History of Red Wing Seminary in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 26, 2026

Red Wing Seminary was a Lutheran seminary located in Red Wing, Minnesota. Established in 1879, it served as a theological school until its closure in 1932. The seminary's buildings were situated on College Hill, a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. It played a role in training ministers and shaping Lutheran education in the region during its operational years.

1917: Red Wing Facility Continues as Academy and Junior College

Following the merger in 1917, the Red Wing facility initially continued as an academy and junior college of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.

1917: End of Operation

In 1917, Red Wing Seminary's operations concluded.

1917: Formation of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America

In 1917, the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America was formed through a merger of the Hauge Synod, the Synod of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Each of the three churches operated a seminary, so the Norwegian Synod's Luther Seminary and the United Norwegian's United Church Seminary, both in Saint Paul, Minnesota, were merged with the Red Wing Seminary to form the Luther Theological Seminary on the site of the United Church Seminary.

1932: Seminary Operation End

In 1932, Red Wing Seminary ceased operations in Red Wing, Minnesota.

1932: Merger into St. Olaf College

In 1932, the academy and junior college programs at the Red Wing facility were merged into St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and the Red Wing campus was repurposed. None of the old seminary buildings remain standing.