An announcement from our President and Chairman
It is with a great sense of the Lord’s kindness to us that we announce the decision to relocate Westminster Seminary UK to Oxford for August 2026, the Lord willing.
Please let us tell you something of how this came about, and share a short video.
Newcastle has been a joyful base for the seminary since 2013 when our first student began to train with us, reflecting early leadership and our cherished association with Gateshead Presbyterian Church (now All Saints Presbyterian Church). As the seminary has grown, opportunities for usefulness have grown with it. God has provided able pastor-theologians, partnerships have been forged with churches at home and abroad, a spring Colloquium has been introduced in eastern Europe, and a Diploma in Biblical Studies launched.
Rented rooms in Newcastle’s Alderman Fenwick’s House worked well for the seminary through the early years but, with the student body growing rapidly by God’s grace, it has become clear that we will soon need a permanent home. In September trustees took the decision to throw the net wider than Newcastle, and a day of fasting and prayer was held for the Lord’s leading.
Then, unexpectedly, Oxford Presbyterian Church (OPC) approached us, offering a stunning facility next door to their own church building on very generous terms. An active supporter of the Seminary, OPC recognised that the Lord had been generous to them in the provision of The North Gate Hall and the adjoining Union House, and wanted the House used for the advance of the gospel across the UK and beyond.
Union House is on St. Michael’s Street, at the very heart of the university city and opposite the University Student Union building. The North Gate Hall, built as a Methodist chapel in 1871, was home to Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union for almost 60 years. The area is steeped in history: 400 yards away is Christ Church College, home to John Owen, Oxford’s Vice Chancellor; J.I. Packer discovered the Puritan’s writings for the first time in the basement of The North Gate Hall! The Oxford Martyrs—Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer—gave heroic witness to their love for Christ by the North Gate itself.
As we have confronted the challenges of such a move, door after door has opened. Residential property in the very centre of Oxford rarely comes up for sale due to its attractiveness to the University; wonderfully, four properties—next door again to Union House and in an adjacent street—became available at the same time, were acquired, and are also being offered to the seminary. Once refurbished, these should provide students with accommodation at rates they can afford—subsidised by revenue from tourists and visiting scholars during the summer months. Planning permission for the necessary change in use for Union House has been received.
The more we have looked into it, the more we have realised the possibilities. Oxford’s libraries are among the best in the world; the city regularly plays host to visiting Reformed scholars; and its proximity to Heathrow International Airport significantly eases international travel.
We plan to open our new premises on Tuesday 18 August 2026, marking the occasion with four days’ teaching on the Westminster Standards from Dr Chad Van Dixhoorn, Professor of Church History and Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, USA. Many of you will know Dr Van Dixhoorn as a leading expert on the work of the Westminster Assembly, and an advisor to Westminster UK.
Brothers and sisters, we would greatly value your joining with us in praying for the Lord’s blessing and protection upon this work; especially that, as opportunities for usefulness expand, we would remain small in our own eyes. Please also uphold us:
as we take the practical steps needed to prepare for this move;
as we fit out and refurbish Union House and student accommodation;
as talks progress about a possible Northern Hub—of which we will share more in due course.
Finally, we invite you to hear more about our proposed relocation to Oxford by watching this short video below:
Yours in Christ,
Donald John MacLean & Ian Hamilton
President & Chairman of Trustees
