When Did Harvard College Stop Being a Christian School?

Harvard College, established in 1636 by Puritans, has a long and complex history in terms of its religious affiliation. While some argue that Harvard never truly changed its nature, others suggest a significant shift occurred during the 19th and 20th centuries. In this article, we will explore the evolution of Harvard College's relationship with Christianity and the various movements that defined its religious landscape over time.

Founding and Early Years: The Calvinist Influence

Harvard College was founded by Puritans, who were Calvinists and sought to establish a strong educational institution that would cultivate leaders for their community. These Puritans founded the college with the clear intention of preparing ministers and leaders who would serve in the Congregationalist church, which lacked a central organizational structure similar to other denominations. However, Harvard was not formally affiliated with any church because the Puritans did not have a hierarchical system to make such formal affiliations.

The Shift in the 19th Century

By the 18th and 19th centuries, new ideas such as the Enlightenment and newer theologies began to influence the region, leading to significant changes in religious beliefs and practices. One notable event was the appointment of Henry Ware as a professor of theology in 1805, marking a shift towards Unitarianism. This led to a division within the Congregationalists, as some embraced the newer theology while others remained steadfast in their traditional Calvinist beliefs.

Following the appointment of Ware, the "Old Calvinists" established a new theological seminary, which eventually became Andover Newton Theological Seminary. In response, Harvard founded the Harvard Divinity School (HDS) as a non-denominational alternative. The founding documents of HDS explicitly stated its aim to train ministers in Christian-oriented programs, thus maintaining its Christian roots.

The 20th Century and Beyond

As the 20th century progressed, the nature of religious education at HDS and Andover Newton Theological Seminary (ANTS) continued to evolve. In 1971, a merger attempt between the two institutions failed, leading to a further divergence in their missions and ideologies. HDS had become less Christian in its orientation, focusing on a variety of religious traditions, while ANTS remained more firmly aligned with Christian denominations.

In the contemporary context, HDS approved for training ministers in about half a dozen Protestant denominations, Unitarian Universalist ministers, rabbis, and Buddhist clergy. On the other hand, ANTS is approved for American Baptist, Congregationalist, and Unitarian Universalist (UU) ministers and is now part of Yale.

This evolution brings us to the crux of the question: was Harvard ever a Christian school? From one perspective, it can be argued that Harvard was never formally affiliated with a church but maintained a strong Christian orientation, preparing ministers across various denominations. However, a different perspective might view the shift from a more strict Calvinist theology to a broader inclusion of various religious traditions as a significant change in its religious identity.

Conclusion

Harvard College's relationship with Christianity has been a dynamic and evolving story. Whether one views it as a continuous Christian institution or one that has undergone significant changes, it is clear that Harvard's educational mission has been significantly shaped by its religious heritage and the theological shifts that have occurred in the broader context of American history.

Take your pick:
- Harvard was never formally affiliated with a Church.
- Harvard was Christian until the Calvinists left to start their own.
- Harvard remains Christian in that it still prepares Christian ministers in several denominations.