Created by Md Omar Faruq
Last edited April 14, 2026

About: UGC-recognised undergraduate courses (for the Clergy) and diploma, undergraduate and master's courses (for the Laity) offered by ACTC


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Template:Infobox university Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary[1] in Telangana which was founded in 1964.[2] It is affiliated with India's first[3] university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956),[4][5] and has degree-granting authority under a Danish charter ratified by the government of West Bengal.[6] ACTC is on the Hussain Sagar canal (north) in Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, about Template:Convert from the Secunderabad Junction railway station.[7]

Participating ecclesiastical societies,
Andhra Christian Theological College,
Secunderabad, Telangana

History

The college was founded on the Lutheran Theological College campus in Rajahmundry and the founding societies included[8][10] the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Church of South India, the Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars, the Methodist Church in India and the South Andhra Lutheran Church. The Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches held its B.D. classes at ACTC in 1967, and in 1972 the B.D. programme of the Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary was integrated into the college. When M. Victor Paul was principal (1991–1993), Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church joined the college.[11][12][10]

Christian missions in Andhra Pradesh[13] opened seminaries in Gooty (Union Theological Seminary),[14] Dornakal (Andhra Union Theological College,[15] for the Church of South India), Ramayapatnam (Baptist Theological Seminary, for the American Baptists), Luthergiri[16] (Lutheran Theological College), Kakinada (Baptist Theological Seminary, for Canadian Baptists) and Shamshabad (Mennonite Brethren Centenary Bible College, for the Anabaptists). Although professors were exchanged among the seminaries, Bachelor of Divinity students attended Serampore College in West Bengal.

In 1964, the college was founded in Luthergiri, Rajahmundry, East Godavari with the merger of three[17] theological colleges.[18] In 1967, Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary, Ramayapatnam moved from Ramayapatnam to Rajahmundry, as a separate part of the college in Rajahmundry until it merged in 1972.[12][19][11]

With William D. Coleman as its first principal, the college was dedicated on 1 July[19] 1964 by R. M. Clark[19] of the BTESSC.Template:Efn The inaugural address was delivered by Senate of Serampore College registrar C. Devasahayam in Rajahmundry.[21]

Relocation

By 1973, the college had moved from Rajahmundry to Secunderabad due to pollution from nearby paper mills.[22] The new buildings were dedicated by Church of South India bishop Pereji Solomon in the presence of Catholic archbishop Samineni Arulappa and seminarians from St. John's Regional Seminary.[23] During the 1990s, the college's postal address changed to Hyderabad (now in Telangana). Template:Multiple image

Overview

Kretzmann Commission

ACTC constituted the Kretzmann Commission in 1969,[24] consisting of:

The commission's report, presented to the board of governors, suggested increasing the Bachelor of Divinity curriculum and abolishing the Licentiate in Theology programme.

Template:AnchorAdministration and faculty

Template:AnchorBoard of governors

Succession of Old Testament faculty at ACTC, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh Template:Small and Secunderabad, Telangana Template:Small

The college is administered by a board of governors composed of representatives of participating Protestant ecclesiastical societies:

Motto

Succession of New Testament faculty at ACTC, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh Template:Small and Secunderabad, Telangana Template:Small

The college motto is derived from Ephesians 4:12, which reads in the Latin Vulgate: "Ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii..."[50] ("For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry..." in the King James Version).

Template:AnchorHall system

W. D. Coleman, the college's first principal, explained the hall system: "Each of the participating denominations has its own 'hall'. There are two hours of instruction each week about the liturgy, history, and policy of each denomination".[51]

The churches commonly associated with Protestantism in southern India include the Anglicans, Congregationalists, Wesleyan Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans and Methodists. Each church has its own tradition. At ACTC, students learn their respective church doctrine in addition to general theology.[52]

Template:AnchorPrincipals

The principal serves a four-year term (2022–2026), with each participating church having an opportunity to provide a principal. The current principal is the Rev. G. Varaprasad, AELC, D.Th. (Serampore).

