Dr. Walter S. Swetnam (April 1931 – July 1935)

The Reverend Doctor Walter S. Swetnam was born on October 22, 1900 in Blaine, Kentucky. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa); Columbia Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina (now located in Decatur, Georgia; Auburn Theological Seminary in Auburn, New York; and Hartford Theological Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut.

Dr. Swetnam married Katherine “Kit” Murrell of Oakland, Tennessee in 1932. After serving Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church as pastor from 1931 – 1935, the Swetnams answered the call to the mission field in 1935, moving to Brazil where Dr. Swetnam was Director of Colegio Quinze de Novembro in Garanhuns, Pernambuco; Mrs. Swetnam also taught music there. The family returned to the United States in 1949, after which Dr. Swetnam pastored churches in Amite, Louisiana; Citronelle, Alabama; and Rock Island, Tennessee. Dr. Swetnam also served as interim pastor on two separate occasions in Dalhart, Texas.

After his retirement, Dr. Swetnam wrote prolifically, penning numerous Bible studies. He also preached on every available occasion, preaching his final sermon at First Presbyterian Church of Athens, Pennsylvania at the age of 97.

Dr. and Mrs. Swetnam had five children – – including Walter H. Swetnam, also a Presbyterian minister; one of the five died in infancy,and is buried in Recife, Brazil. They also have 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (as of August 2008).