In 1956, The Very Rev. Eusebe M. Menard, O.F.M., founded Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut, to provide a college-level program of education and formation for men discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Holy Apostles Seminary started as a college-level, preparatory seminary, which Father Menard entrusted to the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles.
In 1972, in accordance with both the directives of Vatican Council II and its responsibilities to the larger Christian community, Holy Apostles College and Seminary broadened its purpose to include undergraduate degrees for men who were not seminarians and for women. Both Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees were offered.
In 1978, the focus of the seminary program broadened to include a graduate degree program in addition to the undergraduate seminary program. For the first time, seminarians were able to earn the Master of Divinity degree and complete the entire program of priestly formation at Holy Apostles Seminary.
In 1979, Holy Apostles College and Seminary received accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.
In 1982, the Holy Apostles College and Seminary began offering the Master of Arts degree to further educate the laity in the faith and to prepare them to serve in the many apostolates of the Church.
The Missionaries of the Holy Apostles invited the bishops of Connecticut to serve on the Board of Directors with the Bishop of Norwich as Chancellor in 1984. This episcopal oversight, together with the participation of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles and lay membership on the Board, blends the charism of the institution with ecclesial and professional expertise.
In 1998, Holy Apostles College and Seminary added to its programs the Post-Master’s Certificate in Theology, to enable students to earn a graduate certificate beyond the Master of Arts. That same year, the Online Learning Program was added to allow students to earn a Master of Arts degree in Theology or Philosophy online.
In 2001, non-degree graduate Certificate Programs were expanded to enable students to receive a foundational graduate education.
In 2003, Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s Online Learning Program received full-accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
In 2004, Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s Online Learning Program received full-accreditation from the Connecticut Department of Higher Education (CDHE). Beginning in May of 2004, the Graduating Class of Holy Apostles College and Seminary included – for the first time – students who had received their entire education with us online, beginning as far back as 1998.
In 2011, the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies program was added to enable students to receive training in practical theological fields.
In 2012, the first undergraduate-level courses were made available online, and in 2014, the college received approval from the State of Connecticut Office of Higher Education to offer all of its undergraduate programs 100% online.
In 2014, Holy Apostles College and Seminary received Associate Membership in the Association of Theological Schools. In June of 2017, Holy Apostles College and Seminary received full accreditation by the Association of Theological Schools.