Rev. Harry A. Ledgard
The Rev. Harry A. Ledgard, a retired Elder, died Dec. 27, 2017. A service to celebrate his life was held Jan. 5, at Glen Mar UMC with the Rev. Rod Miller officiating. District Superintendent Conrad Link participated.
Harry A. Ledgard was born Nov. 17, 1935, to the late Clarence and Margaret Ledgard in McKeesport, Pa. He was a history buff in his early years and wrote several local area histories. He was a graduate of Dickinson University and received his M.Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary.
Ledgard and Pauline “Polly” Louise Harrison met while both were counselors at Camp Manidokan. They married soon after and had a marriage of 34 years until her death in 1999.
Ledgard began serving churches in 1958 in the Central Pennsylvania Conference. He transferred to Baltimore-Washington Conference in 1963 and was appointed to Winfield. From 1967-1969, he served Lodge Forest UMC, then Emmanuel UMC in Scaggsville. After a year’s sabbatical in 1975, he was appointed to First UMC in Brunswick, then in 1982 to Walkersville UMC. Walkersville was his “most notable” appointment and both he and his wife are buried there. A mid-year transfer took him to St. Andrews of Annapolis for a few months then in 1989 to Arden, W. Va. In 1994, he moved to Havre de Grace UMC, but went on disability leave in December 1995. He retired in 1998.
His professional life focused on the study and understanding of the true meaning of biblical scripture. During his years in the pulpit, he made several journeys to the Holy Land to further his education and understanding of the life of Jesus Christ. He worked to support racial & social justice causes throughout his life as he stood for inclusiveness, unity and respect for all.
Survivors include his daughter Christina Ledgard, son Philip Ledgard and his wife Nikki, and three grandchildren.