John Stippich

In memory of
John Stippich
1961-1991

John was the youngest person ever to serve on the session at Roanoke Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Missouri.  After John had moved to another city, that same session, at the instigation of a new pastor, took a formal position against the ordination of gays.

This is is one of twelve stoles donated by Merrill Proudfoot in honor of friends and colleagues.  John and Merrill both attended Roanoke Presbyterian Church.  John was an Elder at Roanoke until he moved away.  He met an untimely death at the age of 30.

As is suggested in the story, Roanoke was for many years very supportive of LGBT folk and counted many among their members and leadership.  This changed rapidly when a new, conservative pastor arrived and aggressively initiated a number of actions that created an openly hostile environment for the LGBT members who were still active in the church.  All of them, including Merrill, soon left.  Roanoke was located in the heart of a young, progressive, gay-friendly neighborhood in Kansas City, and was just down the road from the Kansas City campus of the University of Kansas.  Sadly, this church, which once had a bright future with the opportunity to be in mission to a large unchurched population, soon gained a decidedly negative reputation in the area.  The church is now closed.

Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006