Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer is the pastor, head of staff and minister of word and sacrament at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois. She discusses her journey to that position, and also gives an in-depth discussion about the theology and doctrinal foundation of the Presbyterian Church in America. Reverend Denham-Kieffer earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Hope College, a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry with an emphasis in Pastoral Counseling from Eden Theological Seminary. She also received a clergy renewal grant from the Lily Foundation in 2011.
Interview Links
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Early life, seminary training, Lily Foundation and ministry
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL
Photos
Caption
Blythe with the Rev. Dr. Ian Pitt-Watson, who was her preaching professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California on the occasion of her graduation in May 1981.
Where:
Pasadena, California
When:
May 1981
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Blythe with her family on November 6, 1983 for the occasion of her ordination at the First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Illinois.
Where:
Belleville, Illinois
When:
November 6, 1983
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Blythe gave the children’s sermon in September of 1994 at the First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Illinois.
Where:
Belleville Illinois
When:
September of 1994
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Blythe with Peter with their son Paul on the 15th anniversary of her ordination at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church in Webster Groves, Missouri.
Where:
Webster Groves, Missouri
When:
1998
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Blythe with her husband Peter and son Paul in downtown Chicago at the dedication of the “Angel of Peace” sculpture created by William T. Kieffer, Jr. (her father-in-law) and dedicated on the 60th anniversary of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
1998
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Blythe had this candid shot taken while standing in the doorway of the Catholic Cathedral in Belleville, Illinois in May 2009. She was officiating at a wedding that day.
Where:
Belleville Illinois
When:
May 2009
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Dr. Kiefer welcomes members and friends at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois on Easter Sunday, 2016.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
2016
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Blythe with women from the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of women’s ordination at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
July 2016
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Blythe with her husband, Peter and their son at Paul’s graduation from Hope College (Blythe’s alma mater) in Holland, Michigan in 2017.
Where:
Holland, Michigan
When:
2017
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Dr. Kieffer commissioned confirmand Samantha Magalis in April of 2018 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
April of 2018
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Dr. Kieffer baptized Eva Volle in at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
August 2018
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The Kieffers in front of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany in August 2018 where Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses in 1517, beginning the Reformation.
Where:
Wittenburg, Germany
When:
August 2018
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Dr. Kieffer is recognized in October 2018 by the Pastor Nominating Committee on the occasion of her fifth anniversary at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
October 2018
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Dr. Kieffer recognized her husband on the celebration of her 35th ordination anniversary in November 2018 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
November 2018
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Dr. Kieffer recognized Betty Smith for her gift of $2.4 million to the Westminster Endowment Fund in January of 2019.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
January of 2019
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Dr. Kieffer offers benediction in Chancel with her colleagues and acolytes on Easter morning 2019. From left to right are Matthew Knox, Rev. Christian Choi, Rev. Jerry Boutelle, Dr. Kieffer, Rev. Trajan McGill and Avery Pound.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
2019
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The Kieffers visited the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. where President Lincoln worshipped during his presidency.
Where:
Washington, D.C.
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s phot