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The Senior Ministers of
Westminster Presbyterian Church formerly Second Presbyterian Church compiled by
Susan Cull and Carol Bloemer Archivists of Westminster Dale Thomas Rogers Director of Music and the Arts May 2021 |
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The Rev. Dewey Whitney
First Minister
1836-1839
Born: 1796, Marlborough, Vermont
Education: Studied theology with Dr. Bradburn of Kentucky
Licensed to preach by Muhlenberg Presbytery, Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky: April 14, 1823
Married: Mildred Toots Thornton, 1827 in Kentucky
Children: Julia Whitney Allen and William Dewey Whitney
Accepted call and Installed: March 26, 1836
Led drive for second building of Second Presbyterian Church
Added 74 members during his pastorate (started with 39)
Resigned: February 1839 due to ill health
Died: July, 1857 in Mississippi after a fall from a horse
First Minister
1836-1839
Born: 1796, Marlborough, Vermont
Education: Studied theology with Dr. Bradburn of Kentucky
Licensed to preach by Muhlenberg Presbytery, Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky: April 14, 1823
Married: Mildred Toots Thornton, 1827 in Kentucky
Children: Julia Whitney Allen and William Dewey Whitney
Accepted call and Installed: March 26, 1836
Led drive for second building of Second Presbyterian Church
Added 74 members during his pastorate (started with 39)
Resigned: February 1839 due to ill health
Died: July, 1857 in Mississippi after a fall from a horse
The Rev. Albert Hale
Second Minister
1840-1867
Born: November 29, 1799, Glastonbury, Connecticut
Education: Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut, 1829
Yale Theological Seminary, 1831
member of the Yale Band
Ordained an evangelist and Congregationalist
Married: Abiah Chapin March 28, 1839
Children: Katherine, Sophia, and Albert Francis
Accepted call: November 1, 1839
Installed: July 1, 1840
Home: 221 East Adams
Added 777 members to the roles during his pastorate. East Narthex plaque reads: For 27 years (1839-1866)Father Hale was Pastor of this church and ever bishop of the highways and hedges, a friend of the poor and sorrowing and a preacher of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was loyal to the union, friend and counselor of the Martyr President.
Resigned: September 19, 1866
Final sermon (as senior minister): January 1, 1867
Retirement: paid by many citizens to “do general and necessary work among the down and out of the city”.
Died: January 30, 1891
Buried: Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
Second Minister
1840-1867
Born: November 29, 1799, Glastonbury, Connecticut
Education: Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut, 1829
Yale Theological Seminary, 1831
member of the Yale Band
Ordained an evangelist and Congregationalist
Married: Abiah Chapin March 28, 1839
Children: Katherine, Sophia, and Albert Francis
Accepted call: November 1, 1839
Installed: July 1, 1840
Home: 221 East Adams
Added 777 members to the roles during his pastorate. East Narthex plaque reads: For 27 years (1839-1866)Father Hale was Pastor of this church and ever bishop of the highways and hedges, a friend of the poor and sorrowing and a preacher of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was loyal to the union, friend and counselor of the Martyr President.
Resigned: September 19, 1866
Final sermon (as senior minister): January 1, 1867
Retirement: paid by many citizens to “do general and necessary work among the down and out of the city”.
Died: January 30, 1891
Buried: Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
The Rev. Dr. Gilbert H. Robertson
Third Minister
1867-1871
Born: November 28, 1831 on a farm in Upper New York State
Education: Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1849, The Theological Seminary of the Associate Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, 1855, Honorary D.D. from Centre College, Danville, Kentucky
Ordained: 1858 in New York
First minister ordained in the United Presbyterian Church
Married: Mary L Beveridge in 1859
Children: three
Accepted call: March 3, 1867
Installed: April 21, 1867
Led the drive for the third church building and preached the first sermon in this new house January 29, 1871. The General Assembly of Illinois occupied the building for their session from January 3 to April 17, 1871 while the new state capitol was being built. Added 124 members to the roles during his pastorate.
