Tucked away on Bayliss Street in Brisbane, Trinity Theological College has a fascinating story to tell. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to the evolution of theological education in Queensland. Trinity Theological College wasn’t always here on Bayliss Street. Its roots lie in the collaborative efforts of three theological halls belonging to the Congregational, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches. These groups, already working together in the 1960s, formed a Joint Faculty in 1968. Each hall was linked to a residential college at the University of Queensland in St Lucia. The Congregational Hall was at Cromwell College. The Presbyterian Divinity Hall was at Emmanuel College. The Methodist Theological Hall was at King’s College. This shared history set the stage for the birth of Trinity Theological College.
In 1977, under the guidance of its founding Principal, Reverend Professor Roland Busch, Trinity Theological College was officially inaugurated. It initially found its home at Emmanuel College. The official commissioning service took place on February 23, 1978, at Albert Street Uniting Church in Brisbane. A few years later, in 1980, the college moved to new premises on Ryan’s Road in St Lucia. This site held historical significance, as it was previously occupied by the Toowong Reach Methodist Church, which opened in 1915. Another relocation occurred in 1988. The college shifted to the historic Drysllwyn House, located within the newly established Uniting Church Centre on Bayliss Street.
Fast forward to 2014, Trinity underwent a significant transformation. The Pilgrim Learning Community, Chaplaincy Education, and Trinity Theological College merged. This formed the entity now known as Trinity College Queensland. This was more than just a name change. It reflected a new vision of a whole-of-church approach to theological education. Today, Trinity College Queensland continues to thrive on Bayliss Street. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in partnership with the Australian College of Theology. It also provides chaplaincy training and lay education. The college has become a vital center for theological study and spiritual growth. It offers programs for everyone from school leavers to experienced ministers. It continues to write its story within the rich tapestry of Brisbane’s religious landscape.