Biography -- The Rev'd Kenneth H. Saunders III

On May 1, 2011, the Rev. Kenneth H. Saunders III (“Ken”) became the 7th rector to serve Trinity Church. He came to Trinity after serving Christ Church in Cleveland, NC as rector since July of 2007. Ken earned his Master of Divinity Degree at The University of the South; School of Theology in Sewanee, TN and also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management (Magna cum laude) from The University of North Carolina at Asheville.

Ken is a “cradle” Episcopalian with a diverse background. He was born and raised in the Tidewater area of Virginia and graduated from Frederick Military Academy in Portsmouth, VA. He also spent 3 years as a cadet at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. After leaving the Citadel, he trained as a nuclear technician (health physics & radiological controls) and worked for Westinghouse under a joint Department of Energy/Department of Defense contract. When he left Westinghouse, he traveled the southeast (and mid-west) as a custom builder, mostly restructuring and setting up residential construction businesses for various corporate and private owners.

During his travels as a lay person, Ken served the church in several capacities as cantor, choir member, musician, lector, Eucharistic minister, acolyte trainer, teacher, youth group leader, vestry and finance committee member, and sacristan. While in Western North Carolina, Ken finally answered the call from God to the ordained ministry of the Episcopal Church that he had been struggling with most of his adult life.

Ken is married to Kelly Saunders and they have three children, Kent, Kyle, and Kaytlynn. Kelly is a Development Assistant for CurePSP, a non-profit organization based in Timonium, MD. The oldest son, Kent, is married, and he and his wife, Amy lives in Ohio. Kyle is currently attending college in NC. Kaytlynn attends Towson University.