The summer of 1967 is remembered as an explosive time in many inner cities of the United States; Milwaukee was not exempt.  It was during this critical time that three Black Baptist ministers approached the Rev. Dr. Charles Talbert, a Black United Methodist minister, and asked him if he would start a school for Black pastors.  Dr. Talbert held a Ph.D. in Church history and had taught in a theological seminary in the South.

                    Dr. Talbert listened intently to their story.  These three men worked in factories during the day in Milwaukee, traveled to Chicago to take evening classes preparing them for Christian ministry, then served on the weekends as pastors.  They were exhausted and sought Dr. Talbert to see if he would help them.

                    After hearing their story, Milwaukee Theological Institute began with Dr. Talbert as President.  The first classes were held in the basement of St. James United Methodist Church, where Dr. Talbert was pastor. The first class had fifteen Black ministers enrolled.

                    Dr. Harold Weavor, also a United Methodist minister with a Ph.D. in Theology, was the first Dean. Dr. Weavor gave extraordinary leadership in developing resources for the Institute.  Classes met in the evenings, four days a week, uninterrupted for twenty-five years.  The Institute quickly grew to include both men and women, black and white, laity and pastors, inclusive of all denominations as persons eagerly sought instructions in Christian adult leadership and ministry.  MTI trained many persons for adult ministry and Christian leadership in Southeastern Wisconsin.

                    The current building was given to MTI by the United Church of Christ.  This facility enabled the school to become a positive force in the inner city as leaders were and are enriched and equipped to serve with new understanding the purpose and the meaning of the Church.  Teachers at the Institute were selected from the ranks of scholars, pastors and ministers who have qualified both spiritually and academically for this leadership training.

                    It is generally recognized that the Black Church has been one of the main sources of Black leadership.  Churches are centers of religious and ethical training. The Church has birthed such persons as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, and countless others.  The objective of the Institute is to develop both religious and social understandings and concerns which will renew and transform our community.

                    Some of the past deans, presidents and trustee chairs of the school has included Dr. Terrell Cistrunk, Dean; Bishop Rosemary Dye, Dean; Rev. Ernest Glenn, President; Dr. Richard Steele, Trustee Chair; Dr. William Rogers, Trustee Chair.