President Emeritus, 1974-1986
Wayne Harvey Bell, President-Emeritus of Lexington Theological Seminary, died peacefully in his sleep early Monday morning, April 17, after a glorious Easter Sunday filled with music, hope and family. He is survived by his wife of almost 73 years, Virginia Marsh Bell, and predeceased by son, David Wayne Bell (Carol Flitner Bell); granddaughter, Jennifer Little; brothers, Keith and Winston Bell and sister, Lavonne Bell Smith. His life is celebrated by his children Brenda Bell, Marsha Uselton (Terry), Laura Bell (David Beckett), Dr. Kendall Bell (Linda); grandchildren Laura Bogle (Katie Goslee), Anna Bogle, Maggie Bogle (Peter Shriner), Nathan Uselton (Andrea), Beth Uselton (Chad Winn), Sarah Bell Helevang (David), Luke Bell, Jane Bell, Amy Little Bey (Jeremy); Melissa Bell Jaggers (Tommy), Miles Bell; and great grandchildren Dagon, Kaden and Kelsey Uselton, Wiley and Mavis Shriner, Johanna, Willa and Ellie Goslee-Bogle, Virginia Winn, Gus and Graham Bey, Isaac and Eliza Jaggers; brother, Raymond L. Bell, and a large extended family. He lived his life fully engaged with family and the communities in which he lived. A committed advocate for social justice, he was known for his compassionate ministering to congregations and his astute leadership of organizations associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Born June 9, 1919, in Dayton, Washington, son of the late Harry L. and Inez Fortune Bell, he was educated in the public schools of Wenatchee and Ellensburg, WA and Harlan, KY. He was a graduate of Transylvania University and Lexington Theological Seminary, with Clinical Pastoral Education at Rochester State Mental Hospital in Rochester, NY, and continuing studies at Union Theological Seminary, Vanderbilt Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Transylvania University and an honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from Episcopal Theological Seminary of Kentucky. Prior to serving as President of Lexington Theological Seminary (1974-1986), Dr. Bell was Senior Minister of Vine Street Christian Church, Nashville, TN; Seventh Street Christian Church, Richmond, VA; and First Christian Church, Shelbyville, KY. Throughout his ministry he was involved in issues of religion and mental health, social justice, ecumenical relationships and the education of ministers. He served on many national and regional boards of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), including the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, the Commission on Brotherhood Finance, the Council on Christian Unity, Division of Higher Education, the Virginia Christian Missionary Society, the Tennessee Christian Missionary Society and the Virginia Council of Churches. While President of LTS, he served on the executive committee of the Theological Association of the United States and Canada and was a founding member of the Appalachian Ministerial Education Resource Center (AMERC). He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Transylvania University, a devoted Rotarian, and an active member of Central Christian Church, where he served as elder and lay leader. Following retirement from the Seminary in, he was a Donovan Scholar at the University of Kentucky in Russian studies and facilitated, on behalf of the National Council of Churches, several dialogue meetings with the Russian Orthodox Church in the former Soviet Union. He served as interim pastor for churches in central Kentucky and was the coordinator for the Theological Education Association of Mid-America. During the latter part of his life, he was an active member of the American Society on Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease International. He joined his wife in making many presentations on religion, spirituality and aging in the US and abroad. The family is comforted by the bright and hopeful words of the family’s pastor in his Easter morning sermon. He spoke of the “Easter posture” in which we lean, bright-eyed and heart forward, into the future. In the Christian tradition, “death is a comma, not a period; the worst thing is never the last thing.” We know that the ripples of Wayne Bell’s good life will live on for generations to come.

President Emeritus, 1981-1992

William O. Paulsell, former Dean and President of Lexington Theological Seminary, died April 14, 2024 at the age of 88 years. He was an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the author of eight books, including Taste and See: A Personal Guide to the Spiritual Life (Upper Room, 1976); Tough Minds, Tender Hearts: Six Prophets of Social Justice (Paulist, 1990); and, most recently, Longing for God: An Introduction to Christian Mysticism (Paulist, 2021).

