Early Life and Education

Les is a native of the Wallaceburg, Ontario, area. His university studies include a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western University (Waterloo College) completed in 1960. He took his theological studies for the Bachelor of Divinity degree at Knox College, University of Toronto (graduated in 1963). He holds a Master's degree in systematic theology from Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia (1964) and a Ph. D. in theological and ecumenical studies from the University of Ottawa (1973).

Ministry and Pastoral Leadership

Dr. Files was ordained to the Christian ministry in 1964 and served in the Presbyterian Church in Canada from Tune of that year in New London Charge, Prince Edward Island. He and his family were commissioned to Parkwood Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, in 1967. From there he was called to St Andrew's Church, Calgary, in 1975. He was then called to be senior pastor of New St James Presbyterian Church, London, in 1978 and served in that capacity until his retirement in June of 2001. Les served as moderator of presbytery on several occasions and was elected moderator of the Synod of Southwestern Ontario in 1985. Beginning in Calgary, Les was designated an Evangelist-at-Large with the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Family Background

Mrs. Files, Winifred, is the daughter of the late Rev. Fred C. and Margaret Knox, missionary parents who served in overseas ministries with the Presbyterian Church in India from 1938 until their return to Canada in 1968. (After retirement in 1972, from Cornerbrook, Nfld, the Knoxes became active members of Parkwood Presbyterian Church in Ottawa).

Les and Winn have four children: Yvonne (Hodgins) of Toronto; Colleen (Thody) of Delaware; Stephen Files of Bracebridge and David Files of Batavia, Ill. Their children are all married and they have 7 grandchildren.

Community Involvement

Les became a member of Forest City Kiwanis in 1989 and served as President during the 1999/2000 year. His articles on religion in society appeared from time to time in the London Free Press.

Personal Interests

Personal interests and hobbies are: sports, travel (personal and group travel), art, sailing in the summer and curling in winter, and politics (from afar). With regret, the Files gave up their sailing life in the North Channel of Georgian Bay in the summer of 2008 after 20 years in their beloved Winscoop. Meanwhile, Winn and Les have enjoyed a number of exciting group tours in various parts of the world. They have been square dancers with the Castle Club in London for many years as well.