HISTORY

The first batch students with faculty 1924

History of Concordia Theological Seminary

Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS) was founded by the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) on September 8, 1924. It is the first Confessional Lutheran Seminary in South Asia.

LCMS was established in 1847 by the Saxon and other German immigrants in America to practice and follow confessional Lutheranism. In 1894, LCMS initiated a missionary wing viz. Missouri Evangelical Lutheran India Mission (MELIM) to work in India. The first missionaries Karl Gustave Theodore Naether, Franz E. Mohn, Reinhold P. Freche and George O. Kellerbauer came to India on January 20, 1895.

During the First World War, missionaries felt the need to train more Indian Pastors. In 1917 they opened a one-year catechist training programme in Nagercoil to give basic theological education to local people. In the 1920s, the mission work expanded exceedingly. Thus, missionaries opened catechist class in Ambur and Trivandrum. They felt the present catechetical training was not adequate to face the new situation. Hence, they planned to build a Theological Seminary like the Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, America.

In the 12th Missionary Conference, held in November 1922, decided to start the seminary. A committee was constituted to study the matter and prepared a detailed plain to start a Seminary. The Committee consisting of Rev. Paul F E Heckel, Rev. John C W Harms, Rev. Emil A Noffke, Rev. P M Kauffeld, Rev. A J Lutz and Rev. A C Fritze.  After a year of preparation, the committee submitted its report after a deep thought and recommended to open a three year pastors course with vicarage between the second and third year in the General Conference held in November 1923. The proposal and detailed plan were sent to the approval of the Home Board of Missouri Synod to decide.  After receiving approval from the Home Board of Missouri Synod, the Concordia Theological Seminary was started in Nagercoil on  Monday, September 8, 1924 with seven pastoral candidates and three faculty members. The Seminary was initially functioned in a missionary house on the north side of the present campus and after few years it was moved to the present campus.

The seminary’s main complex building cornerstone was laid on March 27, 1932. The main complex building was constructed in the “Voortrekker” [Afrikaner] style with an “H” shape. It consists of five separate buildings connected with covered corridors. On the south, the library and two classrooms; on the north, the chapel, and the auditorium; and on the centre, administrative rooms and a classroom.

The first batch of students was graduated in 1928. From 1934 to 1949 the course was conducted in two units:  the first two years of catechist training being followed by a period of ‘vicarage’; and the next two years of ministry training. In 1948, the pastoral training was made into three years. In 1952, one year Bible Seminary Class was introduced for those who had completed Secondary Teachers Training Certificate. This course is a prerequisite for admission into the three-year pastors training but it may be waived in special cases.

In 1959, CTS was affiliated with Senate of Serampore College [University]. From 1959 to 1971 it offered Licentiate in Theology (L.Th.). From 1971 to 2011 it offered Bachelor in Theology (B.Th.). In 2012, the Seminary was upgraded to B.D. College. The first batch of B.D. students was graduated in 2016. In 2020, the Seminary offered the extension degree progamme, Bachelor of Christian Studies (BCS). The first batch of BCS students was graduated in 2024.

On November 30, 2017, a severe cyclonic storm Ockhi devastated the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu state. The devastating storm and heavy rainfall caused damage to property and life.  The Seminary campus was badly affected by cyclone Ockhi. It uprooted trees and damaged the buildings and power lines. The campus became unsafe and the students were asked to leave the campus. The campus life was paralysed. The Seminary life was paralyzed. The LCMS immediately stepped in and set up plans to rebuild the Seminary.

In January 2018, the LCMS Disaster Response term came to the Ockhi devastated Seminary campus. They have undertaken a five-phase Seminary Rebuilding Project. The renovating work had started in January 2018, and it came into completion in June 2022. On June 2, 2022 all renovated buildings were dedicated for the Glory of God. Now the Seminary has a new look.

CTS Milestones

  •  8 September 1924 Concordia Theological Seminary was inaugurated.
  • The first seminary classes at Nagercoil were conducted in a small house which had originally been the home of one of the early missionaries in the present Calvary Church and CBO Campus.
  • The present seminary compound was purchased in 1924.
  • 14 small cottages for family students were built in 1924.
  • In 1928 first batch of students were graduated.
  • Two fine new buildings namely the seminary class rooms and the library were constructed in 1932
  • From 1930 on the Book of Concordance which contain the Small and Large Catechism were compulsory for the Concordia Seminary studies.
  • A new class (Catechist class) was opened in the seminary for the school year 1932-33.
  • The year 1934 witnessed a change in the courses offered in the Concordia Theological seminary (catechist seminary & pastor’s seminary)
  • In 1934, Women’s class in Scripture was started.
  • In 1936, a bungalow was erected in the seminary campus.
  • The wives of the students were given special instruction during their stay in the seminary campus, Nagercoil (1940)
  • In April 8-18th 1942, a Refresher course for all pastors and evangelists of the MELIM was held at Nagercoil.
  • Over the years 4 more small houses had been constructed for the use of married students studying at the seminary.
  • With a grant of about $ 5,000 another classroom and a chapel for the seminary devotions were erected and the chapel was dedicated on 2 July 1952.
  • In 1952, One Year Bible Class was introduced in the seminary
  • In 1953 with the grant of $ 6,000 a hostel to house 22 unmarried students was erected.
  • In 1955 India conference of MELIM missionaries resolved to take a new class into the seminary every year Bible training program for teachers, Class for Deaconess was introduced.
  • In 1955 Rev. M. Philip was called to seminary and become the first Indian faculty in CTSN.
  • In 1956 Rev. B. H. Jackayya, the second Indian received the call and joined the seminary.
  • On 7 October 1957, 3 acre 39 cents of additional land was purchased on the south side of the campus.
  • With the grant of $5000 from Gamma Delta, the International Association of Lutheran students, a students’ recreation hall was built in 1959.
  • In 1959 faculty cottage was dedicated.
  • In 1959 under the leadership of M. L. Kretzmann, Concordia Seminary was affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University). Since then, it produced pastors with recognized degrees of Licentiate of Theology (L.Th.) to suit the requirement of present theological work.
  • In 1966, In-service training for pastors was introduced.
  • In 1967, female students were admitted to One Year Bible Course.
  • In 1969 the seminary enrolled students for B.Th. course; one-year Catechist course and four-year Deaconess Class.
  • In 1972, First B.Th. batch was graduated from the seminary
  • In 1974 Female students were admitted to B.Th. course.
  • In 1974-75, Lay Training Department was added in the seminary.
  • A commercial building complex in front of the seminary campus was dedicated in October 1980.
  • A working women’s hostel was started in 1982.
  • One faculty cottage was dedicated in 1992.
  • In 2011-12, B., class was inaugurated and first batch of B.D. graduated in 2016.
  • In 2024, first B.C.S. class of 12 was graduated.
  • On 29 September 2024, dedication of Theodore Gutknecht Atrium.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Compiled by Rev. Dr. P.H.S. Nanda Kumar