Luther Seminary, located in St. Paul, Minnesota, is set to sell its historic campus. This decision comes after more than a century of calling the beautiful site home. The seminary’s board of directors made the announcement last week, stating that the campus, valued at over $8.7 million, will be sold as part of a shift in strategy to better serve its mission.
The campus is known for its Collegiate Gothic buildings and the Old Muskego Church, a log cabin built in 1844 by Norwegian immigrants. This chapel was moved to the seminary in 1904. However, the once-bustling campus has seen a decline in student enrollment, with many opting for online classes instead of attending in person. As of 2024, the seminary has just 183 full-time equivalent students, a significant drop from over 600 in 2007.
The seminary’s president, Rev. Robin Steinke, explained that the shift reflects changes in how students prepare for ministry. The plan is to find a smaller space in Minneapolis where students can participate in occasional in-person learning while primarily engaging through online courses. This new model aims to make the seminary more adaptable to current educational trends.
The decline in enrollment at Luther Seminary mirrors broader challenges faced by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest Lutheran denomination in the U.S. Membership in the ELCA has decreased by 46% over the last two decades, dropping from nearly 5 million members in 2003 to about 2.79 million in 2023.
Despite offering full-tuition scholarships, the seminary struggles to attract students. Many potential candidates feel that the financial sacrifices required for a degree in ministry do not outweigh the benefits. The ELCA has also faced challenges in attracting candidates for ordination.
As Luther Seminary prepares for this significant change, it remains committed to its mission of preparing future leaders for ministry, albeit in a new format. The decision to sell the campus marks a pivotal moment in its history, reflecting the evolving landscape of theological education.