Sarum College
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Sarum College is an ecumenical Christian institution in Salisbury, England. The College was established in 1995, and occupies the buildings formerly home to the Salisbury and Wells Theological College. It sits within the Cathedral Close, on the north side of Salisbury Cathedral.
Sarum College provides a range of educational courses, mainly at postgraduate level, including a Masters course in Christian Spirituality. The College also has a specialist theological library, with a collection of 35,000 books and journals which is open to students and individual members. The College also functions as a meeting and conference centre for church and other groups, and as a place for individuals to stay on study breaks, sabbaticals and retreats.
History
The history of theological study begins with St Osmund and the completion of the first Cathedral at Old Sarum in 1092. After Old Sarum was abandoned in favour of New Sarum (or Salisbury, as it came to be known) and the new Cathedral was built in the 1220s, several colleges were established.
There is a long-standing tradition that there was a medieval school of theology here on the site of no.19. It was at this time that Salisbury nearly became a university city to rival Oxford and Cambridge, but history took a different turn…
The main building at the front of the site was built in 1677, and has long been attributed to Sir Christopher Wren for Francis Hill, a distinguished London Lawyer and Deputy Recorder for Salisbury. He chose a particularly striking site, at the north end of Bishop’s Walk, facing directly down to the Bishop’s Palace (now the Cathedral School). The house remained in the Hill family until the end of the 18th century.
Bishop Hamilton established the Theological College here in 1860 - buying the house (then no. 87) from Miss Charlotte Wyndham - and the first students arrived in January 1861.
In the 1870s the College expanded, with the addition of a residential wing (the ‘Butterfield Wing’) to provide accommodation for students, and then of a Chapel. £4750 was donated by Mrs Sidney Lear, sister of the Archdeacon, for the new buildings. The extensions were designed by George Butterfield, foremost church architect of his day, and best-known for Keble College, Oxford. The Chapel was consecrated in 1881 – and although its style has been described by one architectural writer as ‘regrettable’ it is a much-loved building.
Eight students of Salisbury Theological College were killed in the Great War (1914-18), and a fine memorial in the Chapel records their names.
In 1937 further extensions were added – consisting of study bedrooms for students, a new Library (now the Common Room) – designed by William Randoll Blacking. These rooms are now known as the Baker Wing.
During the Second World War (1939-45) the College was taken over by the women of the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service), and Queen Mary paid them a visit. Apparently the creepers which covered the front of the building were hastily removed, as the old Queen did not like them!
In October 1971 the two Theological Colleges of Salisbury and Wells merged, and the Wells students came to no.19 – subsequently the Salisbury & Wells Theological College. The arrival of new extra students required more space, and two extensions were built: a three storey block of flats and study bedrooms at the eastern end of the Butterfield building (the East Wing), and a new chapel, refectory and library were added at the northern end.
In 1994 the Salisbury & Wells College closed down, and the following year Sarum College was established to provide a place of ecumenical theological education – as well as a home for ministerial training through STETS (Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme).
Developments continue, with alterations to the front of the building – a new bookshop and reception area – the Cavell Room, the Baker Wing bedrooms, and the Common Room. A lift was opened in 2005 to provide access to all floors for visitors with disabilities. In 2007 the College completed the refurbishment of the Attic bedrooms – formerly servants’ quarters, and now beautiful en-suite bedrooms for visitors.
The buildings of Sarum College have a fascinating history, and record the changing uses to which this place has been put over the years.
Current Mission
Sarum College - a Christian ecumenical centre for learning, hospitality and spiritual growth
A place of encounter for those of different denominations, faiths and perspectives for dialogue and discovery, bringing together those who seek truth and growth in a spirit of enquiry and readiness to share
A community of scholarship, providing opportunities for life-long learning and sharing of insights and the fruits of research and teaching
A place for people of faith to engage with issues arising from their involvement as citizens in work and society
An environment for professional and vocational development in a variety of contexts, in training for ministries and in public life
A place where the whole person can find growth and renewal, through contemplation, worship and creativity
A place of hospitality, open to all, offering community life in an outstanding location in the Close at Salisbury
