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Conrad H. Gesner

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The Right Reverend

Conrad Herbert Gesner

D.D., S.T.D.
Bishop of South Dakota
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseSouth Dakota
ElectedMay 2, 1945
In office1954–1970
PredecessorW. Blair Roberts
SuccessorWalter H. Jones
Previous post(s)Coadjutor Bishop of South Dakota (1945-1954)
Orders
OrdinationNovember 1927
by Hugh L. Burleson
ConsecrationMay 2, 1945
by Henry St. George Tucker
Personal details
Born(1901-08-30)August 30, 1901
DiedSeptember 1, 1993(1993-09-01) (aged 92)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
DenominationAnglican
ParentsAnthon Temple Gesner & Blanche Louise Pinniger
Spouse
Betty Merrell
(m. 1927)
Children3
EducationGeneral Theological Seminary
Alma materTrinity College

Conrad Herbert Gesner (August 30, 1901 - September 1, 1993) was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota from 1953 until his retirement in 1970.

Early life and education

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Gesner was born on August 30, 1901, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, to the Reverend Anthon Temple Gesner and Blanche Louise Pinniger.[1] He was educated at Ridgefield School in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He then studied at Trinity College from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1923, and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity in 1945. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary in 1927, and earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology in 1946.[2]

Ordained ministry

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Gesner was ordained deacon in April 1927 and priest in November 1927 by Bishop Hugh L. Burleson of South Dakota.[3] He married Betty Merrell on June 23, 1927, and together had three children. Gesner served as Canon Missioner at Calvary Cathedral in Sioux Falls, South Dakota between 1927 and 1929, rector of Trinity Church in Pierre, South Dakota between 1929 and 1933, and then as rector of the Church of St John the Evangelist in Saint Paul, Minnesota between 1933 and 1945.[4]

Bishop

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Gesner was elected Coadjutor Bishop of South Dakota by the House of Bishops on May 2, 1945,[5] and consecrated on May 2, 1945. He succeeded as Missionary Bishop of the District of South Dakota on January 1, 1954. He retired in 1970 and served as assistant bishop in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. Gesner died on September 1, 1993, at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "GESNER, CONRAD HERBERT". Who's Who in Minnesota: 1012. 1941.
  2. ^ "GESNER, CONRAD HERBERT". Religious Leaders of America. 2: 417. 1942.
  3. ^ "GESNER, Rt. Rev. Conrad Herbert". Stowe's Clerical Directory of the American Episcopal Church: 129. 1953.
  4. ^ "GESNER, Rt. Rev. CONRAD HERBERT". World Biography. 5: 421. 1954.
  5. ^ Sneve, V. D. H. (1977). That They May Have Life: The Episcopal Church in South Dakota, 1859-1976, p. 148. Seabury Press. ISBN 0816421412.
  6. ^ "People", Episcopal News Service, October 7, 1993. Retrieved on March 15, 2021.