This week in Christian history: Mr. Rogers ordained, Pentecostal leader born

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, June 05, 2022

Mr. Rogers ordained as Presbyterian minister – June 9, 1963

Fred Rogers, beloved host of 'Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood' — Fred Rogers, beloved host of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" | (Photo: Twitter/Amber Taylor)

This week marks the anniversary of when Fred Rogers, the influential and beloved host of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” was ordained at Third Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Rogers became a minister in the Pittsburgh Presbytery of the United Presbyterian Church in the USA, a forerunner of the Presbyterian Church (USA), having taken classes at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

According to a soundbite of Rogers that was posted on YouTube around the 50th anniversary of his ordination, the goal of his ministry was “to work with families through the mass media.”

“While he never served in the traditional role of pastor of a brick-and-mortar church, his ministry to children reached millions of children and adults,” explained the PC(USA) Synod of the Trinity.

“As creator of this longest-running program on public television, Fred walked into the studio each day saying, ‘Dear God, let some word that is heard be Yours.’ And through his more than 900 episodes of the internationally acclaimed children’s program and his more than 200 songs, he communicated the love of God through his always-gentle manner and ever-reassuring words.”