United Lutheran Church in America Lutheran Deaconess Motherhouse and Training School, Baltimore, Maryland

A training school for the deaconesses opened in 1901 the day after the dedication for the new motherhouse at the W. North Avenue location in Baltimore. The training school emphasized parish work, since the General Synod decided in the beginning to emphasize parish work as one of the ministries of deaconesses. However, sisters were trained in nursing as well. Requirements for admission included being between the ages of approximately 18-36. A deaconess candidate had to be unmarried or a widow with at least a high school education, have written consent of her parents or guardians, be in good health with proof of a health examination, submit a biographical sketch answering specific questions supplied by motherhouse, and have a recommendation from her pastor.

Length of training depended upon on a candidate's previous education and training, but generally the time needed to train a deaconess for work in the field was two to three years with practical training and hospital training comprising a portion of this time. Applicants were first candidates and after six months became probationers. After probationers finished their coursework and completed a year or more of practical work, they were eligible for consecration, or "setting apart." Deaconesses did not take vows, but were expected to be very certain that diaconal work was their life calling. Diaconal training was paid for by the church, but if a sister left the motherhouse voluntarily before she had completed a certain number of years of service, she would have to repay the full cost of her training and education, or depending on the situation, an amount determined by the United Lutheran Church in America's (ULCA) Board of Deaconess Work (BDW).

Sister Christina Gleichert served as the first training sister. She was elected in 1902 and served until 1909. By 1903 the position of Training Sister was added to motherhouse leadership. This deaconess was responsible for all candidates and probationers. As of 1919 she was considered one of the officers of the motherhouse, but she reported to the head sister. In 1904 the position of Director for Instruction was created with responsibility for all instruction in the training school not provided by the BDW through other means. While the school trained women for diaconal work, in 1901 it began offering courses for women who desired to work in the church, but did not wish to become deaconesses. Students in this program were required to pay tuition and board. In 1911, this alternative course offering became a department of the school and in 1922 the training school added a two-year course. After the 1937-1938 school year, the one-year course was discontinued. Also in 1922, the training school added a course in instruction for weekday church schools, in order to provide instruction and work experience in the management and teaching weekday church schools. In the mid-1940s the training school also began offering a one-year course for those persons with secretarial experience who wished to work in a church office.

In addition to their studies, students were able to participate in extracurricular activities such as student government and recreational activities. The school year ran September through May with two academic semesters. In addition to the courses offered, the training school also provided a placement service for its graduates, as well as those persons enrolled in the church secretaries program.

In 1938 when the Mary J. Drexel Home and Philadelphia Motherhouse of Deaconesses (MJDH/PMD) gained inclusion in the ULCA budget, the BDW began a review of all aspects of the PMD diaconate, as well as the BMD. Among those things reviewed were the standards of admission to the training schools. It was hoped that eventually deaconess students would earn college degrees. Over time the two training schools were coordinated and the BDW raised standards to college-level. The two training schools divided areas of specialization with the PMD training deaconesses for work in social welfare, health, or teaching and the BMD training deaconesses for work in Christian education and parish work. Starting in 1953 the two schools worked together as the Unified Education Program. This program continued until 1965.

From the description of Program Files 1895-1965 (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 61348939