Succession of Principals at Andhra Christian Theological College,
Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh Template:Small and Secunderabad, Telangana Template:Small
Term Years Church Society Tradition No. Principals Domicile
1964–1973 8 AELC Lutheran 1. W. D. Coleman, PhD (Hartford) United States
1973–1980 8 CSI Wesleyan Methodist 2. P. Victor Premasagar, PhD (St Andrews) Telangana
1980–1986 6 CBCNC Baptist 3. K. David, PhD (Edinburgh) Andhra Pradesh
1986–1990 4 STBC Baptist 4. S. Joseph, D.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
1990–1994 4 AELC Lutheran 5. M. Victor Paul, D.Min. (Luther) Andhra Pradesh
6. G. Sampurna Rao, D.Min. (McCormick) Andhra Pradesh
1994–1998 4 CSI Wesleyan Methodist 7. R. Yesurathnam, D.Th. (Serampore) Telangana
1998–2002 4 CBCNC Baptist 8. K. D. G. Prakasa Rao, M.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
9. D. J. Jeremiah, M. Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
2002–2006 4 STBC Baptist 10. B. J. Christie Kumar, M.Th. (Serampore) Telangana
2006–2010 4 AELC Lutheran 11. N. V. Luther Paul, D.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
2010–2014 4 CSI Wesleyan Methodist 12. Ch. Vasantha Rao, Dr. Theol. (Hamburg) Telangana
2014–2018[53] 4 CBCNC Baptist 13. T. Matthews Emmanuel, D.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
14. N. V. Vijaya Kumari, M.Th. (Serampore) Telangana
2018–2022 4 STBC Baptist 15. A. John Prabhakar, D. Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
2022–2026 4 AELC Lutheran 16. T. Swami Raju,[54] D.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
17. G. Varaprasad, D.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh

Serampore University affiliation

Drawing of a large building with columns
1887 drawing of Senate of Serampore College (University)

The college has affiliated since its founding with the Senate of Serampore College (University).[55]

Template:AnchorDegrees for pastors

ACTC and Serampore[56] offer two degrees for pastors: Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) and Master of Theology (M. Th.) under the aegis of Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture (ARRC).[55] Template:Multiple image

Template:AnchorDistance education

Through distance education, ACTC has Bachelor of Christian Studies (B.C.S.) and Master of Christian Studies (M.C.S.) programmes for Christian students[57] and a Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip. C.S.) programme for Christian and non-Christian students.[55]

Template:AnchorRegistrar visits

When the college was founded in 1964, university registrar Chetti Devasahayam (CBCNC) delivered its inaugural address;[21] registrar D. S. Satyaranjan visited the college annually. Current registrar S. K. Patro has visited ACTC to investigate the prospect of upgrading the college to a postgraduate institution.[58]

Template:AnchorUniversity convocations

Template:Multiple image

Template:Anchor Master of Divinity programme through ATA

The college has begun an initiative to admit Christian candidates to a M.Div. programme, for which it has been accredited by the Asia Theological Association.[66]

Present active faculty[67][68][53][69]
Sl.
No.
Subject Name Gender Tradition Highest
Degree
Alma mater University
I. Christian ministry L. Anitha, MCI F Methodist M.Th. GLTC, Chennai[70] Serampore
II. New Testament Ch. Helen Salomy, STBC[71] F Baptist M.Th. UTC, Bangalore[72] Serampore
III. History of Christianity P. Usha Priya,[73] STBC F Baptist M.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
IV. Religions K. Vimalesh Kumari,[74] STBC F Baptist M.Th. ARRC, Hyderabad Serampore
V. Christian theology S. Angela Veronica, AELC[75] F Lutheran M.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
VI. Old Testament G. David,[76] SALC M Lutheran M.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
VII. Christian Ethics K. Silo, CSI[77] M Anglican M.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
VIII. New Testament V. John Pradeep Kumar, AELC[78] M Lutheran M.Th. GLTC, Chennai Serampore
IX. History of Christianity D. Dasu, CBCNC M Baptist M.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
X. Communication V. Alfred Sudhakar, CBCNC[79] M Baptist M.Th. TTS, Madurai Serampore
XI. Christian Ministry Y. J. Rajendra Prasad,[80] STBC M Baptist D.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
XII. New Testament G. Niranjan Nishchal,[81] CSI M Wesleyan Methodist M.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
XIII. Missiology Ch. Joshi Ananda Prakash, AELC M Lutheran M.Th. GLTC, Chennai[82] Serampore
XIV. Social Analysis M. Yonathan,[83] STBC M Baptist M.Th. TTS, Madurai Serampore
XV. Old Testament[71] K. Joseph Premavardhan,[84] CSI[85] M Congregational M. Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
XVI. Christian theology B. N. Ratna Prakash,[86] AELC M Lutheran M.Th. TTS, Madurai Serampore
XVII. Christian Ethics B. Sunil Vara Kumar, CSI[87] M Congregational D.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
XVIII. Old Testament G. Varaprasad, AELC M Lutheran D.Th. UTC, Bangalore[88] Serampore
Faculty on study leave
Subject Name Gender Denomination Degree Studying Institution Leave period
Christian theology S. I. Nirmal Kumar, CBCNC[82] M Baptist M.Th. D.Th. ETC, Jorhat 2023-2026
Christian theology M. Gnanak Gerhardson, CSI M Wesleyan Methodist M.Th. D.Th. NIIPGTS,
Kolkata
2024-2027

