Theologisches Studienhaus Greifswald

The Theologisches Studienhaus Greifswald (officially Stiftung Theologisches Studienhaus Greifswald) is a Protestant theological student residence and foundation in Greifswald, Germany. It was founded on 20 April 1897 by Victor Schultze at Steinstraße 3 in Greifswald as an institution for the promotion of academic-theological young talent. Its original aim was to form representatives of "positive" theology, with Hermann Cremer serving as patron and shaping biblical exegesis and house devotions as the core programmatic elements. Although that specific goal was a transitional phase, many of its inspectors went on to become professors, the best-known being Albrecht Alt and Martin Noth. Women have been admitted since 1966. The Studienhaus offers students of theology and other subjects a space for shared living and working. Its self-described characteristics include living in fully furnished single rooms of 11–17 square meters in a bright, friendly old building; faith formation through discussion of questions of belief and life; study support with its own house library; and leisure activities such as communal activities, a Studienhaus retreat, and cooking together. It maintains friendly contacts with many other Studienhäuser in Germany. Since 2007 the Studienhaus has been an independent foundation of the Pommersche Evangelische Kirche, and since 2012 of the Pommerscher Kirchenkreis of the Nordkirche. Its purpose is primarily to provide theology and religious education students with affordable housing and individual study guidance. The foundation is led by a Kuratorium (board of trustees) that includes two representatives of the Pommerscher Evangelischer Kirchenkreis appointed by the Kirchenkreisrat, the dean of the Theological Faculty, two full professors of that faculty (including the Ephorus) appointed by the Kirchenkreisrat on the faculty's proposal, and the Senior of the Studienhaus, who is elected for two semesters from among the residents. Notable former residents include Eberhard Natho, church president of the Evangelical Land Church of Anhalt, and Carl Bertheau III, co-founder of the Bekennende Kirche in Hamburg. Former inspectors include Richard Grützmacher, Albrecht Alt, Martin Noth, and Horst Beintker. The house's history has been shaped above all by its students.

The Theologisches Studienhaus Greifswald was founded on 20 April 1897 by Victor Schultze in Greifswald as an institution for the promotion of academic-theological young talent. It was established at Steinstraße 3. Hermann Cremer became its patron (Schirmherr) and made biblical exegesis and house devotions the core programmatic elements. The house was originally intended to produce representatives of "positive" theology. Although this goal proved to be a transitional phase, many of its inspectors went on to become professors; the best-known among them are Albrecht Alt and Martin Noth. The history of the house was shaped above all by its students. Since 1966, women have also been admitted. Friendly contacts are maintained with many other Studienhäuser in Germany. Since 2007, the Studienhaus has been an independent foundation of the Pommersche Evangelische Kirche, and since 2012 of the Pommerscher Kirchenkreis of the Nordkirche. Its purpose is primarily to provide students of theology and religious education with affordable housing and individual study guidance. The foundation is led by a Kuratorium (board of trustees). Its members include two representatives of the Pommerscher Evangelischer Kirchenkreis appointed by the Kirchenkreisrat, the dean of the Theological Faculty, two full professors of that faculty (including the Ephorus) appointed by the Kirchenkreisrat on the faculty's proposal, and the Senior of the Studienhaus. The Senior is elected for two semesters from among the residents of the house. Notable former residents include Eberhard Natho (church president of the Evangelical Land Church of Anhalt) and Carl Bertheau III (co-founder of the Bekennende Kirche in Hamburg). Former inspectors include Richard Grützmacher, Albrecht Alt, Martin Noth, and Horst Beintker. Literature on the house includes Irmfried Garbe's works: "Das Überwintern 'positiver Theologie'. Zur Vor- und Frühgeschichte des Theologischen Studienhauses Greifswald" (Greifswald, 1997, Festschrift for the 100th anniversary) and "Die Entstehung des Theologischen Studienhauses Greifswald. Zugleich ein Kapitel zur Genese der Kirchlichen Hochschulen" in "Greifswalder theologische Profile" (Frankfurt am Main, 2006).

• 2012

  Became a foundation of the Pommerscher Kirchenkreis of the Nordkirche.

• 2007

  Became an independent foundation of the Pommersche Evangelische Kirche.

• 1997

  100th anniversary celebrated; Festschrift by Irmfried Garbe published.

• 1966

  Women admitted to the Studienhaus for the first time.

• 1897

  Founded on 20 April by Victor Schultze in Greifswald as an institution for academic-theological young talent promotion.

A historic Protestant theological student residence and foundation offering affordable housing, study support, and Christian community in Greifswald.

• Student housing

  Fully furnished single rooms of 11–17 sqm in a bright, friendly old building.

• Study guidance

  Individual study support and a house library for theology studies.

• Community life

  Communal activities, Studienhaus retreats, and shared cooking.

• Faith formation

  Discussion of faith and life questions in an atmosphere of respect and tolerance.

1. 1Stiftung Theologisches Studienhaus – official websitestudienhaus-greifswald.de
2. 2Theologisches Studienhaus Greifswald – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Theologisches Studienhaus Greifswald – Wikidatawikidata.org