The Birth and Development of Turner Theological Seminary

October 13, 2008 --
Rev. Kyle “K.C” Gibson
Class of 2003

The Concept of Turner Theological Seminary date back to September 23, 1885 when Reverend T.G. Steward a Chaplain in The United States Army was elected to serve as Dean of Theology of Morris Brown College. It would take nine years before the Department of Theology became a reality. On October 2, 1894 the Department of Theology officially opened with an enrollment twelve students. The first person elected to serve as Dean was Reverend E.L. Chew, however he never served in the position. Reverend E.W. Lee who later went on to become President of Morris Brown was elected as the first active Dean

In December 1895, the Reverend J.S. Flipper (Future Bishop) was elected to serve as dean but did not serve in the position; however Reverend Wellington G. Alexander served for the remainder of the year. In 1896, the General Conference assigned Bishop Henry McNeal Turner to the Six Episcopal District and Reverend E.L. Lee was again elected to serve as Dean. However, Lee was transferred to the Macon Conference and Wellington G. Alexander again served as Dean for the remainder of that school year.

In. 1896, Rev. J.S. Flipper was elected to serve as Dean, but resigned again and Rev. M.M. Ponton became the next Dean. The Department of Theology of Morris Brown College name was changed in 1900 to Turner Theology Seminary, in honor of Bishop Turner who at that time was the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In July 1903, the Rev. J.A. Lindsay was elected as its first Dean but resigned, and Rev. J.S. Flipper was appointed and served until 1904 as Turner Seminary's first Dean. Rev. W.G Alexander returned to Turner Seminary and served as Dean until 1907.

In 1908, Rev. F.R. Simms became the seminary's Dean and was followed by Rev. W.G. Alexander who served until 1913 when Rev. Peter W. Greatheart was elected to serve as Dean until 1920. It was during the Episcopal administration of Bishop W.A. Fountain that Turner Theological Seminary was most prolific in the production of prominent Pastors.

Under Bishop Fountain's administration, he placed emphasize on the preparation of young men (women were not permitted in the ministry during this time) in the ministry. Bishop Fountain brought in well trained personnel to teach in the seminary. These included personalities such as Dr. S.H. Giles, Dr. Charles L. Hill, and Dr. J.R. Coan just to name a few.

Bishop Fountain named Dr. Charles L. Hill to serve as Dean of Turner Seminary and under Hill's leadership, the curriculum was standardized and he established the precedent of conferring degrees on college graduates only and also secured the participation of Turner Seminary in the Southern Inter Seminary Movement.

Under Hill, Turner Seminary was able to establish a more intimate association with Morris Brown College. Another accomplishment under Hill's administration was that Turner Seminary had its largest enrollment of students up to that time.

In 1957 the Turner Seminary acquired a two-story building on 557 Mitchell Street, N.W. The first floor had lecture and conference rooms along with offices for the staff, faculty and a spacious office for the Bishop. A library was located on the second floor which was equipped with modern furnishings. In sequential years the Reverends David R. Fobbs, Charles Leander Hill, Carleton L. Lee, Frank Cunningham, E.J. Odom Jr also served as Dean of Turner Seminary

In 1958, when the Interdenominational Theological Center was organized, Turner Theological Seminary was one of the four founding constituents members and George A. Sewell, became the first ITC era Dean of Turner Seminary. Following Sewell were Josephus R. Coan, George L. Champion, Cecil W. Cone, and C.D. Wilkerson. Turner Seminary's immediate past Dean is The Reverend Doctor Daniel Wesley Jacobs who headed the seminary from 1985 to 2008. The current president/dean of Turner theological seminary is the Reverend Doctor John Frank Green. 

Turner Theological Seminary was created to render service throughout the connection of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Some of Turner's graduates have served as Deans, professors, pastors of some of African Methodism's most prestigious pulpits, chaplains, and have been elected to public office. Under Jacobs's leadership, the enrollment of Turner has more that doubled and the four-story Turner building was erected. Another significant accomplishment during his administration is that several Bishops, General Officers and Connectional Officers have been elected to serve our Zion.

In keeping with the original purpose of the founders to fill the void of educational opportunities for blacks, Turner Theological Seminary has provided this opportunity to many women and men of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Among some of the graduates of Turner Seminary are Dr. David R. Fobbs, the first alumnus to serve as Dean; Dr. C.D. Wilkerson, Turner's (ITC) first Dean and was a part of ITC's first class as part of the ITC; David P. Talbot, a Presiding Elder an uncle of Bishop Fredrick H. Talbot

The first three Turner alumni to be elected to the Bishopric were Bishops William A. Fountain Sr, (1920) William R. Wilkes (1948) and Harold I. Bearden (1964). The first ITC era Turner Alumni to be elected to the Episcopacy was Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson (1996) followed by Bishop Preston Warren Williams (2000).

At the 2004 General Conference, three sons of Turner were elevated to African Methodism highest office. These distinguished Alumni were Bishops James Davis, Samuel L. Green and E. Earl McCloud. In addition to the election of Bishops, two of Turner graduates, George L. Champion and George Flowers have been elected as General Officers. In addition, the current President of the Connectional Council, Reverend Michael K. Bouie is an Alumni of Turner Seminary

The early history of Turner Seminary does not include many accomplishments of women in the ministry because they were not permitted to in the ministry during the early years. But in recent years the A.M.E. Church has made tremendous changes in this area with Turner Alumni leading the way

Presiding Elder Leeomia Kelly was appointed as the first African American female chaplain of The Miami-Dade Police Department and currently serves as a member of the Judicial Council; Rev. Debra Grant was the first female appointed to a major pulpit in Georgia and currently serves as the Turner Alumni President; Dr. Jacquelyn Grant-Collier is a world renown scholar in Theology with a specialization in Womanist Theology.

Rev. Ammie Davis currently serves as a Chaplain in the United States Navy and pastors a major charge in the 8 th Episcopal District; Rev. Cassandra Hill currently server as the Administrative Assistant of Turner Seminary; Rev. Charletta Robinson who serves as Woman in Ministry Episcopal leader in the 11 th Episcopal District and pastors Mother Mid-Way the Mother Church of African Methodism in Florida.

For 111 years, Turner Theological Seminary has produced many women and men who have made major contributions to the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Over the course of her celebrated history, Turner Theological Seminary continues to train clergy “For a Prepared Ministry.”  It is my prayer that God continues to shine a light on the Legacy of our beloved Seminary as we continue into the 21 st Century. 

God Bless Turner Theological Seminary and Long Live The
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
To God Be the Glory!!!

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For any Information on Turner Seminary use the following contact information:

702 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30314-4112
Phone: (404) 527-0080
Fax: (404) 527-4687