Abstract:
This article explores the long history of both industrial and theological education and
ministerial formation that since the 1850s has included, inter alia: Healdtown and
Lesseyton; Kamastone; D’urban (Peddie); Bollihope; Fort Hare and Rhodes
Universities; the Federal Theological Seminary and John Wesley College; and
Kilnerton, Pretoria. Taken together, the story of these places speaks of the Methodist
Church’s long-standing commitment to invest in the education and formation of those
who respond to God’s call to the ordained and other ministries (Seth Mokhitimi
Methodist Seminary 2018). Compared with Healdtown and Kilnerton, Lesseyton
institution is less well known and appreciated. Nevertheless, it played a significant
role in South African education in the Eastern Cape and particularly in industrial
training and education for ministry within the Methodist Church. This provides the
focus for this article.
