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Nashotah House

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Nashotah House is an Anglican seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin. The seminary opened in 1842[1] and received its official charter in 1847. The institution is independent and generally regarded as one of the more theologically conservative seminaries in the Episcopal Church. It is also officially recognized by the Anglican Church in North America.[2]

Nashotah House Theological Seminary
TypePrivate graduate institution
Established1842; 182 years ago (1842)
Religious affiliation
The Episcopal Church
Anglicanism
Anglo-Catholicism
Endowment$10-11 million (June 2022)
DeanLauren Whitnah
Academic staff
20
Administrative staff
15
Students130
Location
Nashotah
,
Wisconsin
,
United States

43°4′56.5″N 88°25′33.5″W / 43.082361°N 88.425972°W / 43.082361; -88.425972
CampusRural
NicknameThe House, The Mission, Black Monks
AffiliationsAssociation of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS), Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU)
Websitewww.nashotah.edu
Nashotah House Theological Seminary
NRHP reference No.100000523
Added to NRHPJanuary 12, 2017

Nashotah House is the oldest institution of higher learning in Wisconsin.[3] Its campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.[4]

The oldest buildings on campus: Red Chapel and Blue House

History

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Nashotah House was founded in 1842 by three young deacons of The Episcopal Church (TEC): James Lloyd Breck, William Adams, and John Henry Hobart, Jr., who were all recent graduates of the General Theological Seminary in New York City. Bishop Jackson Kemper had asked them to undertake this task. Gustaf Unonius was the first graduate.[5]

Theological tradition

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Nashotah House was, from the beginning, a center for High Church thought and discipline. Breck served as the first dean, and was highly committed to the principles of the Oxford Movement, which in part revived liturgical practices. Later, noted professors such as James DeKoven would bring Anglo-Catholic worship and practice to the seminary. It included daily celebration of the Eucharist and the liturgical use of vestments, candles, and incense.

Nashotah identifies as being within the orthodox Anglo-Catholic tradition. Overall, the faculty support traditional theology and conceptions of Christian doctrine, in opposition to liberal theologies. Historically, the school had a reputation for admitting only high-church seminarians, although the school has sought to broaden its appeal to other forms of churchmanship.[6] Nonetheless, as of 2023, Nashotah House was the only seminary affiliated with the Episcopal Church that does not admit students who have entered into same-sex marriages.[7][8]

21st century

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In the 21st century, Nashotah House has dealt with various challenges associated with the 2009 split within The Episcopal Church, during which several theologically conservative parishes broke away to form the Anglican Church in North America.[9] Unlike Trinity Anglican Seminary, which disaffiliated from TEC in 2022,[10] Nashotah House remains affiliated with TEC, although it educates students from the Anglican Communion as a whole. In 2023, 45% of seminarians were affiliated with TEC, 45% were affiliated with ACNA, and 10% were affiliated with other denominations.[11] TEC students outnumber ACNA students in the residential M.Div. program.[12]

Robert Munday led Nashotah House from 2001 to 2011.[13] He enjoyed the longest tenure for a dean in school history, but was criticized for what some called his "overly sympathetic" attitude towards the ACNA.[9]

Dean-Bishop Edward L. Salmon Jr. led the seminary from 2011 to 2015 with the goal of improving the seminary's relationship with TEC, particularly the Diocese of Milwaukee.[9] In February 2014, Salmon invited the liberal TEC Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to preach at the school.[14][15] Jefferts Schori had previously sought to steer away prospective students from Nashotah House.[3] The decision was condemned by the seminary's largely conservative supporters, including ex-Dean Munday,[16] who cited Jefferts Schori's policy of suing breakaway ACNA parishes to keep their resources within TEC, as well as what they considered her heretical views. Two bishops who were members of the Nashotah House Board of Trustees resigned or distanced themselves from the school;[17] one of the bishops' dioceses had been sued by Jefferts Schori after joining the ACNA.[3]

Salmon stepped down in 2015, although the chairman of the board stated that the resignation was "pre-planned" and not related to the Jefferts Schori controversy. He was succeeded by Steven Peay, who retired in 2017 citing health issues and other personal factors.[18] During the mid-2010s, enrollment dipped significantly, falling from 110 full-time students (143 total) in 2012-13 to 52 full-time equivalent students in 2017.[3][11]

Under Garwood Anderson (d. 2017-24), who made efforts to recruit ACNA members[12] and low church adherents[6] as seminarians, full-time equivalent enrollment rebounded from 52 to 119.[19] Anderson stepped down and returned to the classroom in 2024.[20] He was succeeded by religious historian Lauren Whitnah, the first woman to lead the seminary in 182 years, and a member of an ACNA congregation.[21][22]

The seminary typically runs at a deficit, and the endowment stood at $10-11 million in 2023;[6] it was $10 million in 2011.[23]

Academics

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Nashotah House offers degree and certificate programs aimed at training clergy and lay leaders for ministries in the Anglican Communion:

It also offers a one-year certificate program in Anglican studies, geared toward students who have received an M.Div. from a non-Anglican institution and wish to be ordained within the Anglican tradition. The Master of Pastoral Ministry and the Master of Ministry degree may be earned through a combination of residential and online study.[24]

The DMin, STM, MDiv, MPM, MTS, MM and MSM degrees are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.[25][26]

Campus

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The Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin

The property of the Nashotah House Theological Seminary covers 365 acres (148 ha) of land.

