The Rev. Dr. Blythe Kieffer is retiring from Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., after serving as pastor and head of staff for 12 years. She will give her final sermon, “Gratitude,” on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Special music will be presented by the Westminster Choir and Dale Rogers, organist. A reception will follow in Parish Hall. All are welcome to attend the Sunday worship service and reception in Kieffer’s honor.
Kieffer’s official retirement is the end of September, a culmination of 43 years in pastoral ministry. “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as the 18th pastor of this progressive, generous congregation founded by abolitionists in 1835,” said Kieffer.
Kieffer served the Webster Groves Presbyterian Church in Webster Groves, Missouri, for 19 years and the First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville for 12 years prior to becoming pastor of Westminster in October 2013.
Kieffer grew up in the Chicago suburb of South Holland and was raised in a denomination that did not ordain women – the Reformed Church of America. She later joined the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, which sponsored her ordination.
Kieffer has a bachelor’s degree from Hope College in Holland, Michigan; a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California; and a Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in pastoral counseling from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.
Kieffer said she is most proud of her leadership for the “Building A Legacy of Faith” anniversary endowment campaign and the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor, growing the endowment from $1.9 million in 2015 to $8.1 million in 2020. This enabled tan investment in the church’s property as well as the surrounding neighborhoods.
“Steadfast in the sense of continuity, consistency, resilience, being there and staying the course provides rich imagery for God’s faithfulness to us and God’s call for us to be faithful to our neighbors,” said Kieffer.
The Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor involved major site renovations totaling $1.4 million for landscaping, parking lot improvements and enhanced entry areas and terraces along with a $450,000 investment for mission outreach in the surrounding neighborhood over the next decade. This includes matching grants to homeowners, an annual service week, a micropantry at Graham Elementary School and sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity house on Glenwood Avenue.
As a result of this commitment there have been 35 matching grants and 34 service week projects at 19 homes in the neighborhood. The Sixth Annual Steadfast Neighbor Service Week took place in June. Projects in the neighborhood included power washing, painting, construction and landscaping, involving many volunteers from the congregation.
Tom Owen serves as the clerk of session on behalf of the church and its congregation. He has been affiliated with Westminster since his baptism in 1949 and has worked with Kieffer throughout her tenure.
“In the time I have known her, Blythe has proven to be one of the most hard-working and focused individuals I have known and yet she always seems to have time to listen, chat, discuss concerns and share thoughts and ideas,” said Owen. “I have enjoyed her ministry, friendship and our collaboration working together.”
Kieffer is well-liked and respected by her congregation and within the community. More than 200 people have registered to attend an evening celebration of her ministry at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.
“The spirit of advocacy for justice and mercy continues to be alive and well,” said Kieffer. “I shall miss my dear friends at Westminster who have been reliable and loving partners in ministry.”
Kieffer will be moving to Chicago, just three blocks from the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, which was designed by the same architect as Westminster Presbyterian Church (Ralph Adams Cram, a leading figure in the Gothic Revival Style).
The Rev. Dr. Anne Marshall will become the 19th pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church on Oct. 1.
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This article appears in Fall Guide 2025.
