In Memory of Rev. Dr. Paul S. Johnson (May 4, 1944 − April 22, 2026) 

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Dr. Paul S. Johnson, who died on April 22, 2026, at the age of 82.

Paul was born on May 4, 1944, in Walker, MN, to Andrew E. Johnson and Phyllis J. Johnson. The oldest of six siblings, he grew up in a family deeply rooted in religious life. His father was an ordained minister in a conservative Swedish religious tradition and served in a variety of pastorates. Paul began grammar school in Ludington, MI, and received most of his primary and secondary education in Kenosha, WI. Throughout his school years, he was actively involved in extracurricular activities. The church was at the center of Paul’s life during his first eighteen years. He participated in Sunday school, youth fellowship, church camp, and choir and was profoundly shaped by the experience of church as a caring community- one that recognized life’s joys and sorrows, gave meaning to important life passages, and provided a center around which life could be organized. From an early age, he considered ministry a possible vocation.

In 1966, Paul received his Bachelor of Arts in history from Trinity College, IL. Through his coursework and his own reading, he began exploring many areas of religious thought. Although he had always enjoyed the full range of church activities and felt grounded in his fundamentalist heritage, his college years became a period of intellectual and spiritual exploration. During this time, he sought to reconcile the conservative fundamentalist Christianity that he had inherited with new ideas and perspectives that challenged the understanding of his faith.

From 1969 to 1973, he worked full-time as an Assistant Coordinator of Student Activities at the University of Minnesota Duluth. During his time in Duluth, he was introduced to Unitarian Universalism and visited Unity Church Unitarian Unviersalist in St. Paul on several occasions. As he learned more about the Unitarian Universalist religious perspective, with its tradition of freedom, reason, and tolerance, he found it more compelling. He began to envision pursuing ministry within this faith tradition and enrolled at Meadville Lombard Theological School, IL. In 1975, Paul graduated with a Master of Arts in Religious Studies and a Doctor of Ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Johnson was ordained on May 16, 1976, by the Nora Church, Unitarian Universalist, Hanska, MN, where he served until 1981. From 1981 to 1983, he was an extension minister at the Accotink UU Church, Burke, VA. In 1981, he was also called to the UU Church of Silver Spring, MD, where he served as a settled minister until 1991.  Subsequently, he served the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, NJ (1991–2000). His tenure there was marked by significant growth, both in membership and religious education enrollment. Sunday services expanded to two each Sunday, the adult education program flourished, and the congregation completed major building improvements, including the addition of accessibility features and air conditioning. In addition, social programs flourished, with members engaging in several projects in partnership with community social service agencies.

In 2002, the Rev. Dr. Johnson accepted a call from the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset, NY, where he served as a senior minister until 2016. At Shelter Rock, he provided thoughtful and visionary leadership, helping the congregation deepen its spiritual life, expand outreach, and live more fully in the Unitarian Universalist values. He supported initiatives that enriched worship and spiritual exploration and encouraged the congregation’s engagement in social justice efforts, including affordable housing advocacy, Habitat for Humanity projects, literacy efforts, and support for veterans, etc. In recognition of his dedicated ministry, the Shelter Rock congregation honored him as minister emerit in 2016. After that, the Rev. Dr. Johnson continued his ministry as a developmental minister at the Treasure Coast UU Society, Stuart, FL (2016–2020), and as a contract minister at the UU Church of Jacksonville, FL (2020–2021) and the UU Church of Brevard, West Melbourne, FL (2021–2024).

The Rev. Dr. Johnson helped nurture welcoming and engaged religious communities and a commitment to putting faith into action. Furthermore, he took on significant denominational responsibilities within the wider UU movement. His denominational service included serving as president of the Unitarian Universalist Mid-Atlantic Community (1985–1987); a member of the Unitarian Universalist Housing Foundation Advisory Board (1985–1991); president of the Meadville Lombard Alumni Association (1991–1995); president of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association (UUMA) (1995–1998); a member of the UUA Board of Review and of the UUMA Berry Street Conference Committee (2007).

Beyond his denominational commitment, Paul was actively engaged in community service and interfaith leadership. He served as a member of the Human Rights Advisory Committee at Great Oaks Center in Silver Spring, Maryland; as an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau of Washington, D.C. (1987–1989); and as a member of the Institutional Review Board, National Cancer Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD (1988–1991). He also served as president of the Princeton Clergy Association (1992–1993).

In his leisure time, Paul enjoyed film, travel, music (listening and performing), racquet sports (tennis, table tennis, and racquetball), and swimming.

Paul is survived by his wife, Carol Rowan; his children, Kristin Johnson (Marc Rosen) and David Johnson (Courtney Guthridge); and his granddaughter, Rowan L. Johnson. He is also survived by his brothers, Timothy Johnson (Mary Ostazeski-Johnson) and Thomas Johnson, and his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Rowan Boyum. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Andrew E Johnson and Phyllis Johnson; his brothers, Philip Johnson and Daniel Johnson; his wife’s parents, James P Rowan and Julia J Rowan; his wife’s brother, James P Rowan Jr; and his wife’s brother-in-law, Paul A Boyum.

A memorial service is being planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meadville Lombard Theological School, 180 N Wabash Ave #700, Chicago, IL 60601. Notes of condolence may be sent to Carol Rowan at 1537 NE Cedar St, Unit 142, Jensen Beach, FL 34957.