Andrewes Hall was founded in 2002 in response to the shared vision of the Reformed Episcopal Diocese of Mid-America (DMA), Covenant Renewal Ministries, Inc., and a few pastor-scholars from Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose and mission of Andrewes Hall is to provide ministry formation to future church leaders (both clergy and lay persons) from among the peoples and cultures of the Southwest.
The organizers recognized the opportunity and the need for an innovative seminary program that attempts to combine the quality of a traditional residential program with the convenience of extension study. They were furthermore committed to a vision of theological education and Christian ministry that can be characterized as both reformed and catholic: (1) reformed – emphasizing the embodiment of the living experience of the Church always under the scrutiny of the supreme authority of Holy Scripture; and (2) catholic – emphasizing the universally-held essentials of biblical faith and practice, in agreement with the teaching of the apostles, the early fathers, and the consensus of the undivided church.
To realize this vision, a cooperative relationship was formed in early 2002 between Andrewes Hall and Cranmer Theological House, Houston, TX, the theological seminary of the DMA. The organizers of Andrewes Hall worked together with Cranmer House to establish this unique relationship, which extends to both seminaries the benefit of collaborative lectureships, commonality of vision, excellent academic standards, and crucial links and contacts with schools in the United Kingdom, particularly with the Central School of Religion (London, England). Due to the convenience of air travel and the schedule of weekend modular classes, Andrewes Hall is well situated to serve the entire Western United States.
Starting in 2009, Andrewes Hall came under the auspices of the Diocese of the West within the Reformed Episcopal Church.
