Westminster University history

1841 The name changed to The Royal Polytechnic Institution when Prince Albert – Queen Victoria's consort – became Patron.

Since its beginnings in 1852, Westminster College has been a church-related institution.

An Education in Sport Competition, communities and identities at the University of Westminster since 1864 Mark Clapson Part of the The History of University of Westminster series.

Today, Westminster exists as a fully independent, privately funded, nondenominational, comprehensive liberal arts institution of higher learning with selected graduate programs, meeting the West's educational needs as it has since 1875.

1881 Hogg purchased 309 Regent Street and the Institute moved into the West End, where it soon became known as the Polytechnic.

1884 A gymnasium and swimming pool were installed in Regent Street and the remarkable growth and success of the Sports Clubs began.

1886 The Polytechnic Secondary School was opened.

1888 The first school journey abroad to Switzerland.

1891 The Polytechnic became publicly funded, and was renamed Regent Street Polytechnic.

the venue for the first public moving picture show in the UK, organised by the Lumière brothers (1896)

In 1902, college trustees adopted the new name, Westminster.

1903 Quintin Hogg died.

Converse Hall, the first building on the new campus, was completed in 1906.

organising the first marathon race (at the London Olympics) over the now traditional distance of 26 miles, 385 yards (1908)

At the end of a twelve-year effort, lack of funds and students caused college level courses to be suspended in 1909.

1910–12 The old Polytechnic building was demolished and rebuilt, retaining the theatre, swimming pool and gymnasium behind the new façade.

Moving to its present location in 1911, Westminster became the first accredited two-year junior college in the intermountain area.

King George V and Queen Mary opened the new building in 1912.

1913—Appointed Herbert Reherd as first residential president; classes offered again

In 1914 the first two years of college work were again offered.

In 1929 the Polytechnic Extension building in Little Titchfield Street was opened by Queen Mary.

1935—Adopted a four-year junior college format offering associate’s degrees in addition to a high school diploma

1945–70 Courses expanded to meet the training needs of returning ex-servicemen and women.

On March 5, 1946, Sir Winston Churchill visited Westminster College as the Green Lecturer and delivered "Sinews of Peace," a message heard round the world that went down in history as the "Iron Curtain Speech."

Many veterans funded by the G.I. Bill came to the campus, enlarging the student body to 318 in 1949.

Beginning in 1964, funding started from the United States government in the form of educational building grants.

1968—Held first baccalaureate classes in St Mark’s School of Nursing

1970–92 PCL was one of 30 new polytechnics formed in 1970 awarding degrees from the Council of National Academic Awards.

The Presbyterian church formally ended its ownership of the college in 1974.

Westminster College was traditionally an all-male institution until 1979, when the first coeducational class was admitted in a dramatic move that propelled the College into the future.

1983—Officially closed college—and immediately reopened as Westminster College of Salt Lake City

1992 PCL gained University status, bringing the right to award its own degrees and to participate in publicly funded research.

Disclaimer: Information on this site was converted from a hard cover book published by University of Utah Press in 1994.

The College is open to the moral and spiritual character of different religious traditions and resolves to continue its participation in both ecumenical and interfaith endeavors." Covenant Agreement with Synod of the Trinity, 2008.