Friends and former parishioners are mourning the loss of Bishop Herbert A. Bevard, a beloved priest whose devotion to Jesus and Mary shone brightly throughout his service in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and the Diocese of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Bishop Bevard passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, at the age of 79 in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he had been residing.
His funeral Mass is set to take place on Friday, September 26, at 2 p.m. at St. Athanasius Church in Philadelphia, with Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, retired Archbishop of Louisville, presiding over the ceremony.
Burial will occur at Oxford Cemetery in Oxford, Chester County.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez expressed deep sadness over the bishop’s death, noting Bishop Bevard’s reliance on divine grace and the protective mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout his ministry.
“Bishop Bevard relied on the grace of God and the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary as he provided ministry as a bishop and priest in a spirit of charity, humility, and joy,” Archbishop Pérez stated.
He also highlighted the gratitude and affection that Bishop Bevard felt for the countless souls he touched, particularly at St. Athanasius Parish in Philadelphia.
“May God grant Bishop Bevard the gift of eternal life,” Archbishop Pérez added, extending condolences to the bishop’s family, friends, and all the clergy and lay faithful in the Diocese of St. Thomas as well as the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Born in 1946 in Baltimore, Maryland, Herbert Armstrong Bevard grew up in a Protestant family but felt a strong attraction to the Catholic faith from a young age.
After moving to Oxford, Chester County, he began serving at the altar of Sacred Heart Church, where he found his faith deepened further.
By the fifth grade, Bevard had begun instruction to enter the Catholic Church, ultimately converting upon graduating from high school in Baltimore.
He then pursued his studies at Dickinson College before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in preparation for priesthood.
Throughout his seminary days, he developed lifelong friendships with fellow seminarians, including his close friend Archbishop Joseph Kurtz.
Following his ordination to the priesthood in 1974, Bishop Bevard launched a ministry characterized by joy and a deep connection with his congregation.
Prior to his role as a bishop, he served in several parishes but is perhaps best known for his transformative time as pastor at St. Athanasius Parish in Philadelphia.
Upon arriving, he promptly set to work beautifying the parish grounds and ensuring the church was welcoming to all.
One parishioner, Louise Frasier, recalls how he dedicated himself to reopening the upper church, which had been closed for 20 years.
“He was determined to reopen that church, and he did,” Frasier said, reflecting on his tireless commitment to the parish.
Vibrant and joyful, Bishop Bevard embodied the spirit of community, demonstrating care and generosity to everyone.
He often used a riding mower given to him by a friend to clear sidewalks in winter, ensuring accessibility for parishioners who could not manage the snow themselves.
“I never saw someone so full of energy and happiness and joy,” Frasier noted, as she remembered Bishop Bevard’s interactions with the community.
Another parishioner, Janice Thomas, praised his warm and humble nature, stating that he played a significant role in her conversion to Catholicism in 1999.
“Through the Catechism, he taught me so much about my faith,
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