Morton, James Parks

The Very Rev. James Parks Morton (1930-2020, age 90). Dean Morton was an American Episcopal priest and founder of the Interfaith Center of New York (the “God Box” adjacent Riverside Cathedral and in proximity to New York Theological Institute and the campus of Columbia University.

Morton was dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for 25 years (1972–96), overlapping with the Rt. Rev. Bishop Paul Moore. During his tenure at the cathedral, he started many new projects and initiatives, including the “Green Cathedral Initiative,” and inviting artists in residence such as Paul Winter, Philippe Petit & I Giuliari di Piazza.

Morton spoke about his personal relationship with the “Green Movement” in the film The 11th Hour. In 1996, the National Audubon Society awarded him its highest honor, the Audubon Medal. He was a contributor to Seven Pillars House of Wisdom.

In 2017, Dean Morton received World Peace Through Compassion Award from the Tibet Fund, the Gaia Foundation, and the J. Luce Foundation on the occasion of the 86th Birthday Celebration of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The New York celebration, one of a dozen held around the world, took place at Essex House on Central Park.

Morton worked with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf during the Park51 scandal following September 11, 2001.