Memphis Theological Seminary, a school affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, likely will close its doors after the spring 2026 semester.
The announcement was made Dec. 16 by President Jody Hill, who said trustees met Dec. 11 and recommended the closure to the denomination’s General Assembly, which will have a called meeting Jan. 23-24.
Faced with enrollment and funding challenges, the seminary has sought for two years to explore opportunities for mergers or acquisitions with 30 other institutions, Hill said. “The limited amount of endowment and assets under our direct control has left us unable to secure a … partner. Under our current operational model as a standalone seminary, we have been left with few options.”
Jody Hill
According to the latest data published by the Association of Theological Schools, Memphis Seminary has four full-time faculty members and a faculty FTE of eight. ATS reports a headcount enrollment of 171 and an FTE enrollment of 106.
The seminary reported annual expenses of $3.75 million with only $15.3 million in long-term investments.
The seminary dates to 1956 and has been located in Memphis since 1964.
Cumberland Presbyterians count about 33,000 active members in 646 congregations. The body was formed in a split from the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The fate of the seminary now rests with the denomination’s General Assembly.
“If the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church approves the … recommendation to cease operations on July 31, 2026, we will work diligently with our accrediting bodies and academic partners to support each student and ensure the most seamless academic transition possible during this time of change,” Hill said. “We are also committed to walking closely with our faculty and staff, providing care, clear communication and support as they navigate this season.”
Hill also said: “When the Cumberland Presbyterian Church moved the seminary to Memphis in 1964, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, it was a bold act of faith. The church declared that it wanted to be urban and multiracial, educating men and women and welcoming persons of all Christian denominations. From the beginning, MTS was described as an ecumenical mission of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church — a vision that continues to define who we are.”
Smaller seminaries and divinity schools — especially those not attached to larger universities — have faced extreme pressures in the last decade as enrollments have declined and costs of operation have risen. ATS, the major accrediting body, does not report a total number of closures.
The number of U.S. schools accredited by ATS actually has increased over the past 30 years, from 168 in 1994 to 228 in 2024.