Resigned: July 23, 1871
Died: May 10, 1911
Buried: Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
Third Minister
1867-1871
Born: November 28, 1831 on a farm in Upper New York State
Education: Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1849, The Theological Seminary of the Associate Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, 1855, Honorary D.D. from Centre College, Danville, Kentucky
Ordained: 1858 in New York
First minister ordained in the United Presbyterian Church
Married: Mary L Beveridge in 1859
Children: three
Accepted call: March 3, 1867
Installed: April 21, 1867
Led the drive for the third church building and preached the first sermon in this new house January 29, 1871. The General Assembly of Illinois occupied the building for their session from January 3 to April 17, 1871 while the new state capitol was being built. Added 124 members to the roles during his pastorate.
Resigned: July 23, 1871
Died: May 10, 1911
Buried: Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
The Rev. Dr. Charles D. Shaw
Fourth Minister
1872-1874
Born: December 17, 1834, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Education: Union Theological Seminary, New York City, New York, with honors, 1862; D.D. conferred by the University of New York
Ordained: November 1862, Patterson, New Jersey
Married
Children: 2 daughters, 2 sons
Accepted call: January 7, 1872 Installed: June 2, 1872
Added 65 members to the rolls during his pastorate.
Resigned: July 1, 1874, returned to Patterson, New Jersey
Served as Moderator of the Synod of New Jersey, 1891
Died: November 12, 1909
Fourth Minister
1872-1874
Born: December 17, 1834, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Education: Union Theological Seminary, New York City, New York, with honors, 1862; D.D. conferred by the University of New York
Ordained: November 1862, Patterson, New Jersey
Married
Children: 2 daughters, 2 sons
Accepted call: January 7, 1872 Installed: June 2, 1872
Added 65 members to the rolls during his pastorate.
Resigned: July 1, 1874, returned to Patterson, New Jersey
Served as Moderator of the Synod of New Jersey, 1891
Died: November 12, 1909
The Rev. Dr. George Humphrey Fullerton
Fifth Minister
1875-1879
Born: February 27, 1838, Bloomingburg, Fayette County, Ohio
Education: Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 1858; Princeton Theological Seminary, 1860;
Received honorary D.D. degree from Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana
Licensed to preach by The Presbytery of Allegheny City, April, 1860
Served as chaplain, First Ohio Infantry during the Civil War, 1861 to October, 1862
Ordained: The Presbytery of Columbus, Ohio, May, 1863
Married: Mary Work
Children: 2 sons
Accepted call: December 17, 1874
Installed: May 9, 1875
In 1877, Dr. Fullerton conducted a series of meetings that added 71 members. Added 138 members to the rolls during his pastorate.
Resigned July 1, 1879 to return to Cincinnati, Ohio
Died: March 31, 1918
Buried: Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield, Clark County, Ohio
Fifth Minister
1875-1879
Born: February 27, 1838, Bloomingburg, Fayette County, Ohio
Education: Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 1858; Princeton Theological Seminary, 1860;
Received honorary D.D. degree from Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana
Licensed to preach by The Presbytery of Allegheny City, April, 1860
Served as chaplain, First Ohio Infantry during the Civil War, 1861 to October, 1862
Ordained: The Presbytery of Columbus, Ohio, May, 1863
Married: Mary Work
Children: 2 sons
Accepted call: December 17, 1874
Installed: May 9, 1875
In 1877, Dr. Fullerton conducted a series of meetings that added 71 members. Added 138 members to the rolls during his pastorate.
Resigned July 1, 1879 to return to Cincinnati, Ohio
Died: March 31, 1918
Buried: Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield, Clark County, Ohio
The Rev. Loyal Young Hays
Sixth Minister
1879-1881
Born: January 31, 1838 in western Pennsylvania
Education: Washington College, Chesterton, Maryland, 1860
Presbyterian Theological Seminary (then Northwestern McCormick Theological Seminary), Chicago, Illinois, 1866
Married
Children: five
Accepted call: November 9, 1879
Installation followed shortly
Added 24 members to the rolls during his pastorate.
