PITTSBURGH SEMINARY REMEMBERS EMERITUS BOARD MEMBER THE REV. DR. MYLES MACDONALD
PTS mourns the passing of the Rev. Dr. Myles W. MacDonald ’55, emeritus member of the Board of Directors of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, who died Nov. 3, 2024, at the age of 97. MacDonald served on the PTS Board of Directors from 1972 to 1991, was chair of the Nominations Committee during his third term, and was named director emeritus in 1997. He also earned the Seminary’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in Pastoral Ministry in 2009.
A native of Quincy, Mass., MacDonald pastored congregations for more than 35 years, including First United Presbyterian Church, Wilkinsburg, Pa. (six years); Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church (22 years); and First Presbyterian Church (Port Charlotte, Fla., eight years). Upon his retirement, he was named pastor emeritus of the Port Charlotte Church, and in retirement, he served as interim pastor of Wintergarden Presbyterian Church (Murdock, Fla.) and frequently supplied area pulpits. During his pastorate at Mt. Lebanon UPC, MacDonald made a round-the-world mission tour, visiting Presbyterian mission stations and preaching in churches in Egypt, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Thailand, and South Korea. While he was pastor there, the church contributed more than $2.5 million to missions, saw 28 young people enter church vocations, and initiated construction of the Twin Tower Apartments for senior citizens.
MacDonald held a doctor of divinity from Westminster College, a doctor of laws from Grove City College, and additional degrees from Gordon College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. During his seminary years, he was the recipient of a James Purdy Scholarship, the Robert A. Lee Church History Prize, and the Thomas Jamison Scholarship, graduating cum laude in 1955. Following seminary, he did a year of post-graduate study at New College, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and had the opportunity to preach in numerous parishes in the Church of Scotland. He traveled extensively in Europe, participating in a European Reformation Seminar, and has made several visits to Great Britain, studying the history of Christianity in England, Scotland, and Wales.
As a member of the Seminary’s Board of Directors, MacDonald served on the search committee that called the Rev. Dr. Carnegie Samuel Calian as the Seminary’s fourth president. He also served on numerous committees in Pittsburgh and Peace River Presbyteries, and was elected moderator of Pittsburgh Presbytery in 1972.
MacDonald was preceded in death by Betty Hopkins MacDonald, his spouse of 43 years, and their son, Todd MacDonald. He is survived by this sons Stephen and Scott; two daughters: Nona Cortese, and Brenda Keene; and numerous grand- and great-grandchildren.
“Dr. MacDonald invested himself in the Seminary’s future at an important time in its history,” said Rev. Dr. Asa Lee, president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. “His service to the community will not be forgotten, and we remember him with gratitude today.”