Unification Theological Seminary: Celebrating 47 Years
On January 21, 1974 the Unification movement purchased a sprawling wooded estate in Barrytown, New York. For nearly half a century, it’s been the American linchpin of the movement’s teachings: the Unification Theological Seminary.
This year marks the 47th anniversary of the property’s purchase. Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) co-founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon had been searching locations along the Hudson River suitable for educational purposes. With breathtaking scenic views, he reportedly visited the estate 17 times before deciding to acquire it, placing a “Founder’s Rock” to mark the place where he made his decision.
“We must change our direction from the established theologies which are deprived of life and spirit and turn to a new theology with a dynamic vitality and lifestyle in which God can directly participate,” Rev. Moon said during his opening convocation at the Barrytown Main Chapel on September 20, 1975.
“I strongly believe that the Inaugural Convocation of the Unification Theological Seminary is the laying of the cornerstone of the Earthly Kingdom of God.”
Formerly home to St. Joseph’s Normal Institute, a novitiate and high school run by the Christian Brothers, the estate features 250 acres bordering the Hudson River, 90 miles north of New York City. From its aboriginal inhabitants, to English estate owners and Roman Catholic educators, the property’s rich history has been characterized by change–and ultimately a new era of the Unification movement.
UTS gave birth to an array of ecumenical and interreligious organizations that extended the wider movement’s reach to scholars and religious leaders. Offering fully accredited master’s and doctoral degrees, more than 1,500 graduates have pioneered a range of projects and initiatives; authored books and other literature, becoming heads of national and global endeavors.
“From its founding and through the mid-1990s, UTS was a place to prepare Unification leaders,” said UTS President Dr. Thomas Ward, who was appointed its sixth president in July 2019. “There is now a call for UTS to re-affirm its original mission.”
The Barrytown property has hosted matching convocations, Marriage Blessing education workshops, and sports festivals. Most recently, UTS was granted state approval to relocate its main campus to 4 West 43rd Street in Manhattan in 2018. The seminary also launched a robust online program, which has inspired a fresh wave of young Unificationist scholars worldwide.
“Rev. Moon was a strong believer in online education,” said Dr. Ward, a UTS alumnus and advocate of “massive open online courses” (MOOCs). Dr. Ward defined himself as a “change-agent,” dedicated to providing good stewardship of the Barrytown property.
Over the course of five presidential administrations, and many overhauls, UTS has remained steadfast to Rev. Moon’s vision of strengthening community relations, expanding academic programs, and preparing a new generation of leadership.
“UTS continues to be a vibrant and growing educational institution,” said Dr. Ward. “The seminary’s Barrytown years are a testament to the vitality and adaptability of UTS as an institution.”
You can learn more about the Barrytown property’s history here.
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