About Lee
February 28, 1919 -
March 21, 2003
Lee Charles Moorehead was born in Peoria, IL, the third of four children of Lee Coddington and Dial Winifred Davis Moorehead. His mother was pregnant with him during the 1918 Pandemic. In 1922, at the age three, he suffered the loss of his father to a sudden illness of pneumonia. His mother then moved her family of four small children to Decatur, IL, where she had lived and gone to school at Millikin.
Lee's lifelong love of Abraham Lincoln developed from living in this area of Illinois near the Lincoln Trail. He graduated from Decatur High School and went down the street from his family home to Millikin University, where he graduated in 1941. Also in his graduating class was his mother Winifred, who had become a teacher to support her family and had worked over the years to complete her degree. Following graduation he went with his childhood friend to enter the seminary at Boston University School of Theology. The summer of 1942 he married fellow Millikin classmate Betty Birmingham of Chicago. They returned to Boston University, where Lee finished seminary and Betty pursued a masters in social work.
Lee was ordained into the Methodist Church in 1944 and was first appointed minister to students at the Wesley Foundation at Ohio State University and associate pastor of Indianola Methodist Church in Columbus. There followed pastorates in Ada, Chillicothe and Columbus, Ohio. He served four years as professor of preaching and worship at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Lee then returned to serving churches at Delaware, Ohio, Carbondale, Illinois, and Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin. He retired in 1984 and Lee and Betty made their home in Batavia, IL.
During his years of leadership in the church, Lee was a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conferences three times. He was a member of the National Board of Christian Social Concerns for twelve years. The summer of 1956 he took his family on an exchange pastorate in England. In 1961 he wrote the book “Freedom of the Pulpit” and in retirement he co-authored the book “Six Stages of A Pastor’s Life.“
At the time of his retirement, a collection entitled “Sermons to Remember” was published by his church. For many years he taught around the country at The United Methodist Church’s Schools for Missions. He also directed the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church’s School for Preaching. He was mentor to countless young ministers and greatly enjoyed leading confirmation classes in the churches he served.
In retirement he served as parish minister at Community United Methodist Church, Naperville and Batavia United Methodist Church, where he was named minister emeritus.
Because of Lee’s special interest in Abraham Lincoln, for twenty-two years he directed an annual seminar trip to Springfield, IL to study the life and leadership of Lincoln. He was well known to many of the most prominent Lincoln scholars and authors in the country and regularly had several participate in his seminars.
Another great love was for books, one he shared with his mother. From her library in Decatur came the idea for the Books Between Bites program that he successfully launched in Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin. In retirement he established the program in Batavia, where it has flourished for many years.
Lee was an extremely inquisitive and vigorous person. He dedicated himself to many causes, especially the civil rights movement and to the brotherhood and exchange of cultures and religions. He thrived on living in university towns, enjoying the opportunity to befriend people from all over the world and to enjoy theatre, symphony, opera, and sporting events.
At the time of his retirement he arrived in Batavia full of energy and embraced life in his new community. He began as a member of ACCESS, serving as its president and chair of the Heritage Committee. He took great interest in the story of Mary Todd Lincoln’s brief stay in Batavia and established the annual Lincoln Dinner Theater. He was elected to the Batavia Library Board and in 1991 he was chosen Batavia Citizen of the Year.
Together with his wife Betty, Lee coordinated Batavia United Methodist Church’s involvement at Hesed House for many years and volunteered there frequently. They also delivered meals for the Golden Diners program, volunteered at the Depot Museum, assisted with RSVP and its senior prescription program and drove seniors to medical appointments, and coordinated blood drives at their church.
Lee Charles Moorehead was born in Peoria, IL, the third of four children of Lee Coddington and Dial Winifred Davis Moorehead. His mother was pregnant with him during the 1918 Pandemic. In 1922, at the age three, he suffered the loss of his father to a sudden illness of pneumonia. His mother then moved her family of four small children to Decatur, IL, where she had lived and gone to school at Millikin.
