# Nelson Harris

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nelson_Harris
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nelson_Harris.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Harris
> Source revision: 1329973915
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Nelson Harris** is Baptist minister and a former [mayor](/source/Mayor) of [Roanoke, Virginia](/source/Roanoke,_Virginia), having served from 2004 to 2008.[1] A [Democrat](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)), he was elected mayor in 2004 with 37% of the vote in a competitive four-way race against [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) Alice Hincker, Independent Delvis "Mac" McCadden, and Independent George A. Sgouros. Harris had previously served on the [school board](/source/School_board) and [city council](/source/City_council).[2]

## Biography

Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from [Radford University](/source/Radford_University) and a Master of Divinity degree from [Southeastern Theological Seminary](/source/Southeastern_Theological_Seminary). Harris has done post-graduate work at [Princeton Theological Seminary](/source/Princeton_Theological_Seminary) and [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University). He teaches religion and philosophy at [Virginia Western Community College](/source/Virginia_Western_Community_College) in Roanoke; and is currently the pastor of Heights Community Church in Roanoke (formerly Virginia Heights Baptist).[3] Harris has also written or compiled several books about the history of Roanoke and the surrounding area. His books include the following titles: Aviation in Roanoke, Downtown Roanoke, Virginia Tech, The Norfolk & Western Railway, Hidden History of Roanoke, Stations and Depots of the Norfolk & Western Railway, Salem and Roanoke County in Vintage Postcards, Roanoke in Vintage Postcards, The Seventeenth Virginia Cavalry, and Greater Raleigh Court: A History of Virginia Heights, Norwich, Raleigh Court and Wasena. Harris has been published in the following periodicals and magazines: The Roanoker, Virginia Southwest, The Student, Log Home Living, Country Collectibles, and Historic Salem.

In 2003, Harris was named a Marshall Memorial Fellow by the German Marshall Fund, allowing for study and travel in Europe. In 2006, Princeton Seminary named him a Pastoral Fellow for his study in pastoral theology. In 2005, Harris was awarded the Outstanding Alumnus Award from Radford University. He later served Radford University as a member of its Board of Visitors from 2006 through 2010, having received a gubernatorial appointment to the board.

In Roanoke's May 2, 2006, municipal elections, Harris and then vice mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick backed a successful slate of three Democrats, running on an [independent](/source/Independent_(politician)) ticket dubbed "For the City" against the nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties. The election ended the city's long running debate about the fate of [Victory Stadium](/source/Victory_Stadium) in favor of Harris' preference to replacing it with separate stadiums at Roanoke's two [high schools](/source/High_schools). The local Democratic party considered sanctions against Harris for supporting the independent ticket but differences were smoothed out by 2008. Harris ran for re-election in the May 2008 municipal election but lost to former mayor and fellow Democrat [David A. Bowers](/source/David_A._Bowers) who ran as an Independent; two other Independents were also in the race: Anita Powell, and George A. Sgouros.

## References

1. Mason Adams and David Harrison (May 7, 2008). ["Bowers re-emerges; Harris will bow out"](http://www.roanoke.com/webmin/news/bowers-re-emerges-harris-will-bow-out/article_0151d256-efb3-557d-9164-a88811ca6b6a.html). *[The Roanoke Times](/source/The_Roanoke_Times)*. Retrieved March 14, 2017.

1. Macy, Beth (November 23, 2004). ["Q&A with Nelson Harris"](http://www.roanoke.com/webmin/features/q-a-with-nelson-harris/article_2c98adbe-67fa-5673-beb7-872d2761baf9.html). *[The Roanoke Times](/source/The_Roanoke_Times)*. Retrieved March 14, 2017.

1. Forman, Carmen. "From a YMCA pool to a movie theater, nontraditional congregations grow in Roanoke Valley." *Roanoke Times, The (VA)*, February 5, 2017: A1.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nelson Harris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Harris) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Harris?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.