Resigned: February 15, 1881
Died: May 16, 1892
Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana
Sixth Minister
1879-1881
Born: January 31, 1838 in western Pennsylvania
Education: Washington College, Chesterton, Maryland, 1860
Presbyterian Theological Seminary (then Northwestern McCormick Theological Seminary), Chicago, Illinois, 1866
Married
Children: five
Accepted call: November 9, 1879
Installation followed shortly
Added 24 members to the rolls during his pastorate.
Resigned: February 15, 1881
Died: May 16, 1892
Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana
The Rev. Dr. David Sumner Johnson
Seventh Minister
1881-1895
Born: June 4, 1834, Waterford, New York
Education: Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts
Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts; Andover Theological Seminary, Andover, Massachusetts, 1857
Auburn Theological Seminary, New York City, New York, 1860
Married: Helen Willard (died 1883), Amelia Willard, 1884
Children: Eight
Accepted call: July 31, 1881
Installed: October 14, 1881
Added 400 members to rolls during his pastorate.
Celebrated the 50th anniversary of Second Presbyterian Church.
Served as Clerk of the Illinois Synod for 20 years
Resigned: September 30, 1895
Died: April 17, 1903
Seventh Minister
1881-1895
Born: June 4, 1834, Waterford, New York
Education: Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts
Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts; Andover Theological Seminary, Andover, Massachusetts, 1857
Auburn Theological Seminary, New York City, New York, 1860
Married: Helen Willard (died 1883), Amelia Willard, 1884
Children: Eight
Accepted call: July 31, 1881
Installed: October 14, 1881
Added 400 members to rolls during his pastorate.
Celebrated the 50th anniversary of Second Presbyterian Church.
Served as Clerk of the Illinois Synod for 20 years
Resigned: September 30, 1895
Died: April 17, 1903
The Rev. Dwight C. Hanna
Eighth Minister
1896-1899
Born: December 7, 1859 on a farm near Savannah, Ohio.
Education: College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, 1883
Princeton Theological Seminary 1886, with honors in oratory
Married: Laura Typer
Children: 2 sons and 1 daughter
Accepted call: February 1, 1896
Added 151 members to the rolls during his pastorate.
Resigned: October 8, 1899
Final Sermon: October 29, 1899
Eighth Minister
1896-1899
Born: December 7, 1859 on a farm near Savannah, Ohio.
Education: College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, 1883
Princeton Theological Seminary 1886, with honors in oratory
Married: Laura Typer
Children: 2 sons and 1 daughter
Accepted call: February 1, 1896
Added 151 members to the rolls during his pastorate.
Resigned: October 8, 1899
Final Sermon: October 29, 1899
The Rev. Dr. William Francis Irwin
Ninth Minister
1900-1906
Born: 1867, Indiana
Education: Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana, 1887 with honors
McCormick Theological Seminary, 1891
Ordained by the St. Louis Presbytery
Married: Jeanette Wrisley
Children: Robert and Olive
First sermon: May 13, 1900
Installed: October 9, 1900
Home: 123 East Cook Street
The third church building was sold for $80,000 during his pastorate.
Resigned: January 28, 1906 to accept call from Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Louisville, Kentucky.
Ninth Minister
1900-1906
Born: 1867, Indiana
Education: Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana, 1887 with honors
McCormick Theological Seminary, 1891
Ordained by the St. Louis Presbytery
Married: Jeanette Wrisley
Children: Robert and Olive
First sermon: May 13, 1900
Installed: October 9, 1900
Home: 123 East Cook Street
The third church building was sold for $80,000 during his pastorate.
Resigned: January 28, 1906 to accept call from Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Louisville, Kentucky.
