October 30, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bishop William Boyd Grove, a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church and the first Council of Bishops (COB) ecumenical officer, died on October 27, 2023. He served in the Northeastern Jurisdiction from 1980-1996.
Bishop William Boyd Grove
Retired Bishop William Boyd Grove died at age 94. (Council of Bishops Photo)
“We have lost one of the giants of the church. Bishop Grove was a person who understood the importance of ecumenism, the joy of liturgy, and the blessing of teaching our theology through hymn writing,” said Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops. “Yet, more than that, he was a lover of people. His ability to build relationships with the anchors of grace, love, and deep respect has had a lasting impact on many. He is missed already and will not be soon forgotten. We extend our loving arms and support as well to his beloved partner, Mary Lou and the whole Grove family.”
Bishop Grove was born on April 24, 1929, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bethany College (B.A.), Drew University School of Theology (M. Div.), and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He received numerous honorary degrees and alumni awards from various colleges and universities. He was presented the Distinguished West Virginian Award by Governor Gaston Caperton in 1992.
He was received into the Pittsburgh Conference and was ordained deacon and elder by Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke. He served churches in western Pennsylvania from 1954 until his election as bishop in 1980.
Bishop Grove was elected to the episcopacy by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in 1980 and was assigned to the West Virginia Episcopal Area (1980-1992) and the Albany (NY) Episcopal Area (1992-1996). He retired from the active episcopacy in 1996. He was reactivated for service in the West Virginia Area in 2012 and he was the host of the NEJ Conference in 2012.
He has served as president of the General Board of Church and Society (1984-1988), and as president of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (1988-1996).
From 1996 to 2000, Bishop Grove served as Ecumenical Officer of the Council of Bishops, the first person to hold that office. He chaired the United Methodist delegations to the National Council of Churches, the Consultation on Church Union and the Eighth Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1998. He co-chaired the continuing Dialogue between the United Methodist Church and the Roman Catholic Church from 1996-2000.
"Not only did Bishop Grove set the example and commitment to ecumenism as the first Ecumenical Officer, but even into the last year he would join United Methodist Ecumenical and Inter-religious Training zooms to find out what’s going on in the wider ecumenical world. He was a great advocate for the foundational nature of ecumenism in United Methodism. I will miss his supportive presence and caring spirit," noted current COB Ecumenical Officer Bishop Sally Dyck.
He was poet and hymn writer, and a member of the Order of St. Luke, which is committed to liturgical and sacramental renewal. He traveled widely and preached throughout the world.
Mary Lou Naylor and William Boyd Grove were graduated from Bethany College in 1951, and on July 29, 1951, were married in Franklin Street Church, Johnstown, PA, where they had gone to Sunday School and Methodist Youth Fellowship together. The Groves have two daughters, Susan and Rebecca, and five grandchildren: Hannah, Gretchen, Carissa, Daniel and Sarah.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 72 years, Mary Lou Naylor Grove, Johnson City, TN.; his children: Susan Grove-DeJarnett (Douglas), Johnson City, TN; Rebecca Grove Janczewski, North Huntingdon, PA; Brother: David L. Grove (Barbara) Kennett Square, PA; Sister-in-law: Susan Grove, Monee, IL; Grandchildren: Hannah Grove-DeJarnett, Washington, DC; Gretchen Frankenberry (Ryan) Charleston, WV; Carissa Janczewski Park (Alex) Upper St. Clair, PA, Daniel William Janczewski, Pittsburgh, PA; Sarah Morgan Janczewski, Hershey, PA; Great-grandchildren: Julia Douglas Frankenberry, Thatcher William Frankenberry, Charleston, WV; several nieces and nephews and many clergy sons and daughters from across the United Methodist Church.
He was predeceased by parents, W. Morgan and Elizabeth Boyd Grove, Johnstown, PA; Brother: Robert Grove, Monee, IL.
Memorial Gifts may be made to the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia for ministries and relief aid to children in war-torn areas; The William and Mary Lou Grove Trust at the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia; The Bishop William Boyd Grove and Mary Lou Grove Scholarship Fund, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV.
Funeral service will be held at Christ Church United Methodist, 1221 Quarrier St. Charleston, WV. at 1:30 pm Thursday, November 16, 2023.
The Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga serves as communications director for the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church.