St David's College founded at Lampeter by Bishop Thomas Burgess

Background. Thomas Burgess, appointed Bishop of St David's in 1803, identified a need for higher education for Welsh ordinands. After nearly twenty years of preparation, he sought to establish a college for training priests. Burgess initially intended to build his new college in Llanddewi Brefi, a site with significant Christian history in Wales, which was similar in size to Lampeter but located ten kilometres away.

Site Selection. The location of the college changed due to Burgess's social connections. In 1820, while staying with the Bishop of Gloucester, Burgess met John Scandrett Harford, a wealthy landowner from Gloucestershire. Harford donated the land for St David's College, leading to the foundation being established just outside Lampeter rather than at the originally intended site of Llanddewi Brefi.

Founding Act. The foundation stone for St David's College was laid in 1822. This act established the institution in Lampeter, Wales, to provide training for those wishing to join the Anglican priesthood. Although the college was founded in 1822, it did not officially open to students until 1827, welcoming its first 26 students on St David's Day of that year.