The Rev. Dr. Adelbert P. Higley
Tenth Minister
1907-1912
Born: February 2, 1872, Rutland, Ohio
Education: University of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio
McCormick Theological Seminary
Married: Elizabeth
Children: John and Mary
Accepted call: October, 1906
Installed: March 9, 1907 (in the new Sanctuary)
The fourth building was constructed during his pastorate. The trustees purchased the ground west of the church to Glenwood Avenue. After a Billy Sunday Revival in February, 1909, 281 people united with Second Presbyterian Church in subsequent weeks. Added 550 members to the roles. In 1909, the membership was 910 and Sunday School was 500. Session increased from 12 to 16 members. The pew rental system was abolished at the Annual Meeting on April 30, 1909. Celebrated the 75th anniversary of the church in 1910.
Resigned: November 29, 1911
Final Sermon: January 21, 1912
Died: February 16, 1944 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Tenth Minister
1907-1912
Born: February 2, 1872, Rutland, Ohio
Education: University of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio
McCormick Theological Seminary
Married: Elizabeth
Children: John and Mary
Accepted call: October, 1906
Installed: March 9, 1907 (in the new Sanctuary)
The fourth building was constructed during his pastorate. The trustees purchased the ground west of the church to Glenwood Avenue. After a Billy Sunday Revival in February, 1909, 281 people united with Second Presbyterian Church in subsequent weeks. Added 550 members to the roles. In 1909, the membership was 910 and Sunday School was 500. Session increased from 12 to 16 members. The pew rental system was abolished at the Annual Meeting on April 30, 1909. Celebrated the 75th anniversary of the church in 1910.
Resigned: November 29, 1911
Final Sermon: January 21, 1912
Died: February 16, 1944 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio
The Rev. Dr. George T. Gunter
Eleventh Minister
1912-1917
Born: 1872 in southern Indiana
Education: Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana, 1898
McCormick Theological Seminary, 1901 (classmate of Dr. Higley)
Widower
Children: daughter, Margaret aged 6
Accepted call: July 1912
Came from First Presbyterian Church, Kokomo, Indiana
First Sermon: October 6, 1912
Installed: December 4, 1912
Resigned: 1917 to accept a call to Westminster Church of Seattle, Washington
Eleventh Minister
1912-1917
Born: 1872 in southern Indiana
Education: Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana, 1898
McCormick Theological Seminary, 1901 (classmate of Dr. Higley)
Widower
Children: daughter, Margaret aged 6
Accepted call: July 1912
Came from First Presbyterian Church, Kokomo, Indiana
First Sermon: October 6, 1912
Installed: December 4, 1912
Resigned: 1917 to accept a call to Westminster Church of Seattle, Washington
The Rev. Dr. S. Willis McFadden
Twelfth Minister
1918-1921
Born: February 7, 1864, New Athens, Ohio
Education: B.A. 1892
Attended Princeton before transferring to Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan, 1895
D.D. conferred, 1902
Ordained: 1895 by The Mahoning Presbytery Ohio
Married
Children: two
Call issued: April 16, 1918
Accepted call: 1918
Installed: October 2, 1918
Minister when the church name was changed to Westminster Presbyterian from Second Presbyterian on April 9, 1919.
Church manse was built during his pastorate.
Resigned: 1921 to accept a call to Peekskill, New York, so his son could attend Columbia University
Twelfth Minister
1918-1921
Born: February 7, 1864, New Athens, Ohio
Education: B.A. 1892
Attended Princeton before transferring to Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan, 1895
D.D. conferred, 1902
Ordained: 1895 by The Mahoning Presbytery Ohio
Married
Children: two
Call issued: April 16, 1918
Accepted call: 1918
Installed: October 2, 1918
Minister when the church name was changed to Westminster Presbyterian from Second Presbyterian on April 9, 1919.
Church manse was built during his pastorate.
Resigned: 1921 to accept a call to Peekskill, New York, so his son could attend Columbia University
The Rev. Dr. Walter R. Cremeans
Thirteenth Minister
1921-1944
Born: June 30, 1885, Anna, Illinois
Education: Lincoln College, Lincoln, Illinois, B.A.
