Timothy Lovejoy, Jr.

Reverend Timothy Lovejoy is the priest who runs the First Church of Springfield. Quite religious yet not quite as much as Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy is seen giving sermons every Sunday to the inhagitants of Springfield. He practices the Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism, and has a particular dislike of Catholics.

Lovejoy first came to Springfield full of idealism in the seventies, but became cynical and disillusioned about his flock and ministry, quite in contrast to parishoner Ned Flanders. Lovejoy eventually became very annoyed with Flanders, who came to him because of issues such as coveting his own wife.

Lovejoy is very strict with parishoners about their faith. For example, in She of Little Faith, when Lisa converted to Buddhism, he called her "Marge Simpson's devil-daughter". He also refuses to perform homosexual marriages, and burns things that are agains the Bible, or anything that encourages evil, for when Krusty the Clown commited armed robbery in Krusty Gets Busted, Reverend Lovejoy made the inhabitants of Sprinfield burn all Krusty merchandise. He often reads readings about Hell from the Old Testament during sermons, encouraging a pessimistic attitude.

Once, when Homer sued the Church and bought it, Reverend Lovejoy was forced to leave Springfield because he had no place to preach. However, when Homer caused a flood of Springfield because God was not pleased with him, Lovejoy returned in a helicopter and saved all the Springfieldians.

The Reverend, although being holy, is hardly perfect. He encourages his canine to go to the bathroom on Flanders' lawn, he once scammed the members of his church, once used violent means to subdue cult worshippers, and even once attempted to burn his church down. Nevertheless, he is respected as a spiritual and religious leader throughout Springfield.

Reverend Lovejoy is married to Helen Lovejoy, and has one daughter, Jessica.