Background
Kern, Paul Bentley was born on June 16, 1882 in Alexandria, Virginia, United States. Son of John A. and Margaret Virginia (Eskridge) Kern.
Kern, Paul Bentley was born on June 16, 1882 in Alexandria, Virginia, United States. Son of John A. and Margaret Virginia (Eskridge) Kern.
Student Randolph-Macon College, 1897-1899, Doctor of Divinity, 1919. Bachelor of Arts, Vanderbilt University, 1902, Master of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity, 1905. Doctor of Divinity, Duke University, 1934, Victoria University (Toronto), 1938.
Doctor of Laws, Emory University, 1936.
Doctor of Letters, Ohio Wesleyan, 1938. Doctor of Humane Letters, Willamette University, 1945.
Doctor of Divinity, Wofford College, 1936. Doctor of Laws, Emory & Henry College, 1950.
Ordained ministry Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1902. Teacher Vanderbilt University, 1905-1907. Pastor Blakemore Church, Nashville, 1907-1910.
Bellbuckle, Tennessee, 1910-1912, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 1912-1915.
Professor ministerial efficiency, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 1915-1926, dean School of Theology, 1920-1926. Pastor Travis Park Church, San Antonio, Texas, 1926-1930.
Elected bishop of Methodist Episcopal Church, South, assigned to Orient, 1930, in charge of conferences in Tennessee area, 1938-1952, retired President Methodist Council of Bishops, also delegate World Council of Churches, Amsterdam, 1948. Founder Summer Conference for Christian Workers, Ovoca, Tennessee, 1912.
Fondren lecturer Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 1930.
Cole lecturer Vanderbilt University, 1935. Jarrell lecturer Emory University, 1941. Peyton Lecturer Southern Methodist 1947-1952.
Member Kappa Alpha (Southern), Tau Kappa Alpha, Phi Beta Kappa.
Married Lucy G. Campbell, June 11, 1907. Children: Campbell, Virginia (Mistress Julian M. Aldridge), Katherine (Mistress Frank West. Buckner).