January Highlight: Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Preserving the Past, Building the Future: Exploring the Institutions of Taylors
As Taylors TownSquare reflects on its mission to foster belonging in our community, we’re reminded that a place’s identity is shaped by the institutions that call it home. From churches to schools, businesses to nonprofits, these pillars anchor us in history while charting paths toward a shared future. Throughout 2025, we’ll dive into the stories of these institutions, exploring how they contribute to the tapestry of life in Taylors. To start, let’s look at an incredible asset in our community: Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Founded in 1987, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (GPTS), located on Main Street in Taylors, equips its students with tools for ministry that resonate locally and globally. But GPTS’s story is also intertwined with the history of Taylors itself. Since 2003, the seminary has been housed in a building with deep roots in the community’s educational past: the former Taylors High School. The original structure, built in 1936, tragically burned down in December 1945 but was soon rebuilt. It served as a high school and later an elementary school, shaping the lives of generations of Taylors residents until it closed in 1981.
After a period of dormancy, The Academy of Arts purchased the property in 1987, breathing new life into the space. GPTS acquired the building in 2003 and began extensive renovations, completed in 2007, to transform it into the seminary we know today. This process preserved the building’s historical character while adapting it for theological education. Today, the halls that once prepared young minds for academic success now prepare pastors for ministry with wisdom, humility, and a steadfast commitment to truth.
At the heart of the seminary’s success is its visionary leadership. Dr. Joseph A. Pipa Jr., GPTS’s founder and long-time president, established the seminary to prepare pastors who are faithful to Scripture and the Westminster Standards. In 2023, Dr. Jonathan L. Master succeeded Dr. Pipa as president. Previously the Dean of the School of Divinity at Cairn University, Dr. Master is an accomplished scholar and administrator. Under his leadership, GPTS continues to uphold its mission while adapting to the needs of the modern church. Accredited by the Association of Reformed Theological Schools (ARTS) and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), GPTS equips its students with tools for ministry that resonate locally and globally.
We are proud to have GPTS with us on Main Street, Taylors. You can learn more about them at their website here.
If you found this helpful, I’d encourage you to consider how you can support Taylors TownSquare through your giving. We’re a nonprofit that is wholly funded through contributions, and you can join our work to build capacity in the Taylors community by giving here.
