The
Reverend Dr. Errol A. Harvey was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943, the
second of four sons born to Fred and Elizabeth Harvey. He graduated from Aquinas
College with a B.A. in history and political science.
The Reverend Dr. Errol A. Harvey
The
Reverend Dr. Errol A. Harvey was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943, the
second of four sons born to Fred and Elizabeth Harvey. He graduated from Aquinas
College with a B.A. in history and political science.
Answering the call to God's service, Father Harvey entered Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois in 1965, and received a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1969. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1968 in the Diocese of Western Michigan and to the priesthood in the Diocese of Newark in 1969.
From 1968 to 1970, Father Harvey served at Trinity Cathedral in Newark, New Jersey, first as a deacon and then as an assistant priest. From 1970 to 1972, he served as Rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He was called to be vicar of St. Andrew's Church in the Bronx in 1972 and remained there for eleven years. Under his leadership, St. Andrew's became an independent, self-supporting parish, and he was elected to its first Rector. While at St. Andrew's, Father Harvey was instrumental in building St. Andrew's House, a 75 unit apartment complex for senior citizens and physically challenged. Also while at St. Andrew's in 1977, he earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from New York University.
In 1983, Father Harvey was called to be Rector of St. Augustine's Church on Manhattan's Lower East Side. His dynamic leadership led to the formation of one of the first gospel choirs in the Episcopal Diocese of New York, to the Development of a vibrant group of Praise Dancers to participate in worship services, to the formation of the Children's Community Choir and to the annual celebration of African Heritage Day. Most recently, he spearheaded successful efforts to obtain historical recognition and funding for St. Augustine's Slave Gallery, the only remaining slave gallery in New York City.
In addition, Father Harvey has been a pioneer in the fight against AIDS, police brutality, labor exploitation, the unjust imprisonment of women and world-wide human rights abuses. He has been a tireless champion of the rights of the homeless, senior citizens, prisoners, including death row inmates, mothers in prison, people with disabilities and AIDS. Armed with the courage of his convictions, he has been arrested for protesting racial injustice and police brutality.
Father Harvey served as Convener of the Episcopal Black Caucus of the Diocese of New York for six years, as past President of the Lower East Side Needle Exchange, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Housing Works, Inc., the largest provider of housing and services for people with AIDS in New York City.
Father Harvey's outstanding contributions to the community and to the church have been repeatedly recognized. In 1998 alone, he received the Outstanding Service Award from the Council of Churches of the City of New York and the DeWitt Reformed Church Community Service Award. His other honors include the Reverend Patrick D. Walker Leadership Award given by the Black Caucus of the Diocese of New York, the James H. Robinson, Jr., Award from the Henry Street Settlement Cadet Corps, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from National Theological Seminary of Commonwealth University.
In his spare time, Father Harvey enjoys traveling, painting, films, art and computers. He also enjoys cooking and baking his own bread.