Richard Nelson Bolles 1958-1966

Rector of St. John’s from 1958-1966, Father Bolles was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 19, 1927.  He graduated from Harvard University in 1950 with a BA and from The General Theological Seminary in 1953 where he was a Fellow and Tutor from 1953-1955.  In 1957 he received his STM also from General and in 1964 was a Fellow at the College of Preachers in Washington, DC.  He was awarded a DLitt by John F. Kennedy University, Martinez, California as well as degrees from several other institutions.  He was ordained a deacon in June of 1953 and priest in December 1953 by Bishop Benjamin M. Washburn. Father Bolles served as vicar of the Church of the Redeemer, Palisades Park, New Jersey, and St. James Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey (1955-1958).

He came to Saint John’s Church in 1958 just in time to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the founding of our parish.  In 1963 Father Bolles oversaw the transfer of members of the closed Saint Andrew’s Mission into Saint John’s, thus making our parish an integrated one.

Upon leaving St. John’s in 1966, Father Bolles became Canon Pastor at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, California from 1966-1968.  He went on to become Executive Secretary of the Ministry in Higher Education for Province VIII of the Episcopal Church.  While in that position, he also served as Secretary for the Western Region of the United Ministries for Education.  From 1974-1987 he was Project Director of The National Career Development Project.  He is the author of a book frequently listed in The New York Times’ Best Seller List, What Color is Your Parachute.  Other books by Father Bolles are: Where Do I Go From Here With My Life?, The Three Boxes of Life and How to Find Your Mission In Life.  Father Bolles is widely recognized as the leading authority in the field of career development and job changing.