Lee's lifelong love of Abraham Lincoln developed from living in this area of Illinois near the Lincoln Trail. He graduated from Decatur High School and went down the street from his family home to Millikin University, where he graduated in 1941. Also in his graduating class was his mother Winifred, who had become a teacher to support her family and had worked over the years to complete her degree. Following graduation he went with his childhood friend to enter the seminary at Boston University School of Theology. The summer of 1942 he married fellow Millikin classmate Betty Birmingham of Chicago. They returned to Boston University, where Lee finished seminary and Betty pursued a masters in social work.
Lee was ordained into the Methodist Church in 1944 and was first appointed minister to students at the Wesley Foundation at Ohio State University and associate pastor of Indianola Methodist Church in Columbus. There followed pastorates in Ada, Chillicothe and Columbus, Ohio. He served four years as professor of preaching and worship at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Lee then returned to serving churches at Delaware, Ohio, Carbondale, Illinois, and Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin. He retired in 1984 and Lee and Betty made their home in Batavia, IL.
During his years of leadership in the church, Lee was a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conferences three times. He was a member of the National Board of Christian Social Concerns for twelve years. The summer of 1956 he took his family on an exchange pastorate in England. In 1961 he wrote the book “Freedom of the Pulpit” and in retirement he co-authored the book “Six Stages of A Pastor’s Life.“
At the time of his retirement, a collection entitled “Sermons to Remember” was published by his church. For many years he taught around the country at The United Methodist Church’s Schools for Missions. He also directed the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church’s School for Preaching. He was mentor to countless young ministers and greatly enjoyed leading confirmation classes in the churches he served.
In retirement he served as parish minister at Community United Methodist Church, Naperville and Batavia United Methodist Church, where he was named minister emeritus.
Because of Lee’s special interest in Abraham Lincoln, for twenty-two years he directed an annual seminar trip to Springfield, IL to study the life and leadership of Lincoln. He was well known to many of the most prominent Lincoln scholars and authors in the country and regularly had several participate in his seminars.
Another great love was for books, one he shared with his mother. From her library in Decatur came the idea for the Books Between Bites program that he successfully launched in Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin. In retirement he established the program in Batavia, where it has flourished for many years.
Lee was an extremely inquisitive and vigorous person. He dedicated himself to many causes, especially the civil rights movement and to the brotherhood and exchange of cultures and religions. He thrived on living in university towns, enjoying the opportunity to befriend people from all over the world and to enjoy theatre, symphony, opera, and sporting events.
At the time of his retirement he arrived in Batavia full of energy and embraced life in his new community. He began as a member of ACCESS, serving as its president and chair of the Heritage Committee. He took great interest in the story of Mary Todd Lincoln’s brief stay in Batavia and established the annual Lincoln Dinner Theater. He was elected to the Batavia Library Board and in 1991 he was chosen Batavia Citizen of the Year.
Together with his wife Betty, Lee coordinated Batavia United Methodist Church’s involvement at Hesed House for many years and volunteered there frequently. They also delivered meals for the Golden Diners program, volunteered at the Depot Museum, assisted with RSVP and its senior prescription program and drove seniors to medical appointments, and coordinated blood drives at their church.
Betty Birmingham Moorehead turned 99 in
November 2019, and passed away February 8, 2020.
Betty & Becky kept Books Between Bites
going in Batavia with its 32nd season in Batavia
starting in September 2018. Unfortunately. the
33rd season was cut short, due to COVID-19, and
the last public program was in February 2020.
The 2020-21 Season has been cancelled and it is
hoped to start up again in Fall 2022.
Books Between Bites website
This website has been created with love and
admiration by Lee's daughter, Rebecca "Becky" Moorehead Hoag
Wesley Foundation at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Lee's first pastorate
Lee's first pastorate
Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, Madison, WI
Lee's last pastorate
Lee's last pastorate
The parsonage at 242 E. 18th Ave., Columbus, OH where the family lived for 8 years when Lee served
Indianola Methodist Church.
It is practically on the OSU campus and is now student apartments, as is most of the neighborhood.
Indianola Methodist Church.
