What is the history of Claremont School of Theology?
Claremont School of Theology has been a major presence in theological education since 1885. Operating under the auspices of The United Methodist Church (and its Methodist predecessors), the School has produced generations of leaders including ministers, teachers, scholars, pastoral counselors, and university administrators. The spirit of the School has always been broadly ecumenical and interfaith. Its founder, Robert Maclay, was a Methodist missionary to Southeast Asia and was also instrumental in founding Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, one of Japan’s major universities. Located at the University of Southern California for many years, the School played a significant role in university life in that institution. When it moved to Claremont in 1957, it continued its open, welcoming spirit and its focus on the broad study of religion in service to the world. Its internationally renowned scholars have pioneered programs in many important areas – including biblical studies, theology, pas
