Epworth United Methodist Church | 5253 N. Kenmore Ave Chicago, IL 60640 | 773-561-6422

History -- Blair Sumner Latshaw

Clergyman Plans to Retire After 48 Years in Pulpit

Nearly half a century in the ministry. Many of them in Chicago area churches, will come to a close for the Rev. Blair Sumner Latshaw, pastor of Epworth Methodist church, 5253 Kenmore av., before the end of summer. Dr. Latshaw, 72, also has been pastor of churches in la Grange and Elgin. He plans his retirement to coincide with the end of the River Rock conference the first week in July. In thinking back over the years, Dr. Latshaw recalled that in his youth he could not decide between a teaching career and one in the ministry.

Never Any Regrets
"As I had been taught by my minister father, I put the matter up to the Lord," he said, "and the church won. I never had an hour of regret and if I had to make the decision again my decision would be the same."

The minister and his wife, Delia, plan to devote their spare time to their hobbies. His is Abraham Lincoln, and he is justly proud of a collection of 160 books on the Civil War President. Mrs. Latshaw has the collection and repair of clocks for a hobby. For making repairs Mrs. Latshaw has a bench and her own set of power and hand tools. She has more than 200 clocks from all over the world.

Dr. Latshaw was educated at Dickinson college in Pennsylvania, and received his degree in theology from Drew university, in Madison, N. J. 48 years ago. He preached his first sermon, experimentally, before he received his degree and at the same time taught German and psychology at an eastern preparatory school.

Ministry A challenge
From 1935 to 1940, the Rev. Mr. Latshaw was superintendent of Chicago Southern district of the Methodist church. His interest in interdenomination church work was spurred by his directorship in the Church Federation of Greater Chicago, a work he has carried on for many years.

"The ministry today presents a challenge greater than ever before," he said. "The field for younger men is a big one and there is a shortage of pastors. It is the most rewarding work I know." Dr. and Mrs. Latshaw are the parents of three grown children. One, a daughter, is married to a Methodist minister, Rev. Edward Kenworthy, of Congress Park, and two sons [rest missing].

Undated newspaper clipping

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