Princeton Seminary then The Presbyterian Theological Seminary (McCormick Seminary) 1914
Received the honorary D.D. degree from Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois, 1922
Ordained: May 19, 1914, Morrison, Illinois
Married: Bess Davis in 1914;
Children: Charles, Betty, Mary Alice and John
Installed: October 12, 1921
Lived in the church manse: 731 West Edwards, Springfield, Illinois
Added 1750 members to the roles during his pastorate. Served as: President, Springfield Council of Churches; President, Springfield Ministerial Association; Stated Clerk, The Springfield Presbytery; Board of Trustees Chairman for The Springfield Presbytery: Member, Board of Directors, McKinley Foundation, University of Illinois; Member, Board of Trustees, Millikin University; Moderator, Synod of Illinois; Chairman, Committee on National Missions (6 years); Chairman, United Promotion committee of the Synod (6 years); Commissioner to GA; President, Kiwanis; Member, Salvation Army Board; Member, Board of Amateur Musical Club
Resigned: July 1, 1944 to accept a call to become the General Presbyter for the Presbytery of Baltimore
Died: April 7, 1969, Winter Park, Florida
Thirteenth Minister
1921-1944
Born: June 30, 1885, Anna, Illinois
Education: Lincoln College, Lincoln, Illinois, B.A.
Princeton Seminary then The Presbyterian Theological Seminary (McCormick Seminary) 1914
Received the honorary D.D. degree from Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois, 1922
Ordained: May 19, 1914, Morrison, Illinois
Married: Bess Davis in 1914;
Children: Charles, Betty, Mary Alice and John
Installed: October 12, 1921
Lived in the church manse: 731 West Edwards, Springfield, Illinois
Added 1750 members to the roles during his pastorate. Served as: President, Springfield Council of Churches; President, Springfield Ministerial Association; Stated Clerk, The Springfield Presbytery; Board of Trustees Chairman for The Springfield Presbytery: Member, Board of Directors, McKinley Foundation, University of Illinois; Member, Board of Trustees, Millikin University; Moderator, Synod of Illinois; Chairman, Committee on National Missions (6 years); Chairman, United Promotion committee of the Synod (6 years); Commissioner to GA; President, Kiwanis; Member, Salvation Army Board; Member, Board of Amateur Musical Club
Resigned: July 1, 1944 to accept a call to become the General Presbyter for the Presbytery of Baltimore
Died: April 7, 1969, Winter Park, Florida
The Rev. Dr. Edward W. Ziegler
Fourteenth Minister
1944-1969
Born: December 8, 1900, St. Louis, Missouri
Education: Park College, Parkville, Missouri
McCormick Theological Seminary, 1928
Received the honorary D.D. degree from Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois
Ordained: 1928
Married: Gladys, 1927
Children: Betty
Accepted call: August 9, 1944
First Sermon: October 8, 1944
Installed: November, 1944
Lived in the Church Manse: 731 West Edwards, Springfield, Illinois
Served as: Moderator of The Springfield Presbytery, 1948; member of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly (6 years); member of the Board of Blackburn College (15 years) including as Chairman.
Resigned: September 30, 1969
Awarded by Westminster’s Session the title of Pastor Emeritus.
Served 8 interim pastorates following his call to Westminster.
Died: November 12, 1989
Buried: Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
Fourteenth Minister
1944-1969
Born: December 8, 1900, St. Louis, Missouri
Education: Park College, Parkville, Missouri
McCormick Theological Seminary, 1928
Received the honorary D.D. degree from Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois
Ordained: 1928
Married: Gladys, 1927
Children: Betty
Accepted call: August 9, 1944
First Sermon: October 8, 1944
Installed: November, 1944
Lived in the Church Manse: 731 West Edwards, Springfield, Illinois
Served as: Moderator of The Springfield Presbytery, 1948; member of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly (6 years); member of the Board of Blackburn College (15 years) including as Chairman.
Resigned: September 30, 1969
Awarded by Westminster’s Session the title of Pastor Emeritus.
Served 8 interim pastorates following his call to Westminster.
