General Theological Seminary, seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York
The General Theological Seminary is a seminary and private educational institution in Manhattan featuring neo-Gothic buildings and well-maintained gardens known as the Close. The campus includes the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, the historic St. Mark's Library containing rare theological texts and manuscripts, and the Desmond Tutu Center for conferences.
Founded in 1817, it is the oldest seminary of the Episcopal Church and played a key role in the American Oxford Movement. In 1869 it gained authority to award degrees, and in 1971 it began admitting women for full-time study, reflecting shifts in the church's approach to clergy training.
The name reflects the institution's mission to serve the entire Church, not just one part of it. The neo-Gothic buildings and quiet gardens create spaces where students and visitors practice faith together through shared meals, prayer, and community gatherings.
The campus is accessible to visitors who can walk the quiet grounds and view the historic architecture and gardens. It is important to respect the private study spaces and check current visiting hours or any restrictions before arriving to ensure full access to the grounds.
The library holds one of the few privately owned Gutenberg Bibles and rare manuscripts dating to the 10th century. Recently, many of these valuable collections were transferred to another seminary to provide researchers better access while preserving these precious volumes for future generations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
