St. James' Episcopal Church

Mary Lansford and Father Theron Lansford
at St. James. Sunday April 22, 2007.

Theron Lansford wasn't always a priest. Prior to his ordination, Fr. Lansford was the Dean of Tri State University in Angola, Indiana. Besides being the Dean he was also a Professor of Psychology, Professor of Philosophy, and served as the school's fencing coach. But, as Fr. Lansford puts it, he “needed something to do on Sundays”.
Fr. Lansford’s wife, Mary, says that although her husband had been feeling the call for some time, it was Bishop Kline (then the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Indiana) who convinced Fr. Lansford that he should answer the call.
Theron Lansford was ordained to the ministry by Bishop Kline at Holy Family Episcopal Church in Angola, Indiana, on April 22nd, 1972. Incidentally he was the last priest ever ordained by Bishop Kline.
Fr. Lansford says he wasn't ordained to be a rector, but rather to help parishes around the diocese. That is exactly what he has done for 35 years. He has served the congregations of Holy Family in Angola, St. Anne’s in Warsaw, St. Andrew’s in Valparaiso, and Christ The King in Huntington as either Priest-in-Charge or Interim at various times. He has also served as supply clergy everywhere else in the diocese. Father and Mary once spent 4 days of Holy Week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) celebrating 8 services in 6 cities. They lived in their camper while they traveled.
The Lansfords now make their home in Fort Wayne, but Fr. Lansford is still serving the congregations of the diocese, most recently here at St. James. We are most thankful for his ministry, are very pleased that Fr. Lansford and Mary were with us on such a happy occasion.