Welch was born 7 November 1862 in New York City, New New York He was a son of Peter A. and Mary L. (née Loveland) Welch. Herbert married Adelaide Frances McGee 3 June 1890.
They had two daughters: Dorothy M. and Eleanor L.
Bachelor of Arts, Wesleyan University, 1887, Master of Arts, 1890, Doctor of Divinity, 1902, Doctor of Laws, 1906. Bachelor of Divinity, Drew Theological Seminary, 1890. Student University of Oxford, 1902-1903.
Doctor of Laws, Northwestern University, 1910, Western Reserve University, and University Vermont, 1911, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1924, Allegheny College, 1932.
Doctor of Letters, West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1928. Doctor of Divinity, Boston University, 1938.
Doctor of Laws, Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, 1958. Doctor of Humane Letters, Drew University, 1966.
He was elected to the Episcopacy in 1916. He also distinguished himself as a Methodist Pastor, and as the fifth President of Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. Welch entered the New York Annual Conference of the Mechanical Engineering Church and was appointed to Bedford Station in 1890.
In 1892 he was appointed Pastor of Saint Luke"s Mechanical Engineering Church in New York City He then transferred to the New York East Annual Conference, where he was appointed successively to: Summerfield in Brooklyn, 1893-1898.
Middletown, Connecticut, 1898–1903. And the Chester Hill Mechanical Engineering Church in Mountain.
Vernon, New York, 1903-1905. In 1905 Welsh transferred his Conference Membership again, this time to the West Ohio Annual Conference, when he was named the President of Ohio Wesleyan University.
He served as President until becoming Bishop in 1916.
During 1907-1908, the Welch was President of the Association of Ohio College Presidents and Deans. He was also the President of the Methodist Social Service from 1909–1912, and later served as chairman of the Methodist Commission for Overseas Relief, 1940-1948. Welch was elected and consecrated a Bishop by the Mechanical Engineering General Conference of 1916.
He served in this capacity for 53 years until his death at the age of 106 in 1969.
His first episcopal assignment was to of Korea and Japan (the Seoul Episcopal Area), where he served for twelve years. From 1928 until 1932 he was assigned the Pittsburgh Area.
In 1932 he was sent to China for his last assignment. He retired in 1936 from the active episcopacy.
Member board managers Missionary Society, 1896-1905. Member University Senate, 1908-1916. Member Commission Church and Social Service of Federal Council, 1908-1917.
Member state committee Young Men's Christian Association (Ohio), 1913-1916.
Member Executive Committee Federal Council, 1936-1944. Member Committee International Relations.
Member Church Committee on China Relief, 1941-1946. Member Church Committee Overseas Relief and Reconstruction until 1946.
Member Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Upsilon.
Republican. Mason (33 degree).
Married Adelaide Frances McGee, June 3, 1890 (deceased. Children: Dorothy McGee (Mistress Anthony F. Blanks), Eleanor Loveland.
