Our Milestones
OUR MILESTONES
Milestone2023
The College receives a sixth financial endowment and establishes the ACS Professorial Chair of the History of Christianity
Milestone2019
TTC signals its commitment to an expanded vision for lay training by renaming the “Centre for the Development of Christian Ministry” (CDCM) as “EQUIP: A TTC Lay-Training Institute” (English) and “Qicheng” (Chinese).
The College receives an endowment and establishes the Lee Huai Kwang Professorial Chair of Religious Education. This is the first professorial chair at TTC for a lecturer who teaches predominantly in Chinese.
TTC supports National Council of Churches of Singapore in the Celebration of Hope (COH) evangelistic events and the inaugural International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) to celebrate religious harmony as part of Singapore’s Bicentennial.
Milestone2018
TTC marked 70 years of theological education with celebratory events organized throughout the year based on the anniversary theme, “Maturing as ‘Light of the World’”. Celebrations began in Feb with a concert, “Trinity Rhapsody” by the College choir, and a conference on “The Future of the Church in Singapore”.
A preaching symposium, “Light of the Word: A Preaching Symposium” was organized in March with tracks in English and Chinese. This was followed by a Chinese conference in April, “Chinese Churches and Chinese Worldwide”, and a seminar on spiritual formation in May, “Christian Spiritual Formation: Its Nature, Potential and Pitfalls”.
Celebrations continued in the second half of the year with an international theological symposium on the theme, “Salvation and Eschatology” in July, a heritage trail for local alumni in Sep, “After the Darkness..Lux Mundi: Alumni Heritage Trail”, and a similar trail for overseas alumni and friends of the College in early Oct.
The year of celebration climaxed on 5 Oct with a thanksgiving service held at the TTC Chapel in the morning, and the 70th Anniversary Dinner at the Orchid Country Club in the evening. Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Teo Chee Hean was the Guest of Honour at the banquet which was attended by 1000 guests, including more than 200 alumni. DPM Teo expressed his appreciation for TTC’s contribution to nation building in his speech, “A Harmonious and United Singapore.”
Milestone2017
TTC in partnership with the Institute of Bible and Theology (IBT) of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (ECVN), successfully completed the training of 29 Vietnamese pastors, all of whom graduated with the Master of Ministry (MMin) degree. This special programme was offered off-site, and taught at the campus of IBT in Ho Chi Minh City.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between TTC and the Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). Under the MOU, the Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) programme of the RSIS invites TTC to teach two modules for its MSc (Asian Studies) degree programme.
TTC offered spiritual direction to final year students from the Chinese department under the format of a spiritual retreat. This follows the well-received spiritual retreats in English offered to lay people since 2016.
Milestone2016
TTC was established at a time when the founding denominations in Malaysia and Singapore were not yet separate entities. Malaysian denominations continued to be represented on the Board of Governors even after they restructured along national lines. In recent years, Malaysia’s Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian denominations decided to withdraw from the TTC Board in order to focus on the needs of their own seminaries. Therefore, the TTC Board of Governors is now fully Singaporean.
TTC’s commitment to equip lay people takes another step forward. It has begun offering Spiritual Guidance and Weekend Retreats to lay people to develop strong spiritual discipline. Four weekend retreats are offered annually.
Six seminaries together with Ethos co-organised a one-day conference on ‘Human Sexuality, Marriage and the Church’ at St Andrew’s Cathedral. This is the first joint effort of Singapore seminaries, the result of an initiative several years ago when TTC hosted a meeting of principals.
TTC and the Biblical Graduate School of Theology (BGST) launches a joint Diploma in Theological Studies (DipTS). The DipTS is meant for Christians who desire strong foundations in the understanding of their faith. BGST and TTC strongly believe that a bigger pool of theologically trained people in the Church will result in establishing a much stronger and broader base for Church growth.
Milestone2015
As Singapore celebrates SG50, TTC reflects on its development as a Singaporean theological institution. Its faculty members are now predominantly Singaporeans, and so are its student population and donor base.
TTC extends its contribution to the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA) through leadership in the Board of Trustees, the Senate and its publication, the Asia Journal of Theology. Beyond the region, it continues to partner key universities and seminaries in China and North America.
The monthly Faculty Colloquium has established an ethos of excellence at TTC. Lecturers are assigned to either present an academic paper or be a respondent to the paper. The colloquium encourages faculty members towards publication.
The Hill View Station (MRT) commences operation and brings much convenience to commuting students and visitors to TTC.
