Joseph F. Berry

Joseph F. Berry

13 May 1856 - 11 February 1931


Bishop Joseph Flintoff Berry

by Elmer Houser

This esteemed servant of God, an honored member of the Detroit Conference since his election as a Bishop in 1904, went to his coronation from Winter Park, Fla., on February 11th, 1931. Thus was translated one of Michigan’s own Bishops, the one perhaps most widely and intimately known of all whom Michigan has given to the Episcopacy of the Methodist Episcopal church.

He received his education at Milton Academy and other schools of Canada. He began preaching at a very early age. In 1874, at the age of 18 he came to Michigan and entered the Detroit Conference on trial. He was received into full connection in 1876, being ordained deacon in the year just named, and elder in 1878. His first appointment was at Memphis though he had preached at Algonac before entering the Conference. For some years he was known as "The Boy Preacher." In 1880 his father transferred to the Detroit Conference and remained a member until his death. Joseph F. Berry’s appointments were: Memphis, Fort Gratiot (Port Huron), Mt. Clemens, Caro, Tucson, Arizona, then Mt. Clemens again.

In 1886 he was elected associate-editor of the Michigan Christian Advocate. In 1890 the Epworth League was getting under way and the Epworth Herald was projected. Joseph F. Berry was called to Chicago to be its editor. That gave him another quadrennium of marked editorial experience and success. He edited the Herald with masterly skill and built it up to the largest circulation any paper in Methodism had ever attained.

Dr. Berry was elected a delegate to the General Conferences of 1892, 1896, 1900 and in 1904 was elected Bishop. He served in the active episcopacy for 24 years, retiring in 1928. He was one of the most genial, approachable Bishops our church ever had. He made friends everywhere. As an administrator he measured up with the best. He developed into a preacher of real ability and power. He always held to the old paths and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the fathers preached it. Bishop Berry was the recipient of his share of collegiate honors. He had the degree of D.D. from Lawrence University and LL.D. from Cornell College and Syracuse University.

When elected in 1904, Bishop Berry was assigned episcopal residence at Buffalo where he lived eight years. In 1912 he was transferred to Philadelphia, which was his episcopal residence until 1920. In that year the General Conference first established the Area system, and Bishop Berry had the good fortune to be again assigned to the Philadelphia Area. There he remained for the limit of another eight years, making 16 years in all at that important point, a period not exceeded by any other member of the Board of Bishops in all Methodist history. In 1916, on the retirement of Bishop Cranston, Bishop Berry became senior member of the Board of Bishops and remained as such until his own retirement in 1928. After his retirement he was actively engaged in writing for the press, frequent addresses, and evangelistic and prohibition work.

In 1876 he was united in marriage with Miss Olive Johnson, at Wallaceburg, Ontario. Two boys came to the home, but lived only a few years. Their deaths, quite near together, was a great grief to the parents. Mrs. Berry shared all her husband’s joys and sorrows, changes of residence and honors and now survives in loneliness and sorrow.

The funeral at Winter Park of Florida was held at our Methodist church with the pastor, Rev. John Treadwell, preaching the sermon. Thirty-five ministers were present, several of them from Michigan. The remains were placed in a vault at Orlando until spring. On May 1st a largely attended Memorial service was held at the Mt. Clemens church with a choice address by Bishop William Fraser McDowell. The burial was made in the cemetery at Mt. Clemens.

- Detroit Annual Conference minutes of 1931, pp. 130-131

Appointments

Links