The Rev. Craig D. Townsend


St. James' Church, New York City

Bio

I have been an Episcopal priest for over twenty-five years, serving in congregations in Michigan (briefly) and New York City. I am currently Vicar at St. James' Church in Manhattan, which means I'm the senior associate and have particular responsibility for education - I work with our children's and youth directors, and I oversee the adult education program. I am also the Administrator of the Lilly Program, a grant-supported program for the intentional mentoring of newly-ordained clergy - truly a great project and a joy.

I received my Ph.D. in the Study of Religion (History of Christianity) from Harvard University in 1998; my field is American Religious History. My dissertation (which has turned into Faith in Their Own Color) was entitled An Inexpedient Time: Race and Religion Among New York City Episcopalians, 1809-1853. I like the new title better.

I also graduated from Brown University in 1978 and the Episcopal Divinity School in 1982, and I live in Brooklyn with my family.

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