# Henry Knox Sherrill

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American bishop (1890–1980)

Henry Knox Sherrill 20th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church Church Episcopal Church In office 1947–1958 Predecessor Henry St. George Tucker Successor Arthur C. Lichtenberger Previous post Bishop of Massachusetts (1930–1947) Orders Ordination May 9, 1915 by William Lawrence Consecration October 14, 1930 by James De Wolf Perry Personal details Born (1890-11-06)November 6, 1890 Brooklyn, New York, United States Died May 11, 1980(1980-05-11) (aged 89) Boxford, Massachusetts, United States Buried Cone Hill Cemetery in Richmond, Massachusetts Parents Henry Williams Sherril, Maria Knox Spouse Barbara Harris Children 4 Education Yale University (BA) Episcopal Theological School (BDiv)

**Henry Knox Sherrill** (November 6, 1890 – May 11, 1980) was an [Episcopal](/source/Episcopal_Church_(United_States)) bishop. He was the 20th [Presiding Bishop](/source/Presiding_Bishop) of the [Episcopal Church](/source/Episcopal_Church_(United_States)) from 1947 to 1958, having previously served as [Bishop of Massachusetts](/source/Episcopal_Diocese_of_Massachusetts) (1930–1947).

## Biography

Henry Knox Sherrill was born in [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn), New York, to Henry Williams and Maria (Prue) Knox Mills Sherrill.[1] His father died when he was ten-years-old, and his mother raised him to be religiously observant.[2] He graduated from Brooklyn's [Polytechnic Preparatory School](/source/Poly_Prep_Country_Day_School) in 1906, after which he attended the [Hotchkiss School](/source/Hotchkiss_School) in [Lakeville](/source/Lakeville%2C_Connecticut), [Connecticut](/source/Connecticut), for a year.[1] At age sixteen, he entered [Yale College](/source/Yale_College), from where he obtained his [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) degree in 1911.[3] While a student at Yale, he taught [Sunday school](/source/Sunday_school) at St. Paul's Church in [New Haven](/source/New_Haven%2C_Connecticut) and experienced a call to the ordained ministry. One of his greatest mentors at Yale was [Henry Sloane Coffin](/source/Henry_Sloane_Coffin), a [Presbyterian](/source/Presbyterian_Church_(U.S.A.)) theologian and educator.[2] He earned his [Master of Divinity](/source/Master_of_Divinity) degree from the [Episcopal Theological School](/source/Episcopal_Divinity_School) in [Cambridge](/source/Cambridge%2C_Massachusetts), [Massachusetts](/source/Massachusetts), in 1914.[3] Sherrill was [ordained](/source/Holy_Orders) to the [diaconate](/source/Deacon) on June 7, 1914, and to the [priesthood](/source/Priest) on May 9, 1915.[3] He then served as an assistant minister at [Trinity Church](/source/Trinity_Church%2C_Boston) in [Boston](/source/Boston) until 1917, when he became a [Red Cross](/source/International_Red_Cross_and_Red_Crescent_Movement) [chaplain](/source/Chaplain) at [Massachusetts General Hospital](/source/Massachusetts_General_Hospital). He later became an [Army](/source/United_States_Army) chaplain, with the rank of First Lieutenant, at Base Hospital 6 in [Talence](/source/Talence), France.[2]

Upon his return from the war service, he served as [rector](/source/Rector_(ecclesiastical)) of the [Church of Our Saviour](/source/Church_of_Our_Saviour%2C_Brookline) in [Brookline](/source/Brookline%2C_Massachusetts) from 1919 to 1923.[1] In 1921, he married Barbara Harris, with whom he had four children: Henry Williams, Edmund Knox, Franklin Goldthwaite, and Barbara Prue.[1] He then returned to Boston's Trinity Church, where he had begun his ministry, as rector.[3] In addition to his duties as rector, he served as a [professor](/source/Professor) at the Episcopal Theological School and the [Boston University School of Theology](/source/Boston_University_School_of_Theology), and was active in various civic and religious organizations, including the Greater Boston Council of Churches.[3] He also proved to be a gifted fundraiser, increasing Trinity's average annual contribution to the national church from $30,000 to $35,000—one of the largest of any Episcopal parish in the country at that time.[2] In 1928, he was elected [Coadjutor bishop](/source/Coadjutor_bishop) of the [Diocese of Pennsylvania](/source/Episcopal_Diocese_of_Pennsylvania), but declined the position.[1][4]

On Oct. 14, 1930, Sherrill was consecrated the ninth Bishop of Massachusetts. He served in that position until June 1, 1947, when he resigned to become Presiding Bishop. He served on the [President's Committee on Civil Rights](/source/President's_Committee_on_Civil_Rights) in 1946 for President [Harry Truman](/source/Harry_Truman). From Jan. 1, 1947, until Nov. 14, 1958, he was Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. At the General Convention of 1943, a canon was passed which required the Presiding Bishop to tender to the House of Bishops the resignation of his previous jurisdiction to take effect on the date of assuming the office of Presiding Bishop or no later than six months thereafter.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Sherrill was the first Presiding Bishop chosen after this canon was passed. While Presiding Bishop he led in the organization of the [Episcopal Church Foundation](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Episcopal_Church_Foundation&action=edit&redlink=1) and the establishment of the [Seabury Press](/source/Seabury_Press). He decided to move the 1955 General Convention from Houston to Honolulu, due to the former city's segregation.[5][6] Sherrill was the founding President of the [National Council of Churches](/source/National_Council_of_Churches) from 1950 to 1952, and one of the presidents of the World Council of Churches from 1954 until 1961. He resigned as Presiding Bishop in 1958 for reasons of health.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In 1953, Sherrill delivered the [benediction](/source/Prayers_at_United_States_presidential_inaugurations) at the inauguration of President [Dwight D. Eisenhower](/source/Dwight_D._Eisenhower).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In 1959, he led the consecration of his son, [Edmund Knox Sherrill](/source/Edmund_Knox_Sherrill), as an Anglican bishop in Brazil.[7]

## Death

Sherrill died in [Boxford, Massachusetts](/source/Boxford%2C_Massachusetts), and is buried at Cone Hill Cemetery in [Richmond, Massachusetts](/source/Richmond%2C_Massachusetts).

