Wendel Meyer named acting minister of Harvard's Memorial Church

A former colleague of the late Reverend Peter J. Gomes will lead the church during the search for a permanent successor.

Wendel W. "Tad" Meyer, who served as associate minister at Memorial Church from 1997 to 1999 and rejoined its staff as associate minister for administration after the Reverend Peter J. Gomes suffered a heart attack and stroke in early December, has now been appointed acting Pusey minister in the church following Gomes's death on February 28. Meyer "understands both the distinctive character of the Memorial Church and the rich diversity of Harvard’s larger religious profile," said President Drew Faust. "We are very lucky to have someone of Tad’s experience, intellect, and sensitivity willing and able to step in during this time of transition.”

Meyer had retired from the full-time ministry in 2009, after serving most recently as rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts, for 10 years. He said he was “honored and humbled to be asked to serve the University in this way,” and considers the assignment a "small but tangible way to honor the memory of Peter Gomes, who was a cherished friend and mentor to me and to so many others.”

Read the official University announcement.

 

Related topics

You might also like

Harvard Students, Alumni to Compete at the 2026 Olympics

Six Crimson athletes are headed to the XXV Winter Games in Milano Cortina 

FAS Announces New Endowment for Ph.D. Candidates

A $50 million gift from alumni donors aims to protect research opportunities amid political uncertainty

Teaching Through War With AI

Harvard Graduate School of Education students examine the use of AI in wartime Ukraine.

Most popular

Tina Fey and Robert Carlock Talk Collaboration, Joke-Building at Harvard

The duo behind 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt shared insights as part of the Learning from Performers series.

Martin Nowak Sanctioned for Jeffrey Epstein Involvement

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences announces disciplinary actions.

Harvard summer archaeology in China

Field notes from a summer archaeological expedition

Explore More From Current Issue

Lawrence H. Summers, looking serious while speaking at a podium with a microphone.

Harvard in the News

Grade inflation, Epstein files fallout, University database breach 

Man in a suit holding a pen, smiling, seated at a desk with a soft background.

A Congenial Voice in Japanese-American Relations

Takashi Komatsu spent his life building bridges. 

A silhouette of a person stands before glowing domes in a red, rocky landscape at sunset.

Getting to Mars (for Real)

Humans have been dreaming of living on the Red Planet for decades. Harvard researchers are on the case.