It was founded in 1956 on a 40-acre (160,000 m2) property in Cromwell by Eusebe M. Menard to provide a program of education and formation for men intending to enter the priesthood.

In 1972, Holy Apostles, in view of declining enrollment,[1] began admitting non-seminarians, women included.

[9][8] Additionally, Holy Apostles' graduate degree programs are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

[10][8] Five of the members of its board of directors are from the founding religious order, the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles.

[2] The institution places heavy emphasis on the academic disciplines of philosophy and theology in the context of the Catholic honors liberal arts curriculum.