## Legacy

Sherrill House, a nursing and rehabilitation center in [Jamaica Plain](/source/Jamaica_Plain), Boston, is named in his honor.[8]

Sherrill Hall, a freshman dormitory at [Hobart College](/source/Hobart_and_William_Smith_Colleges), is also named in his honor.

The American operatic baritone [Sherrill Milnes](/source/Sherrill_Milnes) was named after him (see Milnes' memoirs, *American Aria*).

## See also

- [List of presiding bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America](/source/List_of_presiding_bishops_of_the_Episcopal_Church_in_the_United_States_of_America)

- [List of Episcopal bishops of the United States](/source/List_of_Episcopal_bishops_of_the_United_States)

- [Historical list of the Episcopal bishops of the United States](/source/List_of_bishops_of_the_Episcopal_Church_in_the_United_States_of_America)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-yale_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-yale_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-yale_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-yale_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-yale_1-4) ["Henry Knox Sherrill Papers"](http://drs.library.yale.edu:8083/saxon/SaxonServlet?style=http://drs.library.yale.edu:8083/saxon/EAD/yul.ead2002.xhtml.xsl&source=http://drs.library.yale.edu:8083/fedora/get/divinity:067/EAD). *Yale University Library*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-churches_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-churches_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-churches_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-churches_2-3) ["The Church & Churches"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121104141020/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,805953.html). *[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))*. March 26, 1951. Archived from [the original](http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,805953.html) on November 4, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-presiding_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-presiding_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-presiding_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-presiding_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-presiding_3-4) ["Henry Knox Sherrill (1947-1958)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100407193303/http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78712_77802_ENG_HTM.htm). *Episcopal Church of the United States of America*. Archived from [the original](http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78712_77802_ENG_HTM.htm) on April 7, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["DR. SHERRILL ELECTED BISHOP COADJUTOR; Boston Rector Chosen by Pennsylvania Episcopal Diocese Defeated "High Church" Nominee"](https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/04/archives/dr-sherrill-elected-bishop-coadjutor-boston-rector-chosen-by.html). *The New York Times*. May 4, 1928. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved March 10, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** TIME (June 21, 1954). ["Religion: The Eyes of the World"](https://time.com/archive/6798315/religion-the-eyes-of-the-world/). *TIME*. Retrieved June 16, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** TIME (September 19, 1955). ["Religion: Reformation Church"](https://time.com/archive/6802835/religion-reformation-church/). *TIME*. Retrieved June 16, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-LambethX_7-0)** James Beasley Simpson (1969). *The Long Shadows of Lambeth X: a critical, eye-witness account of the tenth decennial conference of 462 bishops of the Anglican Communion*. McGraw-Hill. p. 301. Edmund Knox Sherrill...was consecrated in 1959 by his father, Henry Knox Sherrill

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SHHISTORY_8-0)** ["Sherrill House: About"](http://sherrillhouse.org/about/history.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150129054332/http://www.sherrillhouse.org/about/history.php) 2015-01-29 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), Sherrill House website.

## External links

- [Works by or about Henry Knox Sherrill](https://archive.org/search.php?query=%28%28subject%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20Henry%20Knox%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20Henry%20K%2E%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20H%2E%20K%2E%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Henry%20Knox%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Henry%20K%2E%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22H%2E%20K%2E%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20Henry%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Henry%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Henry%20Knox%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Henry%20K%2E%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22H%2E%20K%2E%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22H%2E%20Knox%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20Henry%20Knox%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20Henry%20K%2E%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20H%2E%20K%2E%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20H%2E%20Knox%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Henry%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20Henry%22%20OR%20title%3A%22Henry%20Knox%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20title%3A%22Henry%20K%2E%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20title%3A%22H%2E%20K%2E%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20title%3A%22Henry%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Henry%20Knox%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Henry%20K%2E%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20description%3A%22H%2E%20K%2E%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20Henry%20Knox%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20Henry%20K%2E%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Henry%20Sherrill%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Sherrill%2C%20Henry%22%29%20OR%20%28%221890-1980%22%20AND%20Sherrill%29%29%20AND%20%28-mediatype:software%29) at the [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive)

Episcopal Church (USA) titles Preceded by Henry St. George Tucker 20th Presiding Bishop January 1, 1947 – November 14, 1958 Succeeded by Arthur C. Lichtenberger Preceded by Charles Lewis Slattery Bishop of Massachusetts 1930–1947 Succeeded by Norman Burdett Nash

v t e Presiding bishops in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America By seniority William White Samuel Seabury Samuel Provoost William White Alexander Griswold Philander Chase Thomas Brownell John Hopkins Benjamin Smith Alfred Lee John Williams Thomas Clark Daniel S. Tuttle Alexander Garrett Ethelbert Talbot By election John Murray Charles Anderson DeWolf Perry Henry Tucker Henry Sherrill Arthur Lichtenberger John Hines John Allin Edmond Browning Frank Griswold Katharine Jefferts Schori Michael Curry Sean W. Rowe

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF FAST WorldCat National United States Other NARA SNAC Yale LUX

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