48. COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 

701 Columbia Drive, Decatur, is a historic Presbyterian institution housed in two handsome, modern brick buildings. Entirely controlled by the synods of Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi, the school in 1940-41 had an enrollment of 77, the largest in its history. Courses in biblical, historical, systematic, and practical theology lead to the degree of bachelor of divinity, and the master's and doctor's theological degrees are also conferred. In the study of practical theology, a recording machine is used, enabling the students to discover and overcome faults in the delivery of sermons. The library, it is said, contains the largest and most extensive collection of theological literature in the South.

Chartered in 1828, the institution first opened at Lexington, Georgia, as the Theological Seminary of the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia. Only five students were registered for the first courses, and the only instructor was the learned Dr. Thomas Goulding, pastor of the Presbyterian Church. Two years later, Goulding, with his family, his slaves, and a few of his students, moved to the First Presbyterian Church Manse at Columbia, South Carolina. On January 25, 1831, the school was transferred to the plant acquired for the seminary.

In the commodious, white-columned buildings the institution soon began to spread its influence widely, while the problem of financial insecurity was met by larger endowments and increased enrollment. The school has been closed for several brief periods: once during the War between the States; again in the early 1880's; and a third time, 1886-87, because of the loss of patronage resulting from the well-known controversy which ensued when a seminary teacher, Dr. James Woodrow, frankly expressed his views on evolution. The seminary carried on its work at Columbia for almost a century. During the earlier years of this period Francis Goulding, son of the minister and later a popular novelist, passed part of his boyhood there, and in later years young Woodrow Wilson made his first profession of faith at a devotional service in the chapel. Later, as President of the United States, he said. "I have heard much eloquent speaking but on the whole the best speaking I ever heard in my life was in the little chapel."

As the years passed, other Southeastern synods joined in control of the seminary. In 1924 a plan was advanced for moving the school to Decatur, and a campaign for $500,000 for endowment and equipment was launched. The charter was amended in 1925 increasing the board of directors to 21 and officially giving the school its present name. Two years later the first classes were held on the present site—a rolling, wooded campus of 57 acres.

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