Reverend Herbert Armstrong Bevard

Bevard Reverend Herbert Armstrong Most Reverend Herbert Armstrong February 24, 1946 - September 20, 2025 Having received the benefit of the Sacraments, Bishop Herbert A. Bevard was received into eternal life on Saturday, September 20, 2025. He died peacefully in his home in Wilmington, North Carolina. Bishop Herbert Armstrong Bevard was born on February 24, 1946, in Baltimore, Maryland to Charles W. Bevard and Katherine Anna (Shafer) Bevard. He had one older brother Charles who preceded him in death in 2016. The future bishop was initially educated in the public school system in Oxford, Pa. After a few years of early elementary school, he would go on to attend the McDonagh School from which he concluded elementary school and went on to graduate from high school. He attended Dickinson College for two years prior to his seminary entrance. As a young man the future bishop was attracted to the Catholic faith and converted to Catholicism Throughout his life, he was proud to tell people of why he converted and had an extraordinary zeal to invite others to see the beauty and truth of the Catholic Faith. It was after two years at Dickinson College that he applied for admittance to Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia to study and become a Catholic Priest. Bishop Bevard was ordained a Priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on May 20, 1972, by His Eminence John Cardinal Krol. The bishop would enjoy many happy years of serving God's people as a Parochial vicar/Assistant pastor at Nativity BVM Parish, Media, Saint Robert Parish, Chester, Pa., Saint Richard Parish, South Philadelphia Saint Charles Borromeo Parish Bensalem, Pa. and Saint Anastasia Parish, Newtown Square, Pa. In June of 1994 he was appointed the Pastor of his beloved St. Athanasius Parish in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia. There he would spend some of the happiest days of his life leading a revival in the once declining parish. With the help of his parishioners, the once shuttered Upper Church would be opened for liturgical services, many improvements made to parish buildings and the grounds, and the school would remain at the center of his efforts to provide quality Catholic education for all. During his time at Saint Athanasius, he was named Monsignor in 2003 and in 2007 was asked by Cardinal Justin Rigali to become the Vicar of Philadelphia North. On July 7, 2008, His Holiness Benedict XVI appointed Msgr. Bevard the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Bishop Bevard was ordained a Bishop on September 3, 2008 by Cardinal Donald Wuerl in the Cathedral in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands before many of his friends and family who travelled there to be with him and see him become a successor of the Apostles and shepherd of this vibrant and missionary diocese. In his closing remarks at his Ordination and Installation Mass Bishop Bevard said he had been sent there to "proclaim the Gospel and guide God's holy people." Bishop Bevard worked tirelessly for the people of St. Thomas, Saint Croix and St. John. During his time there he made Catholic education a priority, established many social service programs for the care and needs of those in need of help and led a multi-year project to beautifully restore the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Because of health concerns Bishop Bevard asked to retire and on September 18, 2020 Pope Francis would accept his letter of resignation. Bishop Bevard never stopped praying for all those he ministered to in his many pastoral assignments especially the Priests, the Religious and the good people of the Diocese of Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Reception of the Body followed by Morning Prayer will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10 A.M. at Saint Athanasius Church, 2050 E. Walnut Lane, Philadelphia, Pa., followed by a Viewing until 1:45 P.M. A Solemn Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 P.M. On Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. the Committal will take place at Oxford Cemetery at 220 N. 3rd St., Oxford, Pa. A Memorial Mass will take place in St. Thomas on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul. Donations may be made to St. Athanasius Church, 2050 E. Walnut Lane, Phila., PA 19138 or to Catholic Charities Virgin Islands, P.O. Box 10736, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00801. www.mayfuneralhome.com