Former Senior Minister of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City Passes away at Age 79
The entire Marble Collegiate Church community mourns the passing of Dr. Arthur Caliandro. Dr. Caliandro served as Senior Minister of the prominent church from 1984 to 2009. He passed away peacefully on December 30, 2012.
In the fall of 1984, Dr. Caliandro succeeded Dr. Norman Vincent Peale as Senior Minister of Marble Collegiate Church and was formally installed on March 8, 1985. During his time at Marble, he created many innovative initiatives including bringing women into the ministry, founding an interfaith partnership of Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, and starting a program ministry to serve the LGBT community. A dynamic music ministry flourished, and a speaker series featuring renowned public figures drew audiences that might not otherwise enter a church. Through Dr. Caliandro’s leadership, Marble supported a number of progressive outreach and service organizations. The annual Easter Offering helped build a church in Budapest and funded a college education for a grade school class in Harlem.
Dr. Caliandro had an uncanny ability to listen intently, not only as a pastor attending the needs of an individual, but with a common-sense approach to problem-solving solutions for the greater community. And, as such, he became known as “the people’s minister.” During his tenure at Marble many well-known figures shared their personal experiences including Michael J. Fox, Brian Williams, Lesley Stahl and Peter Jennings.
“Arthur was a precious gift to the people of Marble and to people all over the world and will be sorely missed,” says Dr. Michael Brown, Senior Minister, Marble Collegiate Church.
He is survived by his wife Sandra Graham Caliandro, his son Paul and his grandchildren Christopher, Nicholas, Isabella, Nils and Claudia. His son Charles predeceased him.
ABOUT MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH
Marble Church’s roots reach back almost 400 years, yet the congregation continues to grow and thrive in progressive and innovative ways. Under the leadership of Dr. Michael B. Brown, Marble provides dynamic, positive spiritual direction to a diverse and embracing congregation in the heart of New York City and to the world via its media ministry. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, one of the greatest religious figures of the 20th century, led Marble Church for 52 years and wrote “The Power of Positive Thinking” while at Marble. www.marblechurch.org
