In 1854, Potter entered the Theological Seminary in Virginia located in Alexandria, Virginia.
He graduated in 1857.
Potter's father told him he needed to receive his theological education at this seminary.

Potter indicated that he was pleased with his father's choice because he was a loyal alumnus who supported the seminary with words and gifts.
In 1873, while he was rector of Grace Church in New York City, he served on a committee to raise money for the seminary, On October 23, 1883, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention, Virginia Seminary alumni met.
Potter "recalled pleasant incidents of his Seminary life".
He also gave money for enlarging the seminary chapel and for a Bible, Prayer Books, and Hymnals for use in the chancel.

The Theological Seminary in Virginia was "pervaded by the warmth of religion, where men of a kindly and sympathetic spirit, conscientious, studious, and saintly persons, were teaching a reasonable theology".
Students were encouraged "to make up their own minds".
In this atmosphere, Potter was "directed and encouraged, and his life deepened and enriched".

In the summer of 1856, between his middle and senior years in the seminary, Potter was a lay-reader in a parish in Mont Alto, Pennsylvania.
As the lay reader, Potter was in charge of the Sunday School.
He began a church choir, and gave lectures in the nearby farmhouses.
He prepared his own sermons.
Writing to the parish a decade later Potter said, "Few places can have more attraction for me than Mont Alto.
I look back when I remember my summer with you to some of the brightest memories of my life".

After graduating in 1857, Potter was ordained deacon on May 27, 1857 in St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia.
After that, his father assigned him to the parish in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
In 1854, Potter entered the Theological Seminary in Virginia located in Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated in 1857. Potter's father told him he needed to receive his theological education at this seminary.
Potter indicated that he was pleased with his father's choice because he was a loyal alumnus who supported the seminary with words and gifts. In 1873, while he was rector of Grace Church in New York City, he served on a committee to raise money for the seminary, On October 23, 1883, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention, Virginia Seminary alumni met. Potter "recalled pleasant incidents of his Seminary life". He also gave money for enlarging the seminary chapel and for a Bible, Prayer Books, and Hymnals for use in the chancel.
The Theological Seminary in Virginia was "pervaded by the warmth of religion, where men of a kindly and sympathetic spirit, conscientious, studious, and saintly persons, were teaching a reasonable theology". Students were encouraged "to make up their own minds". In this atmosphere, Potter was "directed and encouraged, and his life deepened and enriched".
In the summer of 1856, between his middle and senior years in the seminary, Potter was a lay-reader in a parish in Mont Alto, Pennsylvania. As the lay reader, Potter was in charge of the Sunday School. He began a church choir, and gave lectures in the nearby farmhouses. He prepared his own sermons. Writing to the parish a decade later Potter said, "Few places can have more attraction for me than Mont Alto. I look back when I remember my summer with you to some of the brightest memories of my life".
After graduating in 1857, Potter was ordained deacon on May 27, 1857 in St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia. After that, his father assigned him to the parish in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Henry C. Potter