Robert H. Meneilly

Robert H. Meneilly (March 5, 1925 – July 20, 2021), known as Dr. Bob, was an American Presbyterian pastor who founded the megachurch Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas.

Early life Meneilly started preaching when he was about 13. Meneilly earned his Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary at age 22. The Presbyterian Board of Missions, seeing the Prairie Village area as one of the fastest-growing regions in the country without a United Presbyterian denomination, invested a $100,000 to construct a parsonage and a church. The church would also be experimental in that it would be a community church for all denominations. Meneilly began going door-to-door, calling on prospective members, not knowing their religious backgrounds. As a result, Presbyterians were likely not in the majority in the initial charter of 282 members. and was the PC(USA)’s second-largest congregation during his tenure. During the height of the nation's civil rights movement in the mid-1960s, Meneilly delivered several sermons encouraging members of his suburban congregation to welcome their Black neighbors.

Vietnam War In the early 1970s, Meneilly became a vocal critic of the Vietnam War. which denounced what he called the stealth campaigns of the religious right, was reprinted in condensed form in The New York Times and other publications. which is dedicated to "creating a more representative and responsive government by empowering informed participation and meaningful action in the political process," according to the coalition's website.

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary In addition to earning his Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, He was a director emeritus of the Seminary until his death.

Later life On December 4, 1994, Meneilly gave his final sermon before retiring.

In retirement, Meneilly remained active in civic affairs, including serving on various boards.

Awards

In 1972, Meneilly received the Citizen of the Year award from the United Community Services of Johnson County (Kansas).

In 1987, Meneilly received the Johnson Countian of the Year award.

In 1995, Meneilly received the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor award.

In 2001, Meneilly received the Stand Up, Speak Out award from the Mainstream Coalition.

Publications In 1996, Meneilly authored the book Pray As You Go: On Living Your Faith in the Nineties, which is a spiritual guide for living a full life.