United Theological College of the West Indies - UTCWI

UTCWI is first and foremost, a seminary to which Participating Churches send for training, candidates whom they have selected with a view to ordination.

The UTCWI is the most significant example of ecumenism in the Caribbean. Dedicated on Wednesday, April 27, 1966 it was formed by the co-operation of the following denominations:

The Anglican Church, Jamaica Diocese,
The Disciples of Christ in Jamaica,
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana,
The Guyana Presbyterian Church,
The Jamaica Baptist Union,
The Methodist Church in the Caribbean and th

e Americas,
The Moravian Church, East West Indies Province,
The Moravian Church, Jamaica Province,
The Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Grenada
The United Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman now the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. The present site was purchased with a grant of 33,500 Pounds from the Theological Education Fund of the World Council of Churches. The buildings were made to house 110 students and provision was made for 9 staff houses. Denominations contributed 1,600 Pounds for each student place requested. Subsequent to this,accommodation for the President and another Warden were constructed and in 1994,20 apartments were provided for married students. From the very beginning, the College entered a working relationship with the University of the West Indies and was established as the Department of Theology in the Faculty of Arts and General Studies (now Arts and Education). The UTCWI co-operates with the Columbia Theological Seminary in Georgia, U.S.A. in offering a Doctor of Ministry degree. Since its inception, over 900 Christian leaders, trained by the institution, have received a greater understanding of the beliefs, worship and traditions of the various denominations.Academically, the graduates have excelled not only in the Caribbean but also abroad. There are graduates who are faithfully fulfilling their roles as Pastors, Priests, Deaconesses and lay persons throughout the region and beyond. WORSHIP

Worship is central to the life of the college. Devotions are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11:00-11:30 a.m. On Wednesdays there is a full-length service starting at 10:00-11:30 a.m. These are all conducted by members of faculty and students on an ecumenical basis. Holy Communion services are held every first Wednesday of the month and are conducted according to the traditions of the Participating Communions. Most denominations also hold regular weekend services on campus to which all members of the community are invited.

24/03/2026

The 2025/2026 executive of the Students' Association making a cash donation of $170,000 to the College to assist with renovation and rebuilding projects (as a part of marking the 60th anniversary of the College).

From left to right: Rev. Jean Charmy Gabriel (Financial Officer, Students' Association); Rev. Dr. Karen Durant-McSweeney (Interim President, UTCWI); Debesha Grant Roberts (President, Students' Association); Patrice Edmond (General Secretary, Students' Association); Rev. Kevington Pemberton (Vice President, Students' Association).