Born in Miami, FL, in 1935, Paulsell grew up in Dallas, TX, and was a leader in the Disciples youth movement. As a student at Texas Christian University, he fell in love with Sally Atkins, a fellow Religion major. They married in 1957 and moved to Nashville, TN, where Paulsell completed his bachelor of divinity and his PhD in Church History at Vanderbilt University. He was part of a group of Vanderbilt students who visited the Trappist monk Thomas Merton at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky for conversations about the human longing for God. Those conversations significantly shaped Paulsell’s future life and research, and he maintained a relationship with the Abbey of Gethsemani throughout his life.

From 1962 to 1981, Paulsell served on the faculty of what was then called Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in Wilson, NC, in the department of Religion and Philosophy. He and his wife, Dr. Sally Paulsell, had two daughters, Stephanie and Diane. In 1981, the family moved to Lexington when Paulsell was called to serve as Dean of Lexington Theological Seminary. In 1987, he was appointed President of the seminary and served until 1992. After retiring from LTS, he served as Senior Minister of North Christian Church in Columbus, IN, for five years, after which he and Sally returned to Lexington. He continued to teach courses periodically at the Seminary.

Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was an important community in his life. He loved the people, the worship, and the music. He taught a course on Thomas Merton and other significant spiritual writers for over a decade at Central. He also served as minister of Twin Pines Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lexington while the senior minister was on sabbatical.

“Bill was a titan … his influence and shaping hands on the church and her ministers is simply off the charts,” said Rev. Cyd Cowgill, a Disciples minister who lives in Lexington.

Dr. Paulsell is survived by his wife; his daughters; his son-in-law, Kevin Madigan; and two grandchildren, Theo Block and Amanda Madigan.

Professor Emeritus of Theology, 1964-1997

Dr. William Richard Barr, 81, born 1934 in Enid, OK, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2016 in Palm Bay, FL. Bill taught 33 years as Professor of Theology at Lexington Theological Seminary (LTS) in Lexington, KY. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Oklahoma State in 1958 and Bachelor of Divinity from LTS in 1961. He earned a PhD in Theology from Yale in 1969. He became an ordained minister in 1961, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

After retiring Bill and wife Donna spent time in Sebring, FL before moving to Palm Bay in 2004. He volunteered at Daily Bread, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity and served as Board member of Protestant Campus Ministry at Florida Tech. He was active at First Christian Church Melbourne teaching Sunday School classes, serving as Elder and engaging in church activities and community outreach programs.

An avid model airplane enthusiast Bill enjoyed the hobby of building and flying free flight models. He participated in many competitions including the King Orange held annually in Palm Bay.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years Donna; son Greg; daughter Jennifer Morgan (husband Todd); grandsons Tyler and Carson; sisters Nancy Impastato (husband David) and Jane Thomas (husband Claude); sister-in-law Beatrix Barr; former sister-in-law Sandy Barr; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by infant daughter Suzanne Marie Barr, parents Robert Lincoln “Bob” Barr II and Lucile Will Barr, and brother Robert Lincoln “Bob” Barr III.

Professor Emeritus of the Practice of Ministry, 1968-1995

Loren Broadus, Professor Emeritus of Lexington Theological Seminary, died Saturday, August 25, 2018. Preceding him in death was his wife, Catherine Yonge Broadus. He is survived by three sons: Mark (Shannon) of St. Augustine, FL; Barry (Gina) of Lexington, KY; Philip (Lisa) of Tempe, AZ; and three grandchildren: Christian, James and Bailey. He is also survived by one brother, Andy (Linda) of Arlington, TX, and a number of nephews and other extended family. During his long ministry in the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Loren served as pastor and on both the staff and faculty of Lexington Theological Seminary.

Dean, Librarian, and Professor Emeritus of Theological Research, 1984-2004

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean Emerita

Director of the ATS-COA Self-Study

Professor of Constructive Theology

B.Sc., University of Puerto Rico, 1975
DVM, Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, 1979
M.Div., Andover Newton Theological School, 1990
M.Phil., Fordham University, 2000
Ph.D., Fordham University, 2005

The Rev. Dr. Loida I. Martell joined the faculty in August of 2017. Prior to that, she was Professor of Constructive Theology at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Martell is a licensed doctor in veterinary medicine as well as an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches/ USA. She is a bi-coastal Puerto Rican who has taught in various institutions of higher learning including Gordon Conwell’s Center for Urban Ministerial Education in Boston, and the University of Puerto Rico’s College of Allied Health Professionals. She pastored in New York City for 15 years, and served as President of the Board of American Baptist Churches/ Metro New York City from 1994–1996.

