Tribute to the late Rev Ken Leaver , former Principal of Parkin-Wesley Theological College. 

The Wesleyans first trained their ministers at Prince Alfred College, the lectures being given by circuit ministers. After Methodist union in 1901, a Bible Christian layman, Dr W.G. Torr, established a training institute at Brighton which was given to the Methodist Conference in 1922. It continued to be known as Brighton College and its principal was the Rev Frank Lade. In 1927 the Conference closed Brighton College and established Wesley College at 20 King William Road, Wayville in association with the R.H. White Trust. Its principals were Rev Frank Lade (1927-1938), Rev Percy Eckersley (1939-1952), Rev Arthur Blacket (1953-1964), Rev Arnold Hunt (1965-1969).

Late in the 19th century the Hon William Parkin, a Congregationalist, established a trust which was to provide funds for theological education when the accumulated capital made this feasible. In 1910 Parkin College was opened at North Terrace Kent Town when Dr Llewellyn Bevan became the first principal. After his death, during World War I the college was in recess until the Rev (later Dr.) E.S. Kiek was appointed Principal in 1920. After a decade of independent operation, Parkin and Wesley co-operated by sharing lectures and teaching facilities. At this time several Baptist and Presbyterian students were also trained. When the Baptist College was opened, their lecturers also co-operated in the combined faculty. Dr Kiek was principal from 1920-1957 and was followed by Rev Ken Leaver (1958-1968).

In 1969 the Methodist Conference and Parkin Trust, through the Congregational Union of S.A. and in association with the Presbyterian Assembly, set up Parkin-Wesley Theological College under the co-principals Dr. A.D. Hunt and Rev K.B. Leaver, each of whom had designated areas of responsibility for college administration. In 1973 Dr Hunt withdrew for another appointment. In 1966 the Rev C.R. Biggs was appointed lecturer in Biblical Studies and in 1974 the Rev Dr H.D'A. Wood was appointed lecturer in Theology. Rev Dr J.E. Akehurst was appointed part-time lecturer in New Testament in 1976. In 1977 Principal Leaver withdrew to accept another appointment. Dr C.R. Biggs was appointed Principal and the Rev E.L. Mickan lecturer in Pastoral Studies and Field Education. In 1985 Dr Akehurst became a full-time lecturer and Rev Anna Catlin joined the faculty as a half-time lecturer in Pastoral Studies with Dr Mickan becoming lecturer in Field Education and Parish Ministry.

In 1989 the Rev Dr A.F. Dutney became Lecturer in Systematic Theology in place of Dr Wood, who took up an appointment with the Assembly of the U.C.A. Dr Akehurst resigned at the end of 1991 to take up a pastoral call. Rev Anna Catlin was appointed full-time in 1992, with added responsibilities in Old Testament. Ms Vicky Balabanski, who was appointed Lecturer in New Testament in 1993, was awarded her Ph.D. in December of that year.