Adapted from a Trinity Wall Street release
The Very Rev. William Lupfer, dean of Trinity Cathedral in Portland, will become the 18th rector of Trinity Wall Street. The historic parish’s vestry chose Lupfer on June 11.
Lupfer will succeed the Rev. James H. Cooper, who has served at Trinity Wall Street for 11 years.
“Early in the call process, a rector from another church advised us to seek someone ‘who loves the people.’ We believe we have found such a person in Dr. Lupfer,” said warden Christopher McCrudden. “The visitation team that went to see him at Trinity Cathedral in Portland was struck by the palpable affection that seemed to flow within that congregation and between the congregation and their dean. We have faith in the Holy Spirit that, as the steward of Trinity Wall Street, Dr. Lupfer will be a profound leader who will forge a strong and pastoral bond with the members of our parish and engage the diverse viewpoints of our community and our world.”
Lupfer is an alumnus of the University of Colorado and Yale University. He completed a doctor of ministry degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in 2003, writing a dissertation on “The Rector as Parish Leader: Leveraging Vestry Leadership for Spiritual Formation.” He was ordained deacon in 1993 and priest in 1994.
He has been married to Kimiko Koga Lupfer since 1990. They are the parents of two Sarah and Kyle.
“I am humbled and blessed by the opportunity to follow the extraordinary spiritual leaders whose presence has graced, guided, and sustained this historic and vibrant parish for more than three centuries” Lupfer said. “The ministry of Trinity Wall Street echoes for the ages, a faith community whose mission work throughout the Anglican Communion, from Lower Manhattan to the Global South, is both broad and personal and rich with promise. I am honored to dedicate myself to its ministry and future. With the help of the Holy Spirit, together we will seek the betterment of human life according to God’s vision, for a world of good.”
Services began in 1698 at the first Trinity Church, standing at the head of Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. The third Trinity Church, circa 1846, stands there today.
