Assumption Seminary's Heritage

The seminary’s past all stemmed from a humble beginning in 1915 as Bishop John W. Shaw opened the seminary in his residence. Five years later, the school was given the name of St. John’s Seminary and relocated to a site adjacent to Mission Concepción, which is now a part of the San Antonio Missions World Heritage site. In 1928, a theology department was added with priests from the San Antonio Archdiocese forming the core of faculty for the flourishing seminary.

 

In 1952, Archbishop Lucey purchased a facility on Woodlawn Avenue from Trinity University and renamed St. John’s Seminary to Assumption Seminary.

 

Forward thinking archdiocesan leaders opened the Mexican American Cultural Center (MAAC) next door to the Woodlawn Avenue campus in 1972 in anticipation of needing more bilingual priests to minister to the growing numbers of Spanish speaking parishioners throughout South Texas.

 

Today, Assumption Seminary’s beautifully-landscaped campus sits on ___ acres and features a newly-renovated community chapel, a $5 million learning and meeting center, restored seminarian residence halls and numerous student-focused amenities.

 

For academics, Assumption Seminary partners with the University of the Incarnate Word and MAAC for seminarian college degree plans, Oblate School of Theology for theological and spiritual studies.

 

Assumption’s rector is Bishop Gary Janak, who is an Assumption Seminary alumnus.