It is practically on the OSU campus and is now student apartments, as is most of the neighborhood.
Places Lee & Betty lived/served:
Columbus,
Ohio - 1944-1948
The Wesley Foundation & Indianola Methodist Church
David was born March 8, 1944
Ada, Ohio - 1948-1952
Ada Methodist Church
Debbie was born August 8, 1946
Chillicothe, Ohio -June 1952 -June 1953
Trinity Methodist Church
Becky was born December 7, 1952
Columbus, Ohio - 1954 -1961
Indianola Methodist Church
Tim was born March 8, 1957
England Exchange pastorate, Ealing Broadway Church (near London)
summer of 1956 (This church no longer exists)
Kansas City, Missouri - 1961-1965
Professor of Preaching and Worship at St Paul School of Theology
The family lived in Prairie Village, Kansas
Delaware, Ohio 1965-1968
William St. Methodist Church
Carbondale, Illinois - 1968- 1972
1st United Methodist Church
Green Bay, Wisconsin 1972-1976
1st United Methodist Church
Madison, Wisconsin 1976-84
1st United Methodist Church
Lee & Betty retired from Madison to Batavia, Illinois the summer of 1984.
In his retirement, Lee served as a visitation/support pastor.
He first, at Community United Methodist Church, Naperville for Dr. Gene Winkler, who had been a student of his at St. Paul School of Theology. Lee then served in this role for several years at Batavia United Methodist Church
The Wesley Foundation & Indianola Methodist Church
David was born March 8, 1944
Ada, Ohio - 1948-1952
Ada Methodist Church
Debbie was born August 8, 1946
Chillicothe, Ohio -June 1952 -June 1953
Trinity Methodist Church
Becky was born December 7, 1952
Columbus, Ohio - 1954 -1961
Indianola Methodist Church
Tim was born March 8, 1957
England Exchange pastorate, Ealing Broadway Church (near London)
summer of 1956 (This church no longer exists)
Kansas City, Missouri - 1961-1965
Professor of Preaching and Worship at St Paul School of Theology
The family lived in Prairie Village, Kansas
Delaware, Ohio 1965-1968
William St. Methodist Church
Carbondale, Illinois - 1968- 1972
1st United Methodist Church
Green Bay, Wisconsin 1972-1976
1st United Methodist Church
Madison, Wisconsin 1976-84
1st United Methodist Church
Lee & Betty retired from Madison to Batavia, Illinois the summer of 1984.
In his retirement, Lee served as a visitation/support pastor.
He first, at Community United Methodist Church, Naperville for Dr. Gene Winkler, who had been a student of his at St. Paul School of Theology. Lee then served in this role for several years at Batavia United Methodist Church
Moving from Carbondale, IL to Green Bay, WI was quite a
shift, and it was the first time a parsonage was not
provided (now common) and Lee & Betty had to buy this
home -- and a snowblower.
A favorite of all the parsonages, in Delaware, Ohio,
the home of Ohio Wesleyan University.
Lee & Betty only lived in two communities that weren't home to a University: Chillicothe, OH (just 1 year)
and their retirement community of Batavia, IL.
the home of Ohio Wesleyan University.
Lee & Betty only lived in two communities that weren't home to a University: Chillicothe, OH (just 1 year)
and their retirement community of Batavia, IL.
