Robert H. Meneilly (March 5, 1925 – July 20, 2021), known as Dr. Bob, was an American Presbyterian pastor who founded the megachurch Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas.[1][3][4]
Robert H. Meneilly | |
|---|---|
 Meneilly in 2016 | |
| Born | March 5, 1925 Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania[1] |
| Died | July 20, 2021 |
| Spouse | Shirley Ann Dunlap [2] |
| Ecclesiastical career | |
| Religion | Christianity (Presbyterian) |
| Church | Presbyterian Church (USA) |
Congregations served | Village Presbyterian Church |
Offices held | Founding Senior Pastor |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | |
Early life
editMeneilly started preaching when he was about 13.[1] He finished a fast-track college and seminary career, graduating from Monmouth College at age 20 (majoring in philosophy, psychology and biology). While at Monmouth College, Meneilly become engaged to Shirley Ann Dunlap.[5] Meneilly earned his Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary at age 22.[1][5]
Meneilly married Dunlap in 1947.[1][2] They had three children.[1] The couple had planned to go to China to do mission work, but the Communist Revolution broke out in 1946. So they considered offers for Meneilly to pastor three churches—in North Hollywood, California; in Pennsylvania; or in Prairie Village, Kansas, where they decided to move.[1] In 1955, Meneilly received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Monmouth College.[5]
Career
editFounding Village Presbyterian Church
editThe church was founded on February 13, 1949, with 282 charter members.[1][6] The Presbyterian Board of Missions, seeing the Prairie Village area as one of the fastest-growing regions in the country without a United Presbyterian denomination, invested a $100,000 to construct a parsonage and a church. The church would also be experimental in that it would be a community church for all denominations. Meneilly began going door-to-door, calling on prospective members, not knowing their religious backgrounds. As a result, Presbyterians were likely not in the majority in the initial charter of 282 members.[5][3] By 1954, membership had grown to 1,600.[5] The church grew to more than 7,000 members under Meneilly's leadership and was the PC(USA)’s second-largest congregation during his tenure.[1]
Civil rights
editMeneilly was an outspoken advocate for racial equality and fair housing.[7][8] During the height of the nation's civil rights movement in the mid-1960s, Meneilly delivered several sermons encouraging members of his suburban congregation to welcome their Black neighbors.[5] In a 2012 oral history, Meneilly reflected on the impact of his civil rights preaching. "It was very hard for some people," he recalled. "We lost one year probably 300 members."[1][4] Meneilly worked for civil rights in the 1960s, women's rights in the 1970s, and LGBTQ rights in the 1980s and ’90s.[9]
Vietnam War
editIn the early 1970s, Meneilly become a vocal critic of the Vietnam War.[1] In 1972, he served as an observer to the Vietnam Paris Peace talks as part of the Citizens Conference on Ending the War, a coalition of some 50 Protestant church leaders.[10][5] After that, he preached that the war was unjust and unwinnable—a position unpopular with many of those in his congregation. Over a two-year period, it caused nearly 500 members to leave the church, although a number of them later returned to the congregation.[5] In addition, Meneilly preached that churches were criminally silent for not opposing the Vietnam War.[10]
Separation of church and state
editIn 1993, Meneilly gave a sermon titled "The Dangers of Religion",[11][12] which denounced what he called the stealth campaigns of the religious right, was reprinted in condensed form in The New York Times [13] and other publications.[1] Following that sermon, Meneilly and five other area civic leaders formed the Mainstream Coalition,[14] which is dedicated to "creating a more representative and responsive government by empowering informed participation and meaningful action in the political process," according to the coalition's website.[1][9]
In a report from Walter Cronkite which was previewed in a 1994 article in The Washington Post, the article features Meneilly as a voice against the Christian Right.[15]
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
editIn addition to earning his Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary,[1][5] Meneilly also served on the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary from 1981 to 1989.[16] He was a director emeritus of the Seminary until his death.[16] Meneilly also served as the distinguished pastor in residence at the Seminary in 1984.[16] In 1985, he received the Seminary's Distinguished Alumni Award.[16] In 1997, the late John "Jack" Tillotson, a member of The Village Church, endowed the "Dr. Robert Meneilly Professor" chair for the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in honor of Robert Meneilly. Richard Ray was installed to the chair as its first occupant, and in 2003 Craig Barnes was installed as its second occupant.[17]