Dr. Martell pioneered the study of evángelica theology. She has published articles on evangélica soteriology, Christology, doctrine of God, eschatology, Scriptural hermeneutics, globalization, embodiment, and vocation. Her research on Taíno religious beliefs led to the publication of “My GPS Doesn’t Work in Puerto Rico,” on evangélica spirituality. She co-edited Teología en Conjunto: A Collaborative Hispanic Protestant Theology (1997), and more recently co-authored the well-received Latina Evangélicas: A Theological Survey from the Margins (2013).

Dr. Martell is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. As a member of the American Academy of Religion, she currently serves as President of La Comunidad of Hispanic Scholars of Religion. She was appointed to represent the American Baptist Churches/ USA on the National Council of Churches Convening Table for Theological Studies and Matters of Faith and Reason. The American Baptist Home Missions Societies awarded her the 2015 Richard Hoiland Christian Education Award, its highest recognition for “faithful and effective leadership in Christian education,” for her long-standing work in nurturing culturally and racially diverse classrooms and for exceptional leadership.

Dr. Martell is an avid amateur photographer.

Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Leadership, 2003-2012

Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Care and Counseling, 1979-2009

Professor Emerita of Educational Ministries, 1989-2012

Dean and Professor Emeritus of the Hebrew Bible, 2011-2017

The Rev. Dr. Richard D. Weis, 71, Dean and Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Bible at Lexington Theological Seminary, beloved husband and teacher; enthusiastic gardener, chef, baker, and North Shore hiker, died December 31, 2020 at home in Lexington, KY. Born in Lafayette, IN, he grew up in Cincinnati, OH. He earned an A.B. in Classical Studies from the University of Michigan and an M. Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Ordained by the United Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, he served three Presbyterian churches in Paterson, NJ as associate pastor, and Beaumont (CA) United Presbyterian Church as interim pastor. He subsequently received a Ph.D. in Religion from Claremont Graduate School. As a graduate student, he also served as Director of the Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center for Preservation and Research in Claremont, CA. He began his academic career as Assistant (and then Associate) Professor of Old Testament at New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NJ), where he eventually became Dean of the Seminary. Next he served United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (MN) as Dean and Professor of Old Testament Theology. He was awarded the D.D. honoris causa by United when he left to become Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, and Professor of Hebrew Bible, in Lexington.
Wherever he worked, he participated actively in the work of the local Presbytery, and served as guest preacher and teacher at many churches. He was a recognized Jeremiah scholar who wrote and edited for numerous scholarly books and journals. He was a member of various work groups (notably in feminist hermeneutics) of the Society for Biblical Literature. He dedicated thirty years to service on the international committee producing Biblica Hebraica, Editio quinta funditus renovata, a new edition of the entire Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) that takes account of evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls and other manuscripts unavailable during production of previous editions.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Verna (Kugler) Weis, brother Robert Weis, parents-in-law Asa L. and Dorothy (Woodbury) Rogers, sisters-in-law Joanne (Rogers) Samuda and Patricia (Rogers) Maimone, and many beloved cats. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Barbara Rogers, and their cat Pearl; brother and sister-in-law, William and Marta (Nielsen) Weis; sister-in-law Elizabeth Connor; nephews Mark Maimone (wife Mei King Cheung and daughter Selena Maimone), Jeffrey Weis, Kevin Weis, and Connor Weis; and by countless students and colleagues whose lives and careers he nurtured.

Dean, Librarian, and Professor Emeritus of Theological Research, 1984-2004

Registrar Emerita, 1964-1995

Ms. Ruth A. Kitchen, was born on August 5, 1929 in Frankfort, Kentucky and passed away on November 7, 2018 in Lexington KY. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated with a BA in English from Washington University. Ruth was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She played violin in the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra for two years. Ruth’s professional career began at the Christian Board of Publication in St. Louis where she worked as an editor for two years. She retired from the Lexington Theological Seminary as Registrar and Director of Admissions after 31 years of employment. The widow of Vance Kitchen, Ruth is survived by her two children Jean (Guy) Johnson of Minneapolis Minnesota and John A. (Piper) Graham of Versailles Kentucky; six grandchildren: Adel Johnson, Tess Johnson, Addie (Tom) Miner, Andrea Graham, Hampton Graham and Preston Graham; two brothers Harry Adams of Hamden Connecticut and John (Lorraine) Adams of Peabody Massachusetts. Ms. Kitchen was preceded in death by her beloved friend Andrew Mepham. Ruth was a member of Central Christian Church where she previously served as a Deacon.

