Frank S. Cerveny

Frank Stanley Cerveny (June 4, 1933 – January 7, 2026) was an American Episcopalian bishop. He was the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Florida and the 699th bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America,The Episcopal Church Annual, Morehouse Publishing, New York, NY (2005)] a province of the Anglican Communion.

Early life Frank Cerveny was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts, in the Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan area and grew up during the Depression. Rutgers University, Episcopal Bishops He graduated from Trinity College in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts, then earned a master of divinity from the General Theological Seminary in 1958. Cerveny was awarded four honorary doctorates.

His first parish was in Miami, Florida, at the Church of the Resurrection, where he was ordained as a priest in December 1958. Next, Cerveny served on the staff of Trinity Church in New York City for several years. He married Emmy Thomas Pettway on November 1, 1961, and they had three children. He became rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Jackson, Tennessee, in 1963, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Jackson, Tennessee, History then led St. John's Episcopal Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, beginning in 1969.

Cerveny was called to Jacksonville, Florida, in July 1972 and served as dean at St. John's Cathedral. He was elected bishop coadjutor on February 23, 1974, and consecrated on May 23, 1974, as the sixth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. Diocese of Florida, Previous Bishops-Frank Cerveny

Episcopacy During his 18 years as bishop, membership in the diocese grew, a site for a new diocesan camp was acquired near Live Oak, Florida, Camp Weed was constructed, as was a conference center (which was named in Cerveny's honor). The Episcopal Foundation was established and two programs were begun to help Cuban Episcopalians: Partners in Mission and Companion Diocese relationships. Christian Healing Ministries, created by Doctors Francis and Judith MacNutt in 1981, was embraced by Bishop Cerveny and relocated to Jacksonville, where their international outreach gave hope and comfort to people throughout the world.

Bishop Cerveny served as a member on the National Board for Theological Education; chairmanships included the Presiding Bishop's Select Committee, Deans and Bishops Committee, and the Environmental Stewardship Team. He was a trustee for the University of the South, an official seminary of the Episcopal Church.

In 1992, he retired as bishop and joined the Church Pension Group (CPG) in New York City as executive vice president. He also served as president of the Compass Rose Society.Libby, Bob: Lambeth Conference, Lambeth Daily, July 23, 1998- Compass Rose Society to raise $10 million

Cerveny returned to Jacksonville in 1999 Duval County Property Appraiser, Property record card 1999, exempt val Duval County Property Appraiser, Property record card 2000, exempt val and served as clerical trustee of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund from 1998 Jessie Ball duPont Fund website, Trustees until the organization's rules required that he retire at age 70.Kerr, Jessie-Lynn: Florida Times-Union, September 19, 2003-Retiring bishop is new duPont trustee He then became a trustee of the Community Foundation in Jacksonville. Community Foundation of Jacksonville, Staff & Board, Trustees- Florida Times-Union, March 7, 2004-Community Foundation appoints 2 to board

Personal life and death Cerveny and his wife resided on the St. Johns River in Ortega. He died on January 7, 2026, at the age of 92.

Bibliography (autobiography) “You Will Be My Bishop:” A Memoir (Tall Pine Books)

Frank S. Cerveny

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