Other Activities & Involvements
Lee and Betty initiated many activities and events in the
communities where they lived:
Blood Drives at every church he served
The Lincoln Seminar to Springfield, Illinois, leading this annual tour of Lincoln sites for 22 years CLICK HERE for Photos
Was a delegate to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences of the (United) Methodist Church three times
Blood Drives at every church he served
The Lincoln Seminar to Springfield, Illinois, leading this annual tour of Lincoln sites for 22 years CLICK HERE for Photos
The Lincoln Dinner in
Batavia, Illinois
Books Between Bites,
started in Carbondale, Illinois and held in the rest of
the communities in which they lived
Website
The School for Preaching,
Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church
Activities Lee participated in during his career:
The American Seminar "The Eddy Seminar" a post-WWII tour of Europe led by Sherwood Eddy Scroll down for more info
Activities Lee participated in during his career:
The American Seminar "The Eddy Seminar" a post-WWII tour of Europe led by Sherwood Eddy Scroll down for more info
Exchange pastorate to Ealing
Broadway Church, London, England, Summer 1956
Participated in the National
Council of Churches Group of Clergy who went to
Clarksdale, Mississippi to make a witness
to racial brotherhood and justice, August 1963 He wrote a story about the experience
Out of the Pulpit Into A Freedom Procession
A famous photograph by civil rights photo journalist Danny Lyon reveals how the group of clergy were greeted
by the local police force as they march through the downtown. Link to photo
to racial brotherhood and justice, August 1963 He wrote a story about the experience
Out of the Pulpit Into A Freedom Procession
A famous photograph by civil rights photo journalist Danny Lyon reveals how the group of clergy were greeted
by the local police force as they march through the downtown. Link to photo
The Lincoln Forum &
Civil War Roundtable
Taught in United Methodist
Schools of Mission all over the country for many
years
Served on the United Methodist committee to develop the initial "Law of the Sea"
Served on the United Methodist committee to develop the initial "Law of the Sea"
Was a delegate to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences of the (United) Methodist Church three times
Served on the committee to create and build the
Church Center for the United
Nations in 1963
link
The American Seminar
In the summer of 1950, Lee participated in the 20th annual
American Seminar to Europe, led by Sherwood Eddy. Lee was 31
years old and pastor at St. Marks Methodist Church, Ada, Ohio.
He wrote a weekly column about his experiences that was
published in the Ada, Ohio newspaper.
About Sherwood Eddy (1871–1963) Eddy was a leading American Protestant missionary, administrator and educator. He was a prolific author and indefatigable traveler. His main achievement was to link and finance networks of intellectuals across the globe, especially Christian leaders in Asia and the Middle East. He enabled missionaries to better understand and even think like the people they were serving. His long-term impact on the Protestant communities in the United States, and in the Third World, was long lasting. He was affiliated with the YMCA. The seminar was a party of educators, editors, ministers, and social workers making a first-hand study of the situation abroad. It included lectures, interviews, and group conferences with a number of prominent leaders in political, economic, education, and religious fields, in addition to visiting many of the principal points of interest in Europe.
The brochure (link below) states: This is the only party which, on its annual visits to Europe during two decades, has been met and addressed by the Prime Ministers of Great Britain, the Premiers of France, and similar leaders of Europe.
The group sailed from New York on the SS Queen Mary on June 23, 1950, and returned on the same ship on August 13. The itinerary included visits to London, Amsterdam and The Hague, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Oberammergau, Venice, Geneva, and Paris.
The American Seminar Brochure 1950
Newspaper Columns Lee submitted and were published in the Ada, Ohio Herald
About Sherwood Eddy (1871–1963) Eddy was a leading American Protestant missionary, administrator and educator. He was a prolific author and indefatigable traveler. His main achievement was to link and finance networks of intellectuals across the globe, especially Christian leaders in Asia and the Middle East. He enabled missionaries to better understand and even think like the people they were serving. His long-term impact on the Protestant communities in the United States, and in the Third World, was long lasting. He was affiliated with the YMCA. The seminar was a party of educators, editors, ministers, and social workers making a first-hand study of the situation abroad. It included lectures, interviews, and group conferences with a number of prominent leaders in political, economic, education, and religious fields, in addition to visiting many of the principal points of interest in Europe.
The brochure (link below) states: This is the only party which, on its annual visits to Europe during two decades, has been met and addressed by the Prime Ministers of Great Britain, the Premiers of France, and similar leaders of Europe.
The group sailed from New York on the SS Queen Mary on June 23, 1950, and returned on the same ship on August 13. The itinerary included visits to London, Amsterdam and The Hague, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Oberammergau, Venice, Geneva, and Paris.
The American Seminar Brochure 1950
Newspaper Columns Lee submitted and were published in the Ada, Ohio Herald