Richard Thewlis

The Rev. Richard K. Thewlis and his wife Jill joined the Lakeside community late in June 2024 after being appointed to serve the Lakeside UMC. 

Rich grew up in rural Medina County in a blue-collar family.  He worked hard, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout while in 9th grade.  The first in his family to ever attend college, he worked himself through 14 years of college (Baldwin-Wallace), seminary (MTSO), and graduate school (U. of Iowa and the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies, now at CWRU) earning a BA, an M. Div, and an MA in Judaic Studies, all with honors.  Rich was ordained within the United Church of Christ in 1987, serving until 1997 when he returned to the church of his youth, the United Methodist Church. Rich has served full-time pastorates since 1986.  He also served 17 years as an adjunct professor of Religion at Baldwin-Wallace, Malone College, and Hiram College. 

Rich is an avid rock guitarist who still loves playing, hopefully with a new band here at Lakeside.  Rich’s wife Jill is a retired LPCC MA counselor who graduated from Baldwin-Wallace and Ohio State University.  She worked in mental health agencies for 38 years before retiring in November of 2023.  Their children are David and Sarah, both married and working in the Cleveland area.  They were recently blessed with a first grand-son named Noah. 

Rich and Jill feel honored and blessed to have joined the Lakeside Community, and they look forward to many years here.

email: revrich@lakesideohumc.com