Iliff was founded in 1889 as a seminary and school of religious studies of the
University of Denver. In 1892, it was named the Iliff School of Theology after
John Wesley Iliff (1831–1878) who had wanted to establish a school for training ministers in the territory of Colorado. After he died, his wife
Elizabeth Iliff Warren and her second husband, Bishop
Henry White Warren, succeeded in starting the Iliff School of Theology. The cornerstone of
Iliff Hall was laid on June 8, 1892 and construction was completed in 1893. While the construction was taking place, the first classes began on September 23, 1892. In the summer of 1900, Iliff closed for various financial and organizational reasons. On August 27, 1903, Iliff School of Theology was incorporated as an independent institution, separate from the University of Denver. It reopened on September 10, 1910 as a freestanding school of theology and Methodist seminary. "In 1893, Iliff School of Theology took into its library a book, given as a gift, written in Latin that is a History of Christianity. It was covered by the skin of a murdered Indian man. It was treasured by the institution and displayed for 80 years in a case outside of the Library. In 1974, under pressure from students, the book was taken out of public view and in the presence of a representative of the American Indian Movement, the skin cover was removed and repatriated. Everyone present that day were sworn to secrecy and required to sign non-disclosure agreements." In September 1981, Iliff and the
University of Denver inaugurated a joint
Ph.D. program leading to the
Doctor of Philosophy in Religious and Theological Studies. Iliff has hosted a number of high-profile leaders for special events, including former Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright, the Little Rock Nine, and others. From February 24–27, 2008, Iliff honored the
Little Rock Nine in a series of events called "A Celebration of Courage." In 2011, Iliff established "The Courage Award." The award is given out as a means "to acknowledge and celebrate individuals or organizations whose courage, persistence, and determination has changed an unjust situation in the world." The first recipient of this award was Judy Shepard for her work in telling the story of her son,
Matthew Shepard.
Presidents Presidents of the Iliff School of Theology have included: • 1910–1915
Harris Franklin Rall • 1916–1920 James Albert Beebe • 1921–1924 Edwin Wesley Dunlavy • 1925–1932 Elmer Guy Cutshall • 1934–1942 Charles Edwin Schofield • 1942–1946 Harry T. Morris • 1947–1952 Edward Randolph Bartlett • 1953–1961 Harold Ford Carr • 1962–1969 Lowell Benjamin Swan • 1969–1981 Smith Jameson Jones, Jr. • 1981–2000
Donald E. Messer • 2000–2004 David Maldonado, Jr. • 2004–2006
J. Philip Wogaman • 2006–2012 David G. Trickett • 2012–2013 Albert Hernandez (interim) • 2013–2023 Thomas V. Wolfe • 2023-present Lee H. Butler Jr. ==Library==