History

Also Read: Vision & Mission • Goals & Objectives

In 1927, the Synod of British Columbia declared their determination to found theological college. However, it was not until 1955, under the leadership of the Honourable Mr. Justice Alexander Malcolm Manson, that St. Andrew's Hall was chartered by the Province of British Columbia as a theological college. The buildings, including the dormitory "Manson House" and a chapel, were completed in 1957 on land close to the heart of the University of British Columbia campus. The land was leased by the university to the college for 999 years.

For the first 27 years, St. Andrew's Hall served as a residence for university students, a centre for Presbyterian chaplaincy at the University of British Columbia, and housed the congregation of University Hill Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Dr. John A. Ross served as the first Dean, Chaplain to the university, and minister of the congregation. John Ross retired in 1983 and was appointed Dean Emeritus of the Hall in 1996. He passed away in spring, 2004.

Unfortunately, resources were not adequate to activate the degree-granting charter of St. Andrew's Hall during these years. In 1984, after several years of negotiations, St. Andrew's Hall and The Presbyterian Church in Canada entered into an agreement of association with Vancouver School of Theology by means of which Presbyterian students graduating from Vancouver School of Theology would be eligible for ordination within the denomination. St. Andrew's Hall agreed to have Vancouver School of Theology exercise its degree-granting charter, thus serving as the agent of the denomination in this association.

In 1985, the Rev. Dr. Brian Fraser succeeded John Ross as Dean of St. Andrew's Hall. In consequence of the agreement with Vancouver School of Theology, Brian Fraser also became Professor of Church History, serving for 17 years. In 2001, Brian Fraser resigned as Dean.

In 1988, Helen Anderson joined the staff. As Director of Operations and Housing, she oversees the day to day management of the facilities, the Residence Life program as well as taking care of financial matters.

In 1995, St. Andrew's Hall opened an additional 93 residential apartment units to provide much-needed residences for university students and a long-term source of revenue.

In 2000, the Board of Management established the Elders' Institute, a new initiative in theological education for The Presbyterian Church in Canada. The Elders' Institute was established to provide educational programs and resources to the 13,000 ruling and teaching elders, ordained for life to govern the church. Erin Crisfield served as the first Director of the Elders' Institute and in 2004, the Rev. Dr. Roberta Clare succeeded her as Director.

In 2003, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Farris became Dean of St. Andrew's Hall and Professor of Homiletics at Vancouver School of Theology. In addition, Dr. Philip Crowell was appointed as Professor of Ethics.

In 2004, the Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls joined the faculty at Vancouver School of Theology as Professor of Hebrew Bible.

In 2005, the Board of Management decided to demolish Manson House and the chapel as part of an overall plan to redevelop the site. It is expected that the leasehold on a portion of the property will be sold for a market development and the funds used as seed money for new construction. The position as Professor of Ethics at Vancouver School of Theology was terminated as part of an overall restructuring of Vancouver School of Theology.

See a video of the demolition here.

In 2006, the Rev. Dr. Ted Siverns retired as the Presbyterian Director of Denominational Formation and the Rev. Dr. Glen Davis was appointed as his successor.