ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 23, 1996 TAG: 9602230060
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
SOURCE: JOHN GRIESSMAYER
Dr. Aaron Hayden Hollingsworth Jr., former minister of Roanoke's Second Presbyterian Church, died Thursday after a long and distinguished career.
"Dr. Holly," as he was affectionately known, served as pastor of the church for 26 years. During his tenure, Hollingsworth served on the boards of several Presbyterian agencies and encouraged his congregation to support mission work.
He also oversaw the construction of a chapel, a dining and fellowship hall and a $1 million educational building that now bears his name.
In 1954, Hollingsworth delivered the sermon at an Easter sunrise service at Natural Bridge that was attended by about 20,000 worshippers and broadcast on CBS national radio.
"He was a man of great dignity," said the Rev. Dr. William R. Klein, Hollingsworth's successor. "He had such a deep sense of compassion, and there are many, many people who dearly love him."
Hollingsworth, originally from Atlanta, became the fifth pastor of Second Presbyterian Church on Easter Sunday 1942, after serving churches in Georgetown, Ky., and Farmville. While pastor, he received a doctorate in theology from the Union Theological Seminary in Richmond and also served as president of the Roanoke Ministers Conference.
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