ACTC's library has reading-room facilities, over 38,000[89] books and 35 periodicals. When the college was founded, it was known as the Dunkelberger Memorial Library.[19] The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America[90] had sponsored the library[90] in memory of Roy Martin Dunkelberger,[91] AELC, a Lutheran missionary in Rajahmundry.[92]

The library was renamed the Gipson Memorial Library in 2014 in honour of Baptist missionary T. G. Gipson, STBC, who had modernized the library during his second term as a visiting faculty member at the college.[93] The renaming ceremony was held during the tenure of T. Matthews Emmanuel (CBCNC) as principal, in the presence of board of governors chair K. Frederick Paradesi Babu (AELC) and board member V. Prasada Rao (CSI).

Template:AnchorStudent life

ACTC has recreational facilities which include throwball, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a table tennis room and a playing field for football and cricket. Daily mass is said in the chapel for students and teachers, and Sunday mass is open to the public. College festivals include the Christian Home Festival, Carey Day, CSI Day, Reformation Day, and Independence Day.

Template:AnchorNotable figures

Past Faculty

Template:Columns-list

Alumni

Template:Columns-list

Board of Governors

Template:Columns-list

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

  1. Roger E. Hedlund, World Christianity: South Asia, Missions Advanced Research and Communication Center, 1980, p.48. [1]
  2. M. Ezra Sargunam (Edited), Mission Mandate: A compendium of the perspective of missions in India, Mission India, Madras, 1992, p.495. [2]
  3. Sankar Ray, The Hindu (Business Line), 11 April 2008 "Almost a century later, the charter was endorsed officially under the Bengal Govt Act IV of 1918." Internet, accessed 30 November 2008. [3]
  4. UGC Act-1956. mhrd.gov.in/. Secretary, University Grants Commission. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  5. The Senate of Serampore College (University) is a University within the meaning of Section 2 (f) of the UGC Act, 1956 under which a University means a University established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a State Act, and includes any such institution as may, in consultation with the University concerned, be recognised by the Commission in accordance with the regulations made in this behalf under this Act. The UGC took the opinion that the Senate fell under the purview of Section 2 (f) of the said Act since The Serampore College Act, 1918 was passed by the Government of West Bengal.[4] Template:Webarchive
  6. History of Council of Serampore College.
  7. Andhra Christian Theological College to Secunderabad Junction. Andhra Christian Theological College to Secunderabad Junction.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Prospectus ACTC, Printed by A. Nageswara Rao at Saraswathi Power Press, Rajahmundry, 1969, p.4.
  9. Foundations, Volume 11, American Baptist Historical Society, 1968. p. 321. [5]
  10. 10.0 10.1 Rajaiah David Paul, Ecumenism in action: a historical survey of the Church of South India, Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1972, p.146. [6]
  11. 11.0 11.1 Foundations: A Baptist Journal of History and Theology, Volumes 11-12, American Baptist Historical Society, 1968, pp.320-321. [7]
  12. 12.0 12.1 Year Book of the American Baptist Convention, Convention, American Baptist(19 October 1971).
  13. Martin Senftleben [8] Template:Webarchive Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 23 April 2006.
  14. Edmund Davies draws attention to Prof. Wilfred Scopes, a Missionary of the London Missionary Society who taught in the seminaries in Gooty and Dornakal. Edmund Davis, The History of Theological Education in Jamaica: The United Theological College of the West Indies and its four antecedent colleges (1841-1966), 1998, page 167. [9]
  15. Library file. Retrieved 5 March 2006.
  16. Winnipeg Free Press [10] United Lutheran Church Advances - The Board sends new missionaries to each of six foreign mission fields. Retrieved 23 April 2006.
  17. J. Herbert Kane, A Global View of Christian Missions from Pentecost to the Present, Baker Book House, 1971, p.120. [11]
  18. Victor Premasagar Merging Currents, Inc.: Books on Christianity in India, Hinduism and Indian culture and history: Titles. Retrieved 2006-04-25. Interpretive Diary of a Bishop, Chennai, 2001, p.88
