Background
Smith, Harry Lester was born on April 15, 1876 in Indiana, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of George W. and Lucy (Shepherd) Smith.
Smith, Harry Lester was born on April 15, 1876 in Indiana, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of George W. and Lucy (Shepherd) Smith.
Bachelor of Arts, Allegheny College, 1904, Master of Arts, 1906, Doctor of Divinity, 1913, Doctor of Laws, 1921. Student Columbia 1 year. Bachelor of Divinity, Drew Theological Seminary, 1905.
Doctor of Laws, Albion (Michigan) College, 1920, Wilberforce, 1938, Marietta College, 1947.
Began preaching at 20. Ordained to ministry Methodist Episcopal Church, 1906. Pastor Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, 1897-1900.
Assistant pastor, Meadville, 1900-1901.
Pastor Congressional Church, Corry, 1901-1903, Methodist Episcopal Church, Leonia, New Jersey, 1903-1905, Bellevue Church, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, 1905-1909, Delaware Avenue Church, Buffalo, 1909-1912, Central Church, Detroit, 1912-1920. Elected bishop, 1920, and appointed to Bangalore, India, for 4 years in supervision of missionary work.
Appointed resident bishop Helena area, 1924, Chattanooga area, 1928, Cincinnati area, 1932, Ohio area, 1944. Delaware General Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church Church, 1916, 20.
Member Phi Beta Kappa, Delta Tau Delta. Mason (33°).
Married Ida L. Martin, June 29, 1899.