Frank W. Sterrett

Frank William Sterrett (January 21, 1885 – June 1976) was an American prelate who served as the Bishop of Bethlehem between 1928 till 1954.

Education

Sterrett was born on January 21, 1885 in Middleport, New York, the son of William J. Sterrett and Mary Elizabeth Spalding. In 1901, he graduated from the high school in Middleport, after which he studied at Hobart College between 1903 and 1904. He then studied at the University of Buffalo Law School between 1904 and 1905. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania in 1908 and a Bachelor of Divinity from Philadelphia Divinity School in 1911. He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity in 1924 and a Doctor of Laws in 1924 from Hobart College and another form Lehigh University in 1933. Lafayette College also awarded him a Doctor of Divinity in 1951.

Ministry

Sterrett was ordained deacon in 1911 and priest in 1912. He served as vicar of Grace Chapel in Kingston, Pennsylvania between 1911 and 1912 after which he became assistant priest at Saint Stephen’s Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In 1915 he became rector of the same church where he remained till 1923.

Bishop

He was elected Coadjutor Bishop of Bethlehem and was consecrated on November 9, 1923 by Ethelbert Talbot, Bishop of Bethlehem. He then succeeded as diocesan bishop on February 27, 1928 and retired in 1954. He served as diocesan bishop from 1928 to 1954.