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Margaret Eunice Hawkinson née Coleman, That they may be one - The Story of the Andhra Christian Theological College, Published by the Mission Council of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, and printed at the Lenox Press, Madurai, 1966. [12]
  20. 20.0 20.1 1966 Yearbook of the Lutheran Church in America, United Lutheran publication house, 1965, p.11.[13]
  21. 21.0 21.1 Baptist Year Book for the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, Quebec, Baptist Convention of Ontario and. Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec.(19 October 1959).
  22. Minutes of the Biennial Convention, Issue 7, Lutheran Church in America, 1974, p.553.[14]
  23. ACTC web site. Milestones. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  24. Martin Kretzmann (1906-2000) was a missionary to India and was also instrumental in affiliating the Concordia Theological Seminary, Nagercoil with the Senate of Serampore College (University). India Evangelical Lutheran Church. Retrieved 2006-04-23. Internet, accessed 23 April 2006.
  25. List of Doctoral Dissertations in History Now in Progress at Universities in the United States and the Dominion of Canada(19 November 1958).
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 Talathoti Punnaiah, My Memoir, Ministry and Message - 60 years Life Experiences 1950-2010, Craig Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakinada, 2010, pp.11, 12, 18, 23, 33.
  27. The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's Who, Bennett and Coleman, Bombay, 1954, p.961.[15]
  28. John C. England, et al. (Edited), Asian Christian Theologies, Volume 2, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2002, pp.275-276. [16]
  29. G. Solomon, The Concept of Suffering in the Bible and in Hinduism, Eastern University (United States), Pennsylvania, 1957. [17]
  30. Guide to Indian Periodical Literature. Indian Documentation Service(19 October 1989).
  31. Faith Lutheran Church, Volume 2, Issue 9, September 2015, p.3.
  32. Missionalia. The Society(19 October 2004).
  33. Missionalia. The Society(19 October 2007).
  34. Journal of the Henry Martyn Institute, Volume 18, Issue 1, 1999, p.4.[18]
  35. Guide to Indian Periodical Literature. Indian Documentation Service(19 October 2006).
  36. Ravela Jeeva Kumar, Struggle for land rights in 1 Kings 21 : a dalit hermeneutic perspective, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2012. [19]
  37. Indian Journal of Theology, Volume 18, 2-3, April–September 1969, p.196. [20]
  38. University of Edinburgh Journal. University of Edinburgh, Graduates' Association(19 October 1991).
  39. Victor Paul has a postgraduate degree in New Testament from the Senate of Serampore College (University). In addition, he also has a doctoral degree in the field of Christian Ministry.
  40. K. M. Hiwale (Compiled), Directory 1910-1997 of the United Theological College, Bangalore, 1997, p.111
  41. 70 years of God's Faithfulness: CSI (Medak Diocese) UK Telugu Christians Souvenir commemorating the 70th year of the formation of the Church of South India, 2016, p.15.[21] Template:Webarchive
  42. The Bulletin of the Henry Martyn Institute of Islamic Studies, Volume 12, 1993, p.2.[22]
  43. Reconciliation as the mission of God, Reconciliation Network, 2005, p.23.[23]
  44. International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Volume 19, Number 2, April 1995, p.67.Template:Usurped
  45. List of Recipients of Doctor of Theology Degree, Senate of Serampore College (University). [24] Template:Webarchive
  46. Lisa Lohnes, W5 on Missions, Tidings, p.16, September 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  47. Church of South India Synod, Diocese of Medak. [25]
  48. Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on 17 July 2012, p.32.
  49. Church of South India Synod, Pastoral Concerns Department, Lenten Meditations, 2020.[26]
  50. Vulgate, Ephesians 4 Retrieved 23 April 2006.
  51. Edgar R. Trexler, Mission in a New World, Fortress Press, 1977. p. 29.[27]
  52. The American Lutheran, American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi (town), New York, 1965. p. 12. [28]
  53. 53.0 53.1 Principal's Annual Report 2016-2017 presented at the 53rd graduation service, ACTC, Hyderabad