Died: November 12, 1989
Buried: Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
The Rev. Dr. James S. Barge
Fifteenth Minister
1970-1986
Born: October 20, 1931 Perry, Oklahoma
Education: University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 1953
Yale Divinity School, 1955-1956; transferred to Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, M.Div., May 25, 1965
McCormick Theological Seminary, Doctor of Ministry, June 7, 1977
Ordained: Disciples of Christ Church, May 1956
Received by The Springfield Presbytery: April 20,1965
Married: Silvey Lee Wood in 1953,
Children: Kevin and Stephen
Accepted call: Assistant Minister, February 14, 1965 to January 19, 1966; Associate Minister, January 20, 1966 to November 1969;
Senior Minister: November 24, 1969
Installed: January 4, 1970
Added 1700 members to rolls during his pastorate. Initiated Westminster’s role as a founding church for Contact Ministries and served as Board President. Additional service: Moderator, Great Rivers Presbytery; Commissioner to General Assembly, President, Springfield Mental Health Association; Member, Springfield College in Illinois Board; Member, YMCA Board; Member, Planned Parenthood Board.
Resigned: October 4, 1986 to accept a call to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
Died: July 12, 2020
Inurnment will be in Westminster’s Memorial Garden
Fifteenth Minister
1970-1986
Born: October 20, 1931 Perry, Oklahoma
Education: University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 1953
Yale Divinity School, 1955-1956; transferred to Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, M.Div., May 25, 1965
McCormick Theological Seminary, Doctor of Ministry, June 7, 1977
Ordained: Disciples of Christ Church, May 1956
Received by The Springfield Presbytery: April 20,1965
Married: Silvey Lee Wood in 1953,
Children: Kevin and Stephen
Accepted call: Assistant Minister, February 14, 1965 to January 19, 1966; Associate Minister, January 20, 1966 to November 1969;
Senior Minister: November 24, 1969
Installed: January 4, 1970
Added 1700 members to rolls during his pastorate. Initiated Westminster’s role as a founding church for Contact Ministries and served as Board President. Additional service: Moderator, Great Rivers Presbytery; Commissioner to General Assembly, President, Springfield Mental Health Association; Member, Springfield College in Illinois Board; Member, YMCA Board; Member, Planned Parenthood Board.
Resigned: October 4, 1986 to accept a call to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
Died: July 12, 2020
Inurnment will be in Westminster’s Memorial Garden
The Rev. Dr. James A. Todd
Sixteenth Minister
1988-1992
Education: College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio and Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, leading to a B.A. cum laude in meteorology and mathematics
Yale Divinity School, Bachelor of Divinity in Bible and Theology
Princeton Theological Seminary, Master’s in Historical Theology
Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, Doctorate degree in Contemporary Theological Ethics
Prior to entering the ministry, he taught philosophy and religion at Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, and at Lake Erie College, Painesville, Ohio (6 years).
Married: Deanna
Children: Derrick and Benjamin
Installed: February 21, 1988
Resigned: August 2, 1992 to The Presbytery of Southern New England
Sixteenth Minister
1988-1992
Education: College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio and Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, leading to a B.A. cum laude in meteorology and mathematics
Yale Divinity School, Bachelor of Divinity in Bible and Theology
Princeton Theological Seminary, Master’s in Historical Theology
Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, Doctorate degree in Contemporary Theological Ethics
Prior to entering the ministry, he taught philosophy and religion at Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, and at Lake Erie College, Painesville, Ohio (6 years).
Married: Deanna
Children: Derrick and Benjamin
Installed: February 21, 1988
Resigned: August 2, 1992 to The Presbytery of Southern New England
The Rev. Dr. Lonnie H. Lee
Seventeenth Minister
1995-2012
Born: January 24, 1948,
Wichita, Kansas
Education: University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, B.A. in History and Philosophy 1970; Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, Master of Divinity 1973; Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas, Doctor of Ministry, 1993
Ordained: June 3, 1973
Served four congregations in Oklahoma and Texas, three as Senior Minister, prior to accepting a call to Westminster.
Married: Barbara G. Dove 1971
Children: Deron G. Lee and Christopher R. Lee
Installed: September 10, 1995
Added 726 members during his pastorate. Led adult education courses on Reformation and Post Reformation Church History. Organized and led a European study-tour celebrating the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth in 2009.
