We are pleased to share that The General Theological Seminary has received approval from the New York State Attorney General to lease the Close to Vanderbilt University.

The 99-year lease will enable us to expand our innovative hybrid Master of Divinity (MDiv) program, while securing our presence at Chelsea Square for decades to come.

Under the terms of the lease agreement, we will have access to more than twice the current level of accommodation on the Close for student intensive weeks, enabling us to increase the number of students in each cohort of the MDiv program over time. Vanderbilt will also renovate buildings on the Close, including the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.

Intensive weeks for MDiv students will be held on the Close in August and May, with Alumni Week taking place in June. Commencement and Matriculation will continue to be held in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.

General’s hybrid MDiv is in high demand, with 24 new students starting the program this academic year, the largest incoming MDiv class since 2008. Meanwhile, the first cohort of hybrid MDiv students graduated this May, achieving a 100% placement rate in both parish and chaplaincy roles. GTS was also the only Episcopal seminary where every student was marked proficient in all six areas of the General Ordination Exams.

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, President of The General Theological Seminary, said: “The lease agreement with Vanderbilt University ensures that General continues its sacred work of forming leaders for the Church from our historic home in Chelsea. It enables us to grow our innovative hybrid MDiv program and deepen our offerings for alumni, while securing our presence on the Close for generations to come.”

Approval from the New York State Attorney General was necessary to close on the lease agreement. Vanderbilt also requires approval from the New York State Education Department to provide academic programming on the Close, including an undergraduate study away program and a one-year master’s program.