  54. Principal's Annual Report 2023-2024 presented at the 60th graduation service, ACTC, Hyderabad
  55. 55.0 55.1 55.2 Archived copy. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  56. Nature of Serampore degrees. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  57. P. Satyanarayana, Emmanuel D.K. Meduri, Use of Distance Education by Christian Religion to Train, Edify and Educate Adherents, Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, Volume 14, Number 2, April 2013. [29]
  58. 58.0 58.1 58.2 58.3 58.4 58.5 58.6 58.7 Address of the President of the Senate, 2016 Convocation of the University. [30]
  59. 59.0 59.1 Religion and Society, Volume 26, Issue 2, Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore, 1979, p.77. [31]
  60. The Story of Serampore and its College, Council of Serampore College, Serampore (Fourth Edition), 2005, p.92.
  61. 61.0 61.1 61.2 61.3 Senate Presidents and Speakers at Convocations. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  62. St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad. [32]
  63. Convocation brochure of the University, 1979, Secunderabad
  64. The Bulletin of the Henry Martyn Institute of Islamic Studies, Volume 12, 1993, p.2. [33]
  65. Bangalore Theological Forum. Division of Research and Post-graduate Studies, United Theological College(19 October 1993).
  66. Asia Theological Association, Accredited Member List.[34]
  67. Senate of Serampore College (University), Faculty with subjects taught.[35] Template:Webarchive
  68. Principal's Annual Report 2015-2016 in the 52nd graduation service booklet of the Andhra Christian Theological College, 2016, pp.17-30.
  69. Principal's Annual Report 2024-2025 in the 61st graduation service booklet of the Andhra Christian Theological College, 2025, p.24
  70. Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Projects, Academic and Administrative Committees, Library Committee. [36] Template:Webarchive
  71. 71.0 71.1 Senate of Serampore College (University), United Theological College, Bangalore - Examination Registration 2013 in Master of Theology.[37] Template:Webarchive
  72. Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on 17 July 2012, p.30. [38] Template:Webarchive
  73. Senate of Serampore College (University), Assets, UTC, Bangalore.[39]
  74. SSC, Teaching Faculty
  75. Senate of Serampore College, List of Faculty in Affiliated Colleges. [40]
  76. UTC College Prize Winners 2022-2023
  77. Silo Karedi
  78. Serampore Faculty List, Chennai
  79. Senate of Serampore College (University), Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary, Madurai, 2020, p.2.[41]
  80. Senate of Serampore College (University), Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on July 15–16, 2010, p.260. [42] Template:Webarchive
  81. Church of South India Synod, Pastoral Concerns Department Lenten Meditations 2020.[43]
  82. 82.0 82.1 Directory of Teaching Staff, Senate of Serampore College (University). [44]
  83. Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on July 17, 2012, p.30.[45] Template:Webarchive
  84. K. James Cecil Victor (Edited), Sermon Outlines 2016, Based on the Third cycle (Year C) of the revised common lectionary of CSI, CNI and MTC.[46]
  85. Church of South India Synod, Rayalaseema Diocese Ministerial roll.[47]
  86. Senate of Serampore College (University), List of faculty.[48] Template:Webarchive
  87. Bellam Sunil Vara Kumar, Dynamics of Power Sharing Between Mala and Madiga in Church, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2010.[49]
  88. Senate of Serampore College (University), Doctor of Theology. [50] Template:Webarchive
  89. Paul, Luther N.V.L., Principal's Annual Report 2007-2008, for private circulation, pp. 10-24
  90. 90.0 90.1 Minutes of the twentieth biennial Convention of the United Lutheran Church in America, Board of Publication of the United Lutheran Church in America, 1956, p.991. [51]
  91. Martin Luther Dolbeer, The Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church: A Brief History, Department of Religious Education of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1951, p.145. [52]
  92. Margaret Eunice Hawkinson née Coleman, The Church is Planted - A Biographical Record of the Missionaries in India of the Lutheran Church in America 1842-1987, Florida, 1987.[53]
  93. Tracy Gibson Memorial Library(22 November 2014).

Further reading

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