What if I told you that Kotesashi Rikkyo has a connection to an Anglican school with a global reach? Kotesashi Rikkyo might seem like just a bridge. But its story connects to a university with a rich history and international connections.
Rikkyo University, also known as Saint Paul’s University, is a private university in Ikebukuro Tokyo. It was established in 1874. Rikkyo is one of the five MARCH universities. These are top private universities in the Kanto region.
The university’s origins trace back to St. Paul’s School for boys. Channing Moore Williams founded it. He was a missionary of the Episcopal Church. He was a key figure in establishing the Anglican Church in Japan.
The first classes of Rikkyo were held in Williams’ home in Tsukiji Tokyo. Initially only five students attended. By the end of the first year the number grew to 55. Many lived in a dormitory rented by the school.
Fire destroyed the first school buildings in 1876. New three-story brick facilities were constructed with funding. James McDonald Gardiner supervised the construction.
In 1891 Gardiner resigned and Rev. Theodosius Stevens Tyng succeeded him. The school’s name changed from St. Paul’s School to St. Paul’s College. Enrollment increased but the buildings were in poor condition.
Rev. Tyng launched a fundraising tour in the United States. An earthquake in 1894 damaged the original school facilities. New buildings were ready for use in 1896.
Rev. Arthur Lloyd became president in 1897. Student enrollment rose as the government exempted students from military service. It also granted them access to government schools. Lloyd guided the school through turbulent times. The Ministry of Education sought to limit religious instruction. Rikkyo retained its license by offering religious instruction only in dormitories.
In 1909 land was purchased near Ikebukuro for a larger campus. The university moved to this site in 1919. The University Chapel was consecrated in 1920. The Ministry of Education officially chartered the university in 1922.
The original red-brick campus buildings suffered damage in the 1923 Great Kanto earthquake. However the suburban location saved it from the fires.
Until the 1920s almost all classes at Rikkyo were taught in English. Japanese language textbooks became more common later.
During World War II Rikkyo faced pressure due to its Anglican Christian affiliation. In 1936 the president Shigeharu Kimura resigned. He faced allegations of disrespect during a public reading. This reading was the Imperial Rescript on Education.
In September 1942 trustees severed ties with Christianity. Most Christian faculty lost their positions. The University All Saints Chapel closed.
After World War II U.S. authorities removed officials associated with militarism. The university re-established links with the Anglican Church. They restarted classes and rehired faculty.
Women were admitted to degree programs in 1946. A new library extension designed by Kenzo Tange was completed in 1960.
A second campus in Niiza Saitama was established in 1990. New graduate schools opened in 2002.
In 2014 Rikkyo University was selected as a Global Hub university. It received government funding for global education programs.
Today Rikkyo University maintains contact with over 140 educational institutions abroad. It exchanges lecturers students and projects. The institution has 20000 students and 2700 teachers and staff members. This makes Kotesashi Rikkyo a small part of a large global network.