Mission
The mission of Wesley Theological Seminary (Wesley DC) is to equip persons for Christian ministry and leadership in the church and the world, to advance theological scholarship, and to model a prophetic voice in the public square.
History
Our origin was in the 1881 meeting of the Maryland Annual Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church. Enabling legislation of that year led to a charter on the campus of Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD. For more than half a century the seminary thrived there as the training center for ministers of the Methodist Protestant Church.
In 1939, with the union of the three major branches of Methodism, Westminster Seminary became one of ten schools of theology of the new Methodist Church.
In 1955, institutional and church leaders determined the seminary should move from Westminster to the present site in Washington, DC. In 1958, the seminary took up residence at its new campus and was renamed Wesley Theological Seminary.
In 1968 the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form The United Methodist Church. Simultaneously, Wesley Theological Seminary became one of 13 seminaries of the new United Methodist Church.
Wesley DC continues to celebrate its move to the city of Washington through these early years of the new millennium. In 2009, a new downtown presence and center of faithful learning opened with Wesley Downtown. At the 4500 Massachusetts Avenue campus, the revitalization of Oxnam Chapel in 2010 signaled the merging of traditional and contemporary liturgical space in an educational setting.
Across the courtyard, the library underwent major renovation in 2011. In the same year, the board of governors affirmed the seminary’s decision to build a brand new dormitory on campus. This new residence hall opened for residency in the fall of 2013.
Wesley DC continues to work toward the restoration of the church through varied strategic initiatives, taking advantage of both our location in Washington, DC and our connections across the globe.
Wesley Theological Seminary is a graduate theological school of The United Methodist Church. Theological education at Wesley DC reflects our joint commitments to our Methodist heritage and to the ecumenical movement. At the beginning of the 21st century, Wesley DC embraces a renewed global vision of ministry, as we welcome cooperation with all who work for peace and justice.
A Seminary for the World
Today, Wesley DC is a leader in global, ecumenical, and inclusive theological education. We embrace dialogue across cultures and traditions, and prepare students to lead in a rapidly changing world. Our diverse student body—representing more than 30 countries and countless denominations—testifies to this expansive vision.
As a proud member of the Washington Theological Consortium, we collaborate with partners across the region and around the world. Our programs integrate academic rigor, spiritual formation, and real-world ministry practice through deep partnerships with local churches, hospitals, nonprofits, and agencies.
Preparing the Whole Church
We believe that ministry belongs to the whole people of God—lay and ordained, professional and volunteer, local and global. Our degrees and programs reflect this conviction:
- Master’s and doctoral degrees for those called to pastoral leadership and public ministry
- Certificates and continuing education for lifelong learners and second-career leaders
- Lay training and community offerings that empower all Christians to embody the Gospel
Looking Toward 2031 and Beyond
As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2031, Wesley Theological Seminary continues to honor the legacy of those who came before us while preparing leaders for the Church and the world of tomorrow.
In this new era, we remain grounded in Scripture and tradition, open to the wisdom of global Christianity, committed to justice and reconciliation, and attuned to the opportunities and challenges of a changing world.
We invite you to journey with us—as a student, supporter, partner, or friend—as we shape the future of faithful leadership together.