By Meg Hibbert
Contributing Writer
In a way, Ned Morris has come home. Roanoke College graduate J. Edward Morris is the new rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal in Salem. He has been priest in charge for the past year before Bishop Mark Bourlakas appointed Morris to be the permanent rector.
“What I enjoy is the great people of St. Paul’s, a church that is invested in the community,” said Morris. “I love that we have St. Anne’s Day School, an inspired music ministry and a church that is interested in inviting, welcoming and connecting with people.”
And he added, “I like the proximity to Roanoke College and that the church is within a block of a coffee shop, a pizzeria, a bakery, a wine shop and a brewery.”
The 58-year-old is familiar with Salem from his days at Roanoke College where he earned a BA in religion and philosophy in 1988, and then eight years on the staff as assistant to then-Chaplain Paul Henrickson.
Morris’ office door is open where his pup Dobby usually helps welcome visitors.
He was raised in the Episcopal church. He was born in Williamsburg, then lived in Barboursville until moving to Maryland when he was five.
After graduation from Roanoke College, he lived in Washington, D.C., as a member of the Cathedral Volunteer Service Community sponsored by the National Cathedral (1988-1989). During that year, he worked at Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington serving the needs of the homeless and unemployed. Morris earned his Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1993.
During his eight years on staff at RC, he developed and led campus ministry programs, directed community service initiatives, and served as a therapist in the college’s Counseling Center.
Morris earned his M.Div. from the General Theological Seminary in New York. His first call after seminary was as associate rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Staunton. He was rector of Episcopal Church of the Advent in Spartanburg, SC from 2009-2023 where he moved from Louisville, KY, after serving as rector of Calvary Episcopal Church (2004–2009).
He is the father of four children: Halstead, 23, superintendent of a construction company in Conway, S.C.; William, 22, working and earning a bachelor’s degree in IT; daughters Lou Lou, 20, a college sophomore, and Evers, 17, a high school student in Spartansburg.
Morris frequently drives to Spartansburg for Evers’ lacrosse games.
In his leisure time he said he enjoys reading, teaching, laughing, watching sports and cinema, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
