ST
JOHNS CEMETERY, MAURY COUNTY, TENNESSEE
HERLONG, Betram Nelson, 16 Oct. 1934 - 21
Oct, 2011. (shares stone with Barbara Ann Vickers Herlong.)
The Right Reverend Bertram Nelson Herlong (October 16, 1934 � October 21,
2011) was the tenth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee.
He was born in Lake City, Florida and graduated from Columbia High School in
1952. He received a bachelor's degree in Literature and English from the
University of Florida in 1956, and married Barbara Ann Vickers in June, 1957.
The couple had two children, Angela and Michele.
After the death of his brother, George, Herlong was called to the ministry and
enrolled at the University of the South where he was awarded a Bachelors of
Divinity in 1959. He was ordained to the diaconate on July 25, 1960 by Edward
Hamilton West, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, and to the priesthood
by the same bishop on March 13, 1961. Herlong's ministry began at Church of the
Epiphany in Crestview, Florida and he was the first vicar at St. Jude's Church
in Valparaiso, Florida. He became Canon Pastor at St. John's Cathedral in
Jacksonville, Florida and was Assistant Headmaster and Chaplain at Jacksonville
Episcopal High School.
Herlong earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree in 1970 by taking classes over
seven summers. He was appointed associate rector of Trinity Church, Wall Street
in 1972, becoming vicar of Trinity's St. Paul's Chapel in 1977. He continued his
education at the New York Theological Seminary and was awarded a Doctorate of
Ministry in 1980. He was also active in the community, starting a hospice at
Beekman Downtown Hospital in Manhattan and organizing St. Margaret's Housing
Center for seniors. He was also a director for the New York Board of Trade.
He became Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, Detroit in 1979. In 1988, he was a
candidate in the episcopal election of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida
before being elected bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee on January 30, 1993. He
was consecrated on June 26, 1993 and awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity
degree in 1993.
He was succeeded as diocesan bishop by John Crawford Bauerschmidt, eleventh
Bishop of Tennessee, who was consecrated on January 27, 2007.
Herlong was a member of the Board of Directors of The Living Church Foundation
and episcopal visitor of the Community of Saint Mary, Southern Province. He was
considered a leader among conservatives in the Episcopal Church USA.
Obituary sent
by Mary Bob Richardson 28 Jul 2016