Rev.Dr. Alfred C. Bartholomew

Reverend Dr. Alfred C. Bartholomew, 94, of Lancaster, died peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2013 at StoneRidge Retirement Living, Myerstown. Born in Catasauqua, he was the son of the late Edwin J. and Meda Wenner Bartholomew. He was the loving husband of the late Joyce Studenmund Bartholomew who died June 1995.

Dr. Bartholomew received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Ursinus College of Collegeville PA, Bachelor of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary, Ph.D. from Drew University in Madison NJ, and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Ursinus College.

Dr. Bartholomew served in many leadership positions within many ecumenical bodies. He was an Ordained Minister of the United Church of Christ for 71 years serving as Pastor of Pleasantville U.C.C. in Chalfont, for 7 years, Professor of Church and Community at the Lancaster Theological seminary for 22 years, General Secretary for the Division of World Service United Church Board for World Ministries for 12 years in New York, NY; served as chairman of Church World Service, and served as chairman of CODEL, an ecumenical development partnership that included as many Roman Catholic organizations as Protestant organizations (receiving special recognition for his service by Pope John Paul II), and member of the boards of a number of other international nongovernmental organizations. Following retirement he served as interim Pastor in eleven congregations. He taught rural church in the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Greece, Ghana, and Honduras. He also served as Administrator for the ministry to agriculture migrants for the PA Council, and was a Negotiator for the U.C.C. in Union Churches and (according to him held the record for breaking up more churches than any other pastor in the U.C.C.). He was a member of First Reformed United Church of Christ, Lancaster.

Surviving is a daughter Jocelyn Alida Bartholomew wife of Mamoru Sugimoto, Statesville, NC., a son, Philip F. husband of Mary Schechter Bartholomew of Woodbridge, VA; a daughter- in-law Mary Shope Bartholomew Carpenter, Derby, CT; seven grandchildren and one great grandson. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by a son, Alan Alfred Bartholomew; a brother Gilbert Bartholomew; and a sister Edna Mills.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his Memorial Service at the First Reformed United Church of Christ, 40 East Orange St. Lancaster, on Saturday November 16, 2013 at 2:00 PM. Interment will be private in First Reformed U.C.C. Memorial Garden. Clergy are invited to join in procession with vestments at the service. Friends may visit with the family at the church immediately following the memorial service on Saturday afternoon. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions in Dr. Bartholomew’s memory may be sent to (OCWM) Our Churches Wider Mission of the United Church of Christ, Service Division, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115.