Our History

Urbana Theological Seminary traces its roots to the founding of the Christian Studies Center in 1994. A group of people representing a broad cross-section of evangelical churches and para-church ministries in the Champaign-Urbana area came together with a shared vision to bring seminary training to east central Illinois. At that time a contract was forged with a Chicago area seminary to offer courses. In the spring of 1994 the Board of the Christian Studies Center called Dr. Kenneth Cuffey to become the founding Director of the ministry. The first classes were offered in the Fall semester of that year. From 1994 through 2000, the ministry grew as people enrolled in a variety of graduate seminary classes.

In 2001, sensing that our location was strategic and that there was interest in doing something more extensive, the Board adopted a new vision for entering the new century and voted to seek approval and accreditation to operate as a stand-alone school. As the seminary began to receive funding from generous individuals and supportive churches, a faculty and staff began to gather. In November 2002 the Board chose the name Urbana Theological Seminary to denote this new effort. At the end of 2003 all links with other graduate schools for credit were ended and the seminary became fully a stand-alone entity. This allowed Urbana Seminary to focus on establishing its programs and assuring their highest quality.

In 2004 the Seminary dedicated its suite of offices and space for library at 314 E. Daniel Street in Champaign and created a position for Librarian. The Seminary Library entered into a mutual use agreement with the local University Library. On April 5, 2005, the Illinois Board of Higher Education granted the Seminary Operating Authority. That same year an initial group of students completed their Certificates. In 2006 the Seminary expanded with the addition of more faculty and staff and submitted its next application to the Board of Higher Education. During 2007, the Seminary personnel and Board launched a revision and updating of the mission and vision of the school as part of designing a strategic plan for the future. The Seminary completed the state approvals process when it received Degree-Granting Authority from the Illinois Board of Higher Education on December 4, 2007.

Grateful for God’s hand in launching the Seminary, and acknowledging the generous support of those who have prayed for our people and given to support the work, Urbana Seminary held its first annual Founders Day celebration in April of 2009. In the fall of 2009 the Seminary began a process to seek accreditation and was granted Applicant Status in February of 2010. Today the school offers classes leading to a Master of Divinity, a Master of Arts in Religion, and a Graduate Certificate of Christian Studies, as well as several undergraduate courses through a collaborative arrangement. A growing group of alumni serve in positions from Illinois to central Asia.