The main buildings of the seminary include, from oldest:

There are also apartments for both single and married students, and several houses for the dean and other faculty, as well as maintenance facilities.

Construction has been completed on a substantial addition to the refectory. The newly dubbed Adams Hall includes a large meeting hall and additional classrooms.

Student life

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Interior of the Red Chapel

Nashotah began as a community inspired by traditional monastic life of prayer, work, and study. James Lloyd Breck's vision was to create a center for Christian formation in the (then) wilderness that would also be movement to propagate other communities for the purpose of evangelizing the frontier. Today, much of this vision remains intact and students still live a Benedictine cycle of prayer, work, and study. The life of the Seminary seeks to form the character of priests and leaders into the image of Christ. Various students have been involved in mission work around the Anglican Communion as well.

"Seminarians are invited to participate in an ascetic, disciplined, prayerful season of spiritual growth in Christ" in which they "practice the Benedictine Rule of daily prayer, labor, and study."[34] All students have work crew assignments - cleaning bathrooms, mowing lawns, sweeping floors and taking other chores. Daily routine includes Morning Prayer, Mass, breakfast, classes, lunch, and Solemn Evensong. Always anticipated on the campus is the annual St. Laurence Cup, a flag football game played against students from Sacred Heart School of Theology and St. Francis Seminary (Wisconsin).[35] The formerly annual Lavabo Bowl game was played against Seabury-Western Theological Seminary which stopped granting residential Master of Divinity degrees in 2010 after ceasing to accept new M.Div. seminarians in 2008[36]

Notable alumni

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Gustaf Unonius, first graduate of Nashotah
 
Michael the bell which calls the community to prayer

Notable faculty

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Grave of James Lloyd Breck in the Nashotah House Cemetery

References

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  1. ^ a b "Nashotah House Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  2. ^ "SEMINARIES - The Anglican Church in North America".
  3. ^ a b c d Walton, Jeffrey (2014-02-21). "Seminary Invitation to Episcopal Presiding Bishop Sparks Uproar". Juicy Ecumenism. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  4. ^ "Nashotah House Theological Seminary". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  5. ^ "Gustaf Elias Unonius, 1810-1902, First graduate of Nashotah House". anglicanhistory.org. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Petersen, Kirk (2022-06-07). "A New Attitude Drives Enrollment at Nashotah House". The Living Church. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  7. ^ "Theological Identity - Nashotah House | Anglo-Catholic Seminary". Nashotah. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  8. ^ Paulsen, David (2023-06-30). "Document reveals Nashotah House rescinded seminarian's acceptance because he was gay, married". Episcopal News Service. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  9. ^ a b c Johnson, Annysa (2011-10-22). "Nashotah House seminary to get a new president". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  10. ^ Walton, Jeffrey (2024-06-05). "Is Anglican Brand Growing Even as Denominationalism Recedes?". Juicy Ecumenism. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  11. ^ a b Petersen, Kirk (2023-09-28). "Anderson to Retire as Nashotah Dean & Return to Teaching". The Living Church. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  12. ^ a b Petersen, Kirk (2023-05-11). "Nashotah and Duke Bridge TEC-ACNA Gap". The Living Church. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  13. ^ "Nashotah House dean and president resigns to return to teaching". Episcopal News Service. 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  14. ^ "Presiding Bishop preaches at Nashotah House". Episcopal News Service. 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  15. ^ Waring, Steve (2014-05-02). "Courtesy and Joy at Nashotah". The Living Church. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  16. ^ Zylstra, Sarah Eekhoff (2014-03-18). "Controversy over Seminary Speaker Invite Tempered by Student's Death". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  17. ^ Mary Ann Mueller, "Katherine Jefferts Schori's Invitation to Nashotah House Stirs Hornet's Nest", VirtueOnline, February 22, 2014. Accessed February 26, 2014.
  18. ^ Mueller, Mary Ann (2017-08-08). "Nashotah House is again undergoing transition". VirtueOnline – The Voice for Global Orthodox Anglicanism. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  19. ^ Petersen, Kirk (2023-09-28). "Anderson to Retire as Nashotah Dean & Return to Teaching". The Living Church. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  20. ^ "Nashotah House dean to step down, return to teaching at Episcopal seminary". Episcopal News Service. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  21. ^ Michael, Mark (2024-05-07). "The Deep, Deep Roots from Which We Flourish". The Living Church. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  22. ^ "About Apostles Anglican Church". Apostles Anglican Church. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  23. ^ Johnson, Annysa (2011-10-22). "Nashotah House seminary to get a new president". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  24. ^ Nashotah House (August 1, 2021). "Degree Plan MPM" (PDF). Retrieved Feb 15, 2023.
  25. ^ "The Association of Theological Schools" (PDF).
  26. ^ "Nashotah House - Degree Programs". Archived from the original on 2007-07-22. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  27. ^ "Nashotah House Webb Hall". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  28. ^ "Nashotah House Shelton Hall". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  29. ^ "Nashotah House Alice Sabine Hall". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  30. ^ "Nashotah House Lewis Hall". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  31. ^ "Nashotah House Frances Donaldson Library". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  32. ^ "Nashotah House Kemper Hall". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  33. ^ "Nashotah House Breck Hall/Adams Hall". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  34. ^ A Holy Renaissance
  35. ^ The Missioner, Advent 2009 Archived 2010-02-01 at the Wayback Machine "Sacred Heartbreaker: Anglicans Fall to Romans 14-6", p. 7.
  36. ^ Seabury-Western Theological Seminary
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