Adapted from a Nashotah House announcement
Nashotah House Theological Seminary’s board of trustees has elected the Rev. Steven Peay, dean for academic affairs, as the school’s 20th dean and president. The seminary had set October 20 as the deadline for applications.
During the trustees’ meeting on October 23 a search committee reported its unanimous recommendation of Fr. Peay. The trustees then approved his election.
“I am completely delighted with the election of Fr. Peay to be our next dean and president,” said the Rt. Rev. Daniel Martins, chairman of the trustees. “He has already shown himself to be an effective leader, pastor, and scholar while a member of the Nashotah House faculty. He is intimately familiar with our operations and will be able to hit the ground running in a seamless transition from the ministry of Bishop Edward Salmon.”
“There is no question in my mind that Fr. Peay is uniquely qualified to lead Nashotah House at this critical time,” said Archbishop Robert Duncan, a trustee and a member of the search committee. “Now more than ever the House’s rootedness in the person and work of Jesus Christ is needed. Under Fr. Peay’s leadership the House will continue to bless, I believe, the whole Church.”
Peay’s undergraduate study of Church history led him toward monastic life at St. Vincent Archabbey at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1977. After his first profession of vows he studied for the priesthood. He was ordained deacon in 1981 and priest in 1982.
He was assistant professor of homiletics and historical theology at St. Vincent’s. During his tenure at the seminary he also served as academic dean for five years. Leaving monastic life in 1994, he devoted himself to parish work for the next 15 years in Congregational churches in Wisconsin, while continuing to research, write, and teach in various venues.
Peay came to Nashotah House as adjunct professor of Church history in 2008 and was elected to the faculty in 2010. His orders were received in August 2010, and he is a priest of the Diocese of Albany.
Peay and his wife, Julie, have been married since 1996, and they are the parents of of Jeremy and Matthew.