Later life
editOn December 4, 1994, Meneilly gave his final sermon before retiring.[3][18]
In retirement, Meneilly remained active in civic affairs, including serving on various boards.[4]
Shirley Meneilly died in 2014.[5][2]
Village Presbyterian Church opened a food pantry and child care center at a location the church named "The Robert and Shirley Meneilly Center for Mission".[19]
Awards
editIn 1972, Meneilly received the Citizen of the Year award from the United Community Services of Johnson County (Kansas).[20]
In 1987, Meneilly received the Johnson Countian of the Year award.[21]
In 1995, Meneilly received the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor award.[22][23]
In 2001, Meneilly received the Stand Up, Speak Out award from the Mainstream Coalition.[24]
Publications
editIn 1996, Meneilly authored the book Pray As You Go: On Living Your Faith in the Nineties, which is a spiritual guide for living a full life.[25]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Ferguson, Mike (23 July 2021). "The Rev. Dr. Robert H. Meneilly, who founded one of the PC(USA)'s largest churches, dies at age 96". Presbyterian News Service. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b c Senter, Jay (14 June 2014). "Shirley Meneilly, first first lady of Village Presbyterian, passes away". Shawnee Mission Post. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b c "Village Presbyterian Church | Our History and Mission | Our Story". www.villagepres.org. Village Presbyterian Church of Prairie Village Kansas. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b c Rice, Glenn (22 July 2021). "Bob Meneilly, courageous Johnson County pastor who took on racism, extremism, dies". Kansas City, Kansas: Kansas City Star. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rankin, Jeff (29 July 2021). "Remembering 'Dr. Bob' Meneilly". Monmouth, Illinois: Monmouth College. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Tammeus, Bill (25 July 2021). "Remembering The 'Prophetic Voice' Of Kansas City's Rev. Dr. Robert H. Meneilly". KCUR Public Radio. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ Musch, Cheryl & Isaacs, Melissa Fisher (September 2009). "Johnson County, Kansas Final Historic Resources Survey Report" (PDF). Kansas State Historical Society. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Garcia, Juliana (23 July 2021). "Village Presbyterian Church founder Rev. Robert Meneilly, an early pillar of Prairie Village community, dies at 96". Shawnee Mission, Kansas: Shawnee Mission Post. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ a b Boston, Rob (26 July 1991). "Remembering Bob Meneilly, A Cleric Who Championed Church-State Separation". Americans United For Separation of Church and State. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ a b Tammeus, Bill (30 July 2017). "KC Clergy Stood Fast With Anti-War Stance". KCPT Public Television. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ Meneilly, Robert H. (15 August 1993). The Dangers Of Religion.
- ^ Meneilly, Robert (15 August 1993). "The Dangers of Religion" (PDF). Mainstream Coalition. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Meneilly, Robert (29 August 1993). "Government Is Not God's Work". The New York Times. New York, New York. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Passett, Julie (26 July 2021). "Be of Good Cheer: Remembering Dr. Robert Meneilly". Mainstream Coalition. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ Brennan, Patricia (18 December 1994). "What's Happening to Christians?". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d Logan, Melissa S. (27 June 2022). "Panorama by Pittsburgh Seminary | Remembering Director Emeritus Robert Meneilly". Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
- ^ "Good News" (PDF). Village Presbyterian Church. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ Meneilly, Robert H. (4 December 1994). The Grace Of God And The Cheerfulness Of Believers.
- ^ Cruse, Linda (18 August 2016). "With kids in mind, Village Presbyterian opens new center in Overland Park". Kansas City, Kansas: Kansas City Star. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Human Service Awards" (PDF). United Community Services of Johnson County. April 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Honoring the Johnson Countian of the Year". Johnson County Community College. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Statement on the Passing of Rev. Robert H. Meneilly". Truman Foundation. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ 1995 Rev. Robert H. Meneilly – Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation. 1995.
- ^ "Mainstream Coalition | Stand Up, Speak Out". Mainstream Coalition. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Meneilly, Robert (14 February 1996). Pray as You Go: On Living Your Faith in the Nineties. Andrews and McMeel. ISBN 978-0-8362-2170-1.