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean Emerita

Director of the ATS-COA Self-Study

Professor of Constructive Theology

B.Sc., University of Puerto Rico, 1975
DVM, Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, 1979
M.Div., Andover Newton Theological School, 1990
M.Phil., Fordham University, 2000
Ph.D., Fordham University, 2005

The Rev. Dr. Loida I. Martell joined the faculty in August of 2017. Prior to that, she was Professor of Constructive Theology at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Martell is a licensed doctor in veterinary medicine as well as an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches/ USA. She is a bi-coastal Puerto Rican who has taught in various institutions of higher learning including Gordon Conwell’s Center for Urban Ministerial Education in Boston, and the University of Puerto Rico’s College of Allied Health Professionals. She pastored in New York City for 15 years, and served as President of the Board of American Baptist Churches/ Metro New York City from 1994–1996.

Dr. Martell pioneered the study of evángelica theology. She has published articles on evangélica soteriology, Christology, doctrine of God, eschatology, Scriptural hermeneutics, globalization, embodiment, and vocation. Her research on Taíno religious beliefs led to the publication of “My GPS Doesn’t Work in Puerto Rico,” on evangélica spirituality. She co-edited Teología en Conjunto: A Collaborative Hispanic Protestant Theology (1997), and more recently co-authored the well-received Latina Evangélicas: A Theological Survey from the Margins (2013).

Dr. Martell is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. As a member of the American Academy of Religion, she currently serves as President of La Comunidad of Hispanic Scholars of Religion. She was appointed to represent the American Baptist Churches/ USA on the National Council of Churches Convening Table for Theological Studies and Matters of Faith and Reason. The American Baptist Home Missions Societies awarded her the 2015 Richard Hoiland Christian Education Award, its highest recognition for “faithful and effective leadership in Christian education,” for her long-standing work in nurturing culturally and racially diverse classrooms and for exceptional leadership.

Dr. Martell is an avid amateur photographer.

Dean and Professor Emeritus of the Hebrew Bible, 2011-2017

The Rev. Dr. Richard D. Weis, 71, Dean and Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Bible at Lexington Theological Seminary, beloved husband and teacher; enthusiastic gardener, chef, baker, and North Shore hiker, died December 31, 2020 at home in Lexington, KY. Born in Lafayette, IN, he grew up in Cincinnati, OH. He earned an A.B. in Classical Studies from the University of Michigan and an M. Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Ordained by the United Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, he served three Presbyterian churches in Paterson, NJ as associate pastor, and Beaumont (CA) United Presbyterian Church as interim pastor. He subsequently received a Ph.D. in Religion from Claremont Graduate School. As a graduate student, he also served as Director of the Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center for Preservation and Research in Claremont, CA. He began his academic career as Assistant (and then Associate) Professor of Old Testament at New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NJ), where he eventually became Dean of the Seminary. Next he served United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (MN) as Dean and Professor of Old Testament Theology. He was awarded the D.D. honoris causa by United when he left to become Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, and Professor of Hebrew Bible, in Lexington.
Wherever he worked, he participated actively in the work of the local Presbytery, and served as guest preacher and teacher at many churches. He was a recognized Jeremiah scholar who wrote and edited for numerous scholarly books and journals. He was a member of various work groups (notably in feminist hermeneutics) of the Society for Biblical Literature. He dedicated thirty years to service on the international committee producing Biblica Hebraica, Editio quinta funditus renovata, a new edition of the entire Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) that takes account of evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls and other manuscripts unavailable during production of previous editions.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Verna (Kugler) Weis, brother Robert Weis, parents-in-law Asa L. and Dorothy (Woodbury) Rogers, sisters-in-law Joanne (Rogers) Samuda and Patricia (Rogers) Maimone, and many beloved cats. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Barbara Rogers, and their cat Pearl; brother and sister-in-law, William and Marta (Nielsen) Weis; sister-in-law Elizabeth Connor; nephews Mark Maimone (wife Mei King Cheung and daughter Selena Maimone), Jeffrey Weis, Kevin Weis, and Connor Weis; and by countless students and colleagues whose lives and careers he nurtured.