Other service: Member, Blackburn College Board of Trustees, Carlinville, Illinois (2001-2013); Author of A Brief History of Belle Isle Plantation, Lancaster County, Virginia, 1650-1782, published by Heritage Books in 2020.
Resigned to retire from ministry: August 31, 2012
Seventeenth Minister
1995-2012
Born: January 24, 1948,
Wichita, Kansas
Education: University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, B.A. in History and Philosophy 1970; Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, Master of Divinity 1973; Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas, Doctor of Ministry, 1993
Ordained: June 3, 1973
Served four congregations in Oklahoma and Texas, three as Senior Minister, prior to accepting a call to Westminster.
Married: Barbara G. Dove 1971
Children: Deron G. Lee and Christopher R. Lee
Installed: September 10, 1995
Added 726 members during his pastorate. Led adult education courses on Reformation and Post Reformation Church History. Organized and led a European study-tour celebrating the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth in 2009.
Other service: Member, Blackburn College Board of Trustees, Carlinville, Illinois (2001-2013); Author of A Brief History of Belle Isle Plantation, Lancaster County, Virginia, 1650-1782, published by Heritage Books in 2020.
Resigned to retire from ministry: August 31, 2012
The Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer
Eighteenth Minister
2012–present
Born: November 4, 1956,
South Holland, Illinois (Raised in The Reformed Church of America)
Education: Hope College, Holland, Michigan, 1977, B.A. magna cum laude in Religion and Psychology
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, Master of Divinity, 1981
Clinical Pastoral Education (4 advanced units), Children’s Memorial and Grant Hospitals in Chicago, 1982
Care and Counseling, St. Louis, Certificate of Pastoral Counseling, 1988
Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Doctor of Ministry, 1989
Ordained: November 6, 1983 by Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
Served two churches in the St. Louis Metropolitan area as Associate Pastor prior to accepting a call to Westminster.
Married: Peter Strickler Kieffer, M.D.
Children: Paul Denham Kieffer, J.D.
Accepted call: July 28, 2013
First Sermon: October 13, 2013
Installed: November 10, 2013
Added 227 members during her pastorate. Provided leadership for the “Building A Legacy of Faith” Twenty-Year Anniversary Endowment Campaign and the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor.
Other Service: Commissioner to General Assembly (1994); Chair, Racial Ethics Concerns Committee (1997-2011); Chair, Capital Campaign Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy (2003-2006); Member, Board of Pensions Board of Directors (2006-2012); Member, Board of Contact Ministries (2014-present); Member, Committee on the General Assembly. (2020-present)
Eighteenth Minister
2012–present
Born: November 4, 1956,
South Holland, Illinois (Raised in The Reformed Church of America)
Education: Hope College, Holland, Michigan, 1977, B.A. magna cum laude in Religion and Psychology
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, Master of Divinity, 1981
Clinical Pastoral Education (4 advanced units), Children’s Memorial and Grant Hospitals in Chicago, 1982
Care and Counseling, St. Louis, Certificate of Pastoral Counseling, 1988
Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Doctor of Ministry, 1989
Ordained: November 6, 1983 by Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
Served two churches in the St. Louis Metropolitan area as Associate Pastor prior to accepting a call to Westminster.
Married: Peter Strickler Kieffer, M.D.
Children: Paul Denham Kieffer, J.D.
Accepted call: July 28, 2013
First Sermon: October 13, 2013
Installed: November 10, 2013
Added 227 members during her pastorate. Provided leadership for the “Building A Legacy of Faith” Twenty-Year Anniversary Endowment Campaign and the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor.
Other Service: Commissioner to General Assembly (1994); Chair, Racial Ethics Concerns Committee (1997-2011); Chair, Capital Campaign Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy (2003-2006); Member, Board of Pensions Board of Directors (2006-2012); Member, Board of Contact Ministries (2014-present); Member, Committee on the General Assembly. (2020-present)