Milestone2014
TTC partners with the National Council of Churches in Singapore and Bible Society of Singapore to form the ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity, a think tank to assist the church in its witness in society.
TTC and Fudan University School of Philosophy sign an MOU for Religious Studies Exchange Programme. It aims to promote scholarly exchange on religious studies and better understanding of Christianity from an Asian perspective.
The Book Launch of a new book in Chinese held on campus, marks the beginning of future book launches of faculty publications.
Milestone2013
Single language chapel services on Monday commences in the July academic year. On Wednesday and Friday bi-lingual chapel services in English and Chinese remain unchanged.
TTC’s Chinese faculty strengthens to 10 lecturers out of 23 full time faculty members. They celebrate TTC’s 65th Anniversary with a special anniversary publication: 《信仰心·当代情:三一神学院华文部讲师文集》 “Faithful Heart, Contemporary Reflection: Collected Essays of TTC Chinese Faculty”.
Milestone2012
A student exchange programme with Wycliffe College, affiliated with the University of Toronto, commences on a trial basis.
TTC gathers younger women theologians and seminary teachers in Asia for a three-day meeting to explore ways they can encourage one another to reflect, teach, write and serve together long-term in the region.
TTC initiates and hosts the first fellowship of principals/presidents of six seminaries in Singapore.
Milestone2011
Trinity Theological College and Nanjing Union Theological Seminary holds its first conference on Theological Education in Asia at TTC and plans for future collaboration.
The Inaugural TRINITY Lectures is launched. Experts in biblical studies and systematic theology are invited to deliver and publish these biennial lectures.
Milestone2010
Construction of the MRT Downtown line has begun. The Hill View MRT Station, to be operational in 2016, is situated in front of TTC.
The Doctor of Ministry programme offered by Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University at TTC has commenced. This collaboration is the result of requests from alumni and pastors who wished to continue their personal and professional development.
Milestone2009
A fourth financial endowment is received and is named the Bishop William F Oldham Professorial Chair of Old Testament.
TTC – Yale University Divinity School student exchange commences.
Milestone2008
TTC celebrates its 60th Anniversary with public lectures, seminars, symposium, and a hymn festival.
It also receives a financial endowment and establishes the Chew Hock Hin Professorial Chair of Christian Doctrine.
Milestone2006
Methodist School of Music and TTC jointly-offer the MTS in Worship & Liturgy and Church Music.
“Faith for Daily Living Series” booklets written by faculty members are published as a resource for the laity.
Milestone2005
The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree is offered to promote the ministry of the laity in the public square.
Milestone2002
The new Upper Bukit Timah Road campus is officially opened
His Excellency, S R Nathan, the President of Singapore is the Guest-of-Honour.
It receives two financial endowments and establishes the Chen Su Lan Professorial Chair of New Testament and the Earnest Lau Professorial Chair of Systematic Theology.
Milestone2001
TTC moves to its new campus. The unique roof of the new chapel replicates the former Mt Sophia chapel built in 1969.
Milestone2000
TTC’s School of Postgraduate Studies (SPS) offers the Doctor of Theology degree.
Milestone1999
TTC locates a site at Upper Bukit Timah Road to build its new campus. Construction begins soon after a Ground-Breaking ceremony.
Milestone1997
The Continuing Education Department is renamed the Centre for the Development of Christian Ministry (CDCM) and continues to offer non-degree courses for the laity.
Milestone1996
The government acquires the Mount Sophia campus. TTC begins its search for a new campus.
Milestone1993
TTC sets up the School of Postgraduate Studies to offer its own Master of Theology degree.
Milestone1991
TTC receives its first student from China, the beginning of a partnership with the China Christian Council and the National Three-Self Patriotic Movement.
Milestone1982
The Ministry of Education invites TTC to train school teachers to teach Bible Knowledge.
Milestone1978
Continuing Education Department trains parish workers already in ministry.
Milestone1967
TTC offers postgraduate degrees under the auspices of the Southeast Asia Graduate School of Theology (SEAGST).
Milestone1960
The Trumpet, TTC’s newsletter, is launched. Our Chinese newsletter 角声 debuted a year later.
Milestone1954
Trinity College is renamed Trinity Theological College (TTC).
Milestone1952
The Chinese department is established to meet the needs of Chinese-speaking churches.
Milestone1948
Trinity College, the first seminary in Singapore, is established and its campus is located at No 7 Mt Sophia.