It opened the doors to its first class of students on September 30, 1887, in its new building in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church, after the trust was received on March 16, 1887.

While later statements of faith have expanded and added to the doctrines expressed in the Articles, the Thirty-Nine Articles represent the necessary doctrine that defines the Protestant position against the Roman Catholic position of that period, and in unity with the reformations taking place elsewhere in Europe.

The denominational cathedral, Christ Memorial REC, continued to use the original building for its congregation and a grade school.

After a two-year court battle with the insurance company, the church and seminary won some settlement money, but not enough to rebuild the structures.

The move was intended to situate the seminary in a more central Philadelphia-area location with larger and more up-to-date facility.

The seminary was granted initial accreditation by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, effective August 8, 2013.

The charter of the seminary states that it was formed "for the purpose of educating and training men for the ministry of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ especially in connection with the Reformed Episcopal Church and in accordance with the Constitution, Canons, rules, regulations, principles, Doctrine, and worship of said Church."

Its mission statement declares that it seeks "to train Christ’s people to serve the flock of the Lord Jesus Christ through biblical, Anglican Worship, Example, and Discipleship as defined in the official standards of the Reformed Episcopal Church ... and to immerse students in Scripture, the historical and ancient traditions of the church, worship, and doctrine."

The seminary emphasizes what they describe as "classical Anglicanism lived out in the world through worship, evangelism, and discipleship.