Northern Seminary

Northern Seminary
Former name
Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
TypePrivate seminary
Established1913 (1913)
Religious affiliation
American Baptist Churches USA
Academic affiliations
Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
PresidentIngrid Faro (interim)
Faculty9 (2025)
Postgraduates161 (2025)
Location
Lisle, Illinois, United States

41°48′33″N 88°03′22″W / 41.80914070°N 88.05609720°W / 41.80914070; -88.05609720
Campus
  • Online/hybrid
Websitewww.seminary.edu

Northern Seminary is a private Baptist seminary in Lisle, Illinois. Historically known as Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, it is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA.

History

The Seminary was founded in 1913 by the Second Baptist Church of Chicago named as Northern Baptist Theological Seminary as a theologically conservative alternative within the framework of its association with the American Baptist Churches USA. In 1920 a collegiate department was founded, and the American Baptist Churches became a seminary partner. In 1963, it moved to Lombard, Illinois. In 2004, it was renamed Northern Seminary. In 2017, it moved to Lisle, Illinois.

It is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

On March 13, 2023, the president, William D. Shiell, resigned from his position amid controversy. After several interim presidents, Joy J. Moore officially became the president of Northern Seminary on December 1, 2024. On January 2, 2026, Moore and the Board of Trustees mutually agreed that she would resign from the position of president of the seminary. Ingrid Faro was named interim president.

Presidents

No. Name Term Ref
1 John Marvin Dean 1913–1918
2 George W. Taft 1918–1936
3 William Law Ferguson 1936–1938
4 Charles W. Koller 1938–1961
5 Benjamin P. Browne 1960–1964
6 Bryan F. Archibald 1965–1975
7 William R. Myers Sr. 1975–1988
8 Ian M. Chapman 1988–2001
9 Charles W. Moore 2001–2006
– John F. Kirn 2006–2008
10 Alistair Brown 2008–2016
11 William D. Shiell 2016–2023
– John C. Bowling 2023
– Karen Walker Freeburg 2023–2024
12 Joy J. Moore 2024–2026
– Ingrid Faro 2026–present
  1. ↑ Browne served as interim president during Koller's sabbatical during his last year.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Served as interim president

Notable people

Alumni

Faculty

References

  1. ↑ "Northern Seminary Faculty Page". Northern Seminary. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Northern Baptist Theological Seminary". Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  3. ↑ Garrett, James Leo (2009). Baptist theology: a four-century study (1st ed.). Macon, GA: Mercer University Press. p. 330. ISBN 9780881461299. OCLC 223853668.
  4. ↑ Trammel, Madison (2024-09-15). "Retooling Seminary". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on September 15, 2024. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  5. 1 2 Publishers, Praeger (2010). American universities and colleges (19th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger. p. 356. doi:10.5040/9798400612398. ISBN 978-0-3133-6609-3. OCLC 475446482.
  6. ↑ Goldsborough, Bob; Kimberly, James (August 22, 2021) [July 10, 2007]. "Lombard Seminary May Sell Land". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  7. ↑ Wilson, Marie (September 22, 2017). "Lombard seeking ways to spur redevelopment around Yorktown, Butterfield Road". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017.
  8. 1 2 Souder-Philyaw, Elizabeth (March 13, 2023). "Shiell resigns as Northern Seminary president". Baptist News. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Wingfield, Mark (November 20, 2024). "Northern Seminary names new president". Baptist News Global. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 Smietana, Bob (January 2, 2026). "Joy Moore steps down as Northern Seminary president after months of confusion over status". Religion News Service. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  11. 1 2 Northern Seminary Board of Trustees (January 2, 2026). "Joint Statement from Northern Seminary Board and Dr. Joy Moore" (PDF). Northern Seminary. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "History: Northern Seminary was founded in 1913 with the purpose of training leaders for the Church". Northern Seminary. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  13. ↑ Norton, W. B. (September 16, 1917). "News of the Religious World". Chicago Tribune. p. 7-10. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  14. 1 2 Evans, John (May 22, 1938). "20th Birthday of Lutheran Merger Noted". Chicago Tribune. p. 3-1. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Dr. Ferguson Will Speak Sunday at Baptist Church". Bureau County Tribune. January 22, 1937. p. 7. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Seminary President Added To Covina Winter Faculty". Pomona Progress-Bulletin. June 25, 1960. p. 3. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  17. ↑ "A Chicago Professor To Be Here For Speech". Kansas City Star. September 16, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved August 7, 2025. Dr. Koller... began his permanent retirement this year.
  18. 1 2 Philbrick, Richard (July 2, 1960). "Religious News Notes". Chicago Tribune. p. 10F. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  19. 1 2 "North Baptist Seminary to Get New Head". Chicago Tribune. November 25, 1964. p. 2-6. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Ministers Plan Reformation Day Service". Alton Evening Telegraph. October 26, 1962. p. 8. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  21. ↑ "500 Are Expected To Attend Baptist Meet in Galesburg". Galesburg Register-Mail. March 20, 1974. p. 8. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  22. ↑ Goldsborough, Bob (June 11, 2018). "Pastor 'was the epitome of the Christian gentleman'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  23. 1 2 Babcox, Emilie (2008). "Changing scenes". In Trust Magazine.
  24. ↑ Dilday, Robert (June 16, 2015). "President of Northern Seminary to resign next year". Baptist News Global. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  25. ↑ Dilday, Robert (January 29, 2016). "Florida pastor named president of Northern Seminary". Baptist News Global. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Northern Seminary Appoints Rev. Dr. John C. Bowling as Acting President". Country Herald. March 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  27. ↑ Wingfield, Mark (February 27, 2023). "Northern Seminary names acting president". Baptist News Global. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Rev. Dr. Karen Walker Freeburg Named Acting President of Northern Seminary". Northern Seminary. April 28, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  29. ↑ Wingfield, Mark (April 25, 2023). "Northern Seminary names another acting president". Baptist News Global. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Joy J. Moore Named 13th President of Northern Seminary". Luther Seminary. November 19, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2025.