone shows the significance of the historic sight. John P. Crozer originally created the building as an institution and school for younger people. His hopes were that these young individuals would seek out education in order to become good teachers (“Crozer Theological Seminary”). During the Civil War, Crozer’s school turned into a hospital that aided prisoners and soldiers. After the war, the building was returned to Crozer right before his death in 1866. Before passing away, Crozer gave the institution to his heirs, hoping they will continue to use it for educational purposes (“Crozer Theological Seminary”). In 1867, the Old Main building was then turned into the Crozer Theological Seminary. Crozer’s philanthropist actions made him a huge benefactor in the Chester community. He not only created a school, but gave scholarship money for the less fortunate, believing that education should be received for all young children.

Not only was the historic landmark significant, but a particular student that graduated from the seminary as well. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15th, 1929 (“Martin Luther King Jr.”). He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia with his father, Michael King Sr, mother, Alberta Williams King, sister, Willie Christine King, and younger brother, Alfred Daniel Williams King. At a young age, King was very intelligent, skipping ninth and eleventh grades. He graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 just before entering the Crozer Theological Seminary. Here, King strengthened his commitment to the Christian social gospel and ideas about nonviolence as a method of social reform. King was one out of eleven Black students at the seminary in 1948 (“Crozer Theological Seminary”). He graduated valedictorian of his class in 1951 after being elected student body president, earning the Pearl Plafker award for scholarship (“Crozer Theological Seminary”.) After graduating from Crozer Theological Seminary, King was committed to addressing societal needs and social reform that he has been seeking throughout his life.  

The historical significance of Old Main, hospital, Crozer Theological Seminary, or Crozer Arboretum can mean many things for a variety of people. As a school in its early existence, it taught education to the poor. Providing teachings that they would have otherwise not been able to access. As a hospital during the war, it cared for and treated many individuals. Without it, many soldiers may have passed due to their wounds. As Crozer Theological Seminary it taught many individuals, such as Martin Luther King Jr, liberal theological learnings. Finally, as the Crozer Arboretum where people can visit the gardens and park. Each of these institutions provided by the historic landmark keep the lasting legacy alive today.  

“Crozer Theological Seminary.” The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, 4 Apr. 2018, https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/crozer-theological-seminary#:~:text=Crozer%20opened%20in%20the%20fall,as%20a%20theologically%20liberal%20institution. 

“Crozer Theological Seminary.” Upland PA, https://www.uplandboro.org/history/pages/crozer-theological-seminary. 

“Martin Luther King Jr..” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 13 Jan. 2021, https://www.biography.com/activist/martin-luther-king-jr.