Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Announces Move to Berkeley’s Holy Hill in 2027
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) plans to relocate to Berkeley’s Holy Hill in June 2027, moving into the first floor of the Flora Lamson Hewlett Library at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). The move coincides with the seminary’s 75th anniversary in the Bay Area and is intended to strengthen theological partnerships while directing more resources toward academic programs.
PLTS Rector Colleen Windham-Hughes, PhD, announced that the seminary has reached an agreement in principle with GTU, with final terms still being negotiated. The new location will place PLTS alongside other theological institutions, including Pacific School of Religion, and provide flexible space for residential intensives and other educational activities.
The move also marks a new chapter in PLTS’s longstanding relationship with GTU. A founding member of the consortium in 1962, PLTS announced its withdrawal in 2024 over financial sustainability concerns but has continued collaborating with GTU leadership. A restructured consortium and expanded digital library access now offer new opportunities for theological education and ecumenical partnership.
Windham-Hughes acknowledged the significance of leaving the seminary’s current home at 2000 Center Street. Opportunities to honor that space and gather at the new location will be announced in the coming months. PLTS is also exploring continued co-location with the Sierra Pacific Synod.
Learn More: State of the Seminary
PLTS will share additional details during its State of the Seminary gathering on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, at 4 p.m. Pacific (5 p.m. Arizona/Mountain) via Zoom. An invitation and meeting link will be distributed in advance, and a recording will be available afterward.
For Grand Canyon Synod congregations and leaders, this transition represents an investment in the future of Lutheran theological education, pastoral formation, and ecumenical collaboration.
Visit www.plts.edu for more information and updates.
