IN MEMORIAM: Harold Lewis, Former Faculty
Former Faculty member the Rev. Dr. Harold T. Lewis died on December 31, 2021 at the age of 74. Born February 21, 1947, Lewis served as rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1997 until his retirement in 2012. Upon his retirement, a member of the search committee reflected on Dr. Lewis's impact, "He has definitely strengthened the position of Calvary, not only in the diocese but in the national Episcopal Church and even in the Anglican Communion."
Lewis was an active chronicler of the African American struggle in the Episcopal Church and has participated on numerous church and seminary boards including the Office of Black Ministries as director from 1983 to 1994. He has served on the Standing Commission on World Mission of the Episcopal Church where he pressed to have African American missionaries recognized and celebrated alongside white missionaries.
Ordained in December 1971, Lewis has ministered to parishes in England, Washington, D.C., New Haven, Connecticut, Brooklyn, New York, and Cleveland Heights, Ohio; and as a missionary in Honduras and Zaire.
Lewis served as headmaster of St. Mark's School in Brooklyn; adjunct professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; and also taught at George Mercer School of Theology, New York Theological Seminary, as well as General.
In Pittsburgh, Dr. Lewis served on the boards of the Urban League and the Metro-Urban Institute of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Nationally, he was a member of the Episcopal Church Foundations Fellows' Forum and served on the board of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. While serving on the Board of Trustees at Yale Divinity School Lewis was instrumental in that institution's South African divestment. By appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury, he has chaired and served on the Advisory Council for the Anglican Observer to the United Nations.
Among Dr. Lewis's many publications are Yet With a Steady Beat: the African American Struggle for Recognition in the Episcopal Church; Christian Social Witness; Elijah's Mantle: Pilgrimage, Politics and Proclamation; the hymnal, Lift Every Voice and Sing; and The Recent Unpleasantness. He has also contributed chapters to a number of books, written articles, hymns and poetry for a variety of publications.
In 2007 on behalf of Calvary, Dr. Lewis hosted Bishop Desmond Tutu during his Pittsburgh visit when he received an honorary degree jointly from The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Lewis earned a BA at McGill University in Montreal, Canada; an M.Div. at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University; and a Ph.D. at University of Birmingham, England. He also studied at St. John's College at Cambridge University in England, and earned numerous honorary degrees from various institutions.
Lewis was married to Claudette Richards Lewis, for more than 51 years; and they have one son, Justin Craig Lewis and a son-in-law, Roland Tactay. The funeral was held Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Calvary Episcopal Church, 315 Shady Avenue PGH, PA 15206.
Adapted from an obituary published by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. Funeral Directors on Jan. 1, 2022.