In Memoriam: The Rev. Jim Lewis

With deep sadness, we share that the Rev. Earl James “Jim” Lewis died on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Charleston. He was 90 years old. Lewis was preceded in death by his wife, Judith Graham, and son, Stephen. He is survived by his three daughters, Katherine, Deb, and Beth, who were with him when he died.

Lewis’s ministry was marked by a deep and abiding commitment to Gospel-centered justice. He liked to get up to “good trouble;” as an outpouring of his faith, he never ceased working to shed light on the injustices he saw around him. 

Lewis was ordained to the diaconate in 1964 and to the priesthood in 1965 in the Diocese of Delaware. He served as rector of Trinity, Martinsburg, from 1968-1974 and St. John’s, Charleston, from 1974-1982. In his later years, he also preached and offered sacramental support at St. Christopher, Charleston. 

During his tenure at St. John’s, he founded Manna Meal, which continues to feed the hungry in Charleston; openly supported the LGBTQ+ community, even blessing two same-sex relationships at St. John’s in the 1970s, long before Church or state recognized the unions; and was a powerful pro-textbook voice in the Kanawha County Textbook Controversy. Moreover, he worked for racial justice, workers’ rights, reproductive justice, and countless other causes.

His influence was not limited to the Charleston community but reverberated throughout West Virginia and around the Episcopal Church.

The Burial Office with the Holy Eucharist and Service of Committal will be at St. John’s, Charleston, on Saturday, April 25, at 1:00pm. Clergy are invited to vest (cassock, surplice, and white stoles) and process.

Please join us in praying for the repose of Jim’s soul, for his family and loved ones, and for all who now grieve.

Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world;

In the name of God the Father Almighty who created you;

In the name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you;

In the name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.

May your rest be this day in peace, 

and your dwelling place in the Paradise of God.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Jim. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.