In Memory of Jan V. Knost (November 19, 1934 – August 22, 2021)
Rev. Jan V. Knost died on August 22, 2021, at the age of 86.
Jan was born on November 19, 1934, in Pasadena, CA to UU minister Reverend Richard William Knost and Rosalie (Quigley) Knost. Jan was influenced by
his father and grew to know ministry as a way of life. In 1956, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and English Literature from St. Lawrence University, NY following which he received his Bachelor of Divinity from St. Lawrence Theological School (1959). From there, he pursued further theological and graduate studies at Harris Manchester College at Oxford University, as well as Boston and Brown Universities.
Rev. Knost was ordained on January 24, 1960, by the First Universalist Church, Providence, RI where he served his first ministry (1959-1963). He then accepted a call from the First Universalist Church of North Attleboro, MA (now Murray UU Church). He served the North Attleboro congregation (1963-1968) where his work with parents, youths and leadership was invigorating. In 1968, he was called to the First Church and Parish in Dedham, MA (1968-1979), where he enjoyed years of fruitful and creative ministry. The congregation encouraged him to run for a contested position as Trustee to the UUA Board of Trustees from the Mass Bay District (67 churches). He won election and served a four-year term. During that same time, he served the Ministerial Fellowship Committee. He also worked with the Continental Committee that was responsible for raising funds for the UUA’s annual budget.
From 1979 to 1985, Rev. Knost ministered at the Beacon UU Congregation in Summit, NJ. After Beacon, he served the First UU Church of San Antonio, TX (1985-1990), and then the Emerson UU Church of Houston, TX (1990- 1997). On March 31st, 1997, he retired from active ministry and thereafter pursued interim ministries supporting the established work of the congregations he served.
In 1997, Rev. Knost accepted his first interim position with the UUs of Clearwater, FL. He provided pastoral healing, helped church attendance go up, and most importantly, there was a marked cheerfulness in the church. Afterward, he served the UU Congregation of Santa Fe, NM (1999-2000), where he worked on a new system of governance that made communication better and assisted in heightening the level of volunteerism. He began a process of creating an appreciation of the church’s history and worked closely with the worship, R.E., and caring committees energizing the church. Subsequently, he was interim minister at the First Parish of Norwell, MA (2000-2002). He helped the worship committee broaden congregation input into the worship experience, facilitated conversation and planning for a major social justice/community involvement project, and initiated programs to address declining membership.
Rev. Knost served as a half time interim minister at the UU Congregation of South County (UUCSC), Peace Dale, RI. At UUCSC, he worked with the stewardship committee on increasing their effectiveness to raise funds, encouraged the membership committee to reorganize and reallocate their membership, and helped the Lay Pastoral Care team grow to meet the needs of the congregation.
Rev. Knost’s denominational affiliation included serving the Universalist Youth Fellowship (UVF) as Vice-President for Illinois (1951). He also provided his services to the Liberal Religious Youth Continental Committee (1954). He was assistant Dean of the Ferry Beach Family Life Institute. Furthermore, he served the Universalist Church of Rhode Island under various positions: as a member of the Executive Board (1959-1963), as Chairman of the Nominating Committee (1960), and as Chairman of the Association of Universalist Men (1961). He also served as Secretary of the Ballou Channing District Minister’s Association (1964). In addition to his ministerial career, he served as Chaplain and Member of the Lodge of St. Andrew in Boston, MA since 1972.
Jan also devoted much of his life to social justice work. Marching for racial equality was as important to him, as fighting for world peace and nuclear disarmament. He had active community involvements and was a member of various community boards including Family Life, Planned Parenthood, and Committee to the Stop War in Vietnam. Likewise, he was a member of The Fraters of the Wayside Inn, the Prairie Group Conference, Harper’s Ferry Conference, and the Greenfield group.
Jan served as a counselor, preacher, administrator, and as a teacher, striving among the people he served to learn more of the great truth of the universe, of god, and of man. In his spare time, he enjoyed gourmet cooking, gardening, and travel. His avocations were fishing, golf, poetry, classical music, and his grandchildren. He was the author of several books and poetry including “Vertical Thoughts & Horizontal Comments” and “The Invisible Sun“.
Jan is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lorna Ruth; his son, Keith William Knost; his daughter, Kristan Beth Knost McCarthy and her husband Mike; his daughter, Jana Marcy Knost Battiloro and her husband Chris; and his daughter, Amy Kathryn Knost Connor and her husband Patrick Jr.; as well as his nine grandchildren: Anna Brielle Butler, Jonah Nathaniel Butler, Jensen Cole Butler, Katherine Jan McCarthy, Linnea Faith Battiloro, Christopher Zachary Battiloro, Meghan Elizabeth Battiloro, Haley Bridget Connor, and Patrick Michael Connor III. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Peter Noel Knost.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a cause in Jan’s name that will contribute to the greater good of humanity.