Our History:

Trinity was born in the renewal movement of the 60s and 70s. Leaders of the renewal movement saw the need for a place to train its future leaders founded upon the authority of the Bible, trusting the leading of the Spirit, and working to know Christ and make Him known. However, the Episcopal Church was then seriously discussing closing some seminaries - founding another one was clearly a step in faith.

In 1975, a retired Australian missionary bishop answered a call from members of the Fellowship of Witness, came to the Pittsburgh area, and set up an office in his home, using his garage for the library. Alfred Stanway, bishop of Central Tanganyika from 1951 to 1971, had been recommended by John Stott, J.I. Packer, and other evangelical leaders for his vision of renewal and his extraordinary ability to translate his vision into a lively Christian body. He called John Rodgers, a professor and chaplain at Virginia Theological Seminary, to be the senior professor.

Bishop Stanway assembled a small faculty and classes began in September 1976, when 17 students - none with sponsoring bishops - began their studies in rented classrooms in a local college. Two years later, an empty Presbyterian Church and a supermarket across the street were found in Ambridge, and were converted into the campus. Bishop Stanway returned to Australia in 1978 and was succeeded as dean by Dr. Rodgers. During Dr. Rodgers' 12 years as dean, Trinity grew steadily, and established itself as a center for renewal and a resource for the Episcopal Church. The first class graduated in 1979 and Trinity was accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in 1985.