Over 130 Years of Service to the Church

The Reformed Episcopal Church was established in 1873 by evangelical Episcopalians in response to developments in the Protestant Episcopal Church of that day. By 1877, the necessity of providing formal theological education for future Reformed Episcopal clergy led to a number of experiments in providing ministerial training. On March 6, 1886 Harriet S. Benson, of Philadelphia, proposed to create a trust to build and administer a denominational seminary and a new church in West Philadelphia. Classes began in 1886 and the cornerstone of the Seminary building was laid in October 1886. The Seminary was chartered and officially opened in 1887.  By the early years of the 20th century RES admitted African American students. Its first integrated graduating class was 1907.
​
RES and its curriculum are steeped in the scriptures, Anglican liturgy and tradition, and the Thirty-Nine Articles. Our alumni and students have come from many traditions including African Methodist Episcopal, Anglican Province of America, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Congregational, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Reformed. We continue to train people from diverse racial and ecclesiastical backgrounds to better serve God wherever they may be called.

---