St Mellitus College

Patrick worked for many years as a lawyer, but in recent years sensed God’s call leading him in a different direction.

After completing a Certificate in Theology, the Elizabeth Pathway began to feel like the right next step. The Elizabeth Pathway aims to revitalise the Church by preparing mature and experienced lay leaders to serve in their local contexts as self-supporting ordained ministers. Designed as a two-year route, it offers discernment and training for ordination, supports diocesan and national discernment processes, and ordinarily prepares candidates for ordination within two years.

After visiting a St Mellitus Open Day, Patrick applied and was offered a place to study on the Elizabeth Pathway later that year. He shares how it felt the moment he received his offer:

“It was a very emotional moment as I felt that I was being led and affirmed by the Holy Spirit - until that moment I had not realised how much this journey meant to me.”

Patrick goes on to describe his experience on the Elizabeth Pathway at St Mellitus College,

“Spending time with my fellow students on the Elizabeth Pathway at our first residential weekend at the start of October was a deeply meaningful experience. There is a unique type of vulnerability which you experience as you seek to respond to God’s calling at this stage of life and to be able to meet with others who are ‘in the same boat’ and to realise that you share the same hopes and fears as you submit to God’s will, and that there is a role for you was a beautiful moment.”

🧵Read Patrick’s story in full here: https://stmellitus.ac.uk/stories/patrick-elizabeth-pathway

Are you an experienced leader called to serve in your local context?

👉 Find out more about the Elizabeth Pathway: https://stmellitus.ac.uk/elizabeth-pathway

📸This time last week, we were packing our laptops, prayers and dancing shoes for our final residential weekend of the academic year.

Residentials are a key part of ordination training at St Mellitus College, bringing together students from our centres in London, the East Midlands and the South West. As our final residential of the year, it was also a privilege to pray for our 88 ordinands as they prepare to be sent out to serve across 22 dioceses. We will continue to hold them in prayer as they step into this next chapter. Hallelujah!🎉

💬 What were your favourite moments from the weekend?

Beth is a P.E. teacher at a local high school and a former independent student at St Mellitus College. Beth completed her BA in Theology with a focus in Youth Ministry with us before pursuing her MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission, and graduated in Spring 2026. Congratulations Beth! 🎉

We asked Beth to share what stood out about her time studying at St Mellitus College:

“One of the things that really stands out is the people. I met some incredible people…Our retreat times were really significant for me as well. Also, being able to sit in lectures and have lightbulb moments and have discussions with people from all different walks of life, with so many different stories…I can honestly say the whole time, even the stressful moments, was such a joy.

In terms of my character, I’ve learnt to go slower and just sit and be. I’ve learnt how much richness there is around me in people, and to make the most of it …my time at St Mellitus really taught me how much God can teach me through someone else’s story, and being in a place like this, where everyone is here, everyone is represented, and you get that in all its fullness.”

Read Beth’s story here: https://stmellitus.ac.uk/stories/beth-alumni-story

Curious about studying theology in your context? 👇

🤲See the comments for a link to our prospectus.

How does theology shape the world we live in?

At St Mellitus College, we believe theology is for every Christian disciple and for every context. It shapes how we live, work, lead, listen, care, serve, make decisions, and follow Jesus in the places we already are.

Our pioneering context-based training brings together study, worship, formation, and mission to help form theologically confident and committed followers of Jesus. Rooted in Scripture, shaped by worship, and lived out in community, our training helps you deepen your faith, grow in confidence, and be formed for the contexts to which God has called you.
 
Theology is for every context.
 
Applications are open for September.
 
Visit stmellitus.ac.uk to apply today.
 

What is the community like?
What does it feel like to study there?
How will I know if it’s for me?

The best way to find out is to come and see.👏

📆Our final Open Days are taking place in June, and there is still time to visit one of our centres and experience life at St Mellitus College first-hand.

Visit us in London, the East Midlands, or the South West to:

✅ Meet our academic team.
✅ Speak with current students.
✅ Experience our worship, teaching and community.
✅ Explore our different pathways for study and formation

Whether you’re discerning ordination, considering theological study, or simply wondering what God might be inviting you into next, we would love to welcome you.

🔗Book now: https://stmellitus.ac.uk/events/open-days

As a studio manager in a luxury watch boutique, Amer’s path to ordination training at St Mellitus College has unfolded in a wonderfully unexpected way.

After a long journey of discernment, he found at St Mellitus a community that recognised his calling, prayed with him, and helped him grow in confidence.

Through worship, formation, academic study, and the support of those around him, Amer has discovered that theology is not simply about gaining knowledge, but about being shaped more deeply in the way of Jesus.

When asked why theological study matters beyond the walls of a college or church, Amer shared,

💬 ‘Studying theology shapes you. It broadens your perspective, sharpens your thinking, and strengthens your convictions. It teaches you to listen carefully to those who hold different views, not so that you are easily swayed, but so that you can understand, engage, and respond with clarity and grace.’

Read Amer’s story here: https://stmellitus.ac.uk/stories/amer-ordinand-story