Memorial Church Interim Minister

Stephanie Paulsell is the successor, for now, to Jonathan Walton.

A portrait of Stephanie Paulsell, interim Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church

Stephanie Paulsell, interim Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church

Photograph by Jeffrey Blackwell

With the fall semester about to begin—and with it Memorial Church’s venerable tradition of Morning Prayers—President Lawrence S. Bacow announced today that Stephanie Paulsell, Swartz professor of the practice of Christian studies, will serve as the interim Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, succeeding the Reverend Jonathan L. Walton, who departed during the summer to assume the deanship of Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity.

Paulsell, who joined the Harvard Divinity School faculty as a lecturer on ministry in 2001, subsequently served as associate dean for ministry studies. An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she is an affiliated minister in Memorial Church, and serves as the faculty adviser for the Harvard College Interfaith Forum and chair of the Board of Religious, Ethical, and Spiritual Life at Harvard. Her research and teaching focus on the intersection of the intellect and spiritual practice; according to the University announcement, she will teach her course on “Virginial Woolf and Religion” this fall, and, with Amy Hollywood, “Emily Dickinson: ‘the extasy define-.’” She is writing a book on Woolf and religion, and co-editing another volume on Goodness and the Literary Imagination.

In a statement in the news announcement, Bacow said the interim minister “is well-regarded among her colleagues for both her academic achievements and her pastoral commitments,” observing that, “For much of her distinguished career, Stephanie’s research has explored the intersection between intellectual work and spiritual practice, between the academic study of religion and the practices of ministry.”

A search will be conducted for a permanent successor.

Read the University announcement here.

Read more articles by John S. Rosenberg
Sub topics

You might also like

John Goldberg named Dean of Harvard Law School

A professor at HLS since 2008, he steps up from the interim role.

Nieman Foundation Names Henry Chu as Interim Curator

Veteran LA Times journalist calls attention to press freedom

Harvard Can Continue Hosting International Students, Judge Says

Trump hints at a possible settlement with the University.

Most popular

Harvard Commencement Day 2025

The 374th Commencement exercises 

Trump Administration Alleges Harvard Violated Student Civil Rights

In a court filing, the University says government has ignored procedure to “inflict pain.”

House Committee Subpoenas Harvard Over Tuition Costs

The University must turn over all requested materials related to tuition and financial aid by mid-July. 

Explore More From Current Issue

Julia Rooney’s Cyanotype Art At Harvard

Julia Rooney’s paintings cross the analog-digital divide.

Harvard’s Comedy and Improv Scene

In comedy groups, students find ways to be absurd, present, and a little less self-conscious.