Our Vicar
Gurdon Brewster, born in 1937, has pursued a double calling during his life: that of being both a university chaplain and a sculptor.
After attending Haverford College he continued his studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York. While at seminary, in 1961, he was invited by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to be an assistant minister during the summer, at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. While there he lived with Martin Luther King Sr. and worked in the church with its youth group and youth groups from around the city. He returned again in 1966 as an assistant for the summer with his wife, Martha, and two daughters. He has written about his experiences in a memoir published in 2007 entitled, No Turning Back.
After graduating from seminary in 1962, he and his wife went to Madras, India, for two years on an experimental church program. While at Madras Christian College, he taught American history, directed a program for students to work as volunteers in surrounding villages and he developed an art department for the college.
Upon returning from India, he began his work as the Episcopal Chaplain at Cornell University, where he stayed for 35 years. During those years he sponsored 35 people for ordination. He also succeeded in raising an endowment that will permanently support the chaplaincy for the future.
Gurdon continued his sculpture, an interest that began in high school and has remained a driving force in his life ever since. While attending Union Theological Seminary, he studied with various teachers and institutions, including the Art Students’ League where he worked briefly with Jose de Creeft. In the 1970’s and 80’s he created a series of sculptures inspired by his experience in India. More recently, he has focused on work the inspiration for which comes from his spiritual life and his concern for justice and compassion. His works can be viewed on his website: www.gurdonbrewster.com
In 1999 he retired from Cornell as University Chaplain, Emeritus. This gave him the opportunity to focus on his sculpture. In 2004 he became part-time rector here at the Church of the Epiphany where his intelligence, understanding, and compassionate nature continues to inspire and enrich the spiritual life of the congregation.
He is married to Martha, and together they have four children and seven grandchildren. Martha has recently retired as a marriage and family therapist and a long time teacher. They live in Newfield, New York.