HISTORY

Claremont School of Theology traces its history back to 1885 with the founding of the Maclay College of Theology in San Fernando, California. In 1900, Maclay College moved to the campus of the then Methodist-affiliated University of Southern California in Los Angeles. In 1956, the School withdrew from the University and became an independent corporation, related to the Southern California-Arizona Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. The School moved to its present Claremont site in 1957.

Five distinguished past presidents have provided extraordinary leadership for Claremont School of Theology: Ernest Cadman Colwell (1957-1968), Gordon Elliott Michalson (1968-1977), Richard Wilson Cain (1977-1990), Robert W. Edgar (1990 - 2000), and Philip A. Amerson (2001-2006). Jerry D. Campbell began as Claremont's sixth president on June 1, 2006.

SEAL

The seal of Claremont School of Theology symbolizes the spirit of this community of scholars. The cross represents our central concern for the Christian Gospel and is joined to an arc to create an anchor, an ancient Christian symbol of salvation, the healing of the human spirit. A lamp of knowledge, symbolic of the community's abiding commitment to the disciplines of the mind and of learning, is a central feature of the figure. Surrounding the elements is a circle symbolizing wholeness and unity. Three openings in the circle symbolize openness and free exchange of ideas across traditions.

CAMPUS

The campus was built according to a design by noted architect Edward Durell Stone. Claremont School of Theology was designed to be an open and inviting space that rose in contrast to, but in harmony with, the natural surroundings. There are no interior corridors so each building provides easy access to the School's natural environment. The openness of the building design also invites plenty of bright, clean, natural light to interior spaces.

(Print-ready Campus Map and Legend)

In typical modernist fashion, Stone allows his buildings to stand as isolated objects in open space. He arranges his buildings as large multifunctional central spaces ringed by smaller enclosed rooms of more definite purpose. Unlike many modernists, he uses luxurious materials and a profusion of decorative details.

Stone was one of America's first proponents of the International Style. He also designed the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., the original section of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo. and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.

Visit the Photo Gallery to view many of the buildings and campus. To arrange a tour of the campus, please contact the Admissions Director at admission@cst.edu. If you are interested in becoming a student at Claremont, we invite you to the campus on one of our Visit Days.