William Boyd Grove

William Boyd Grove (1929–2023) was a United Methodist bishop, pastor, ecumenical leader, poet, and hymn writer. Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, he studied English at Bethany College and graduated in 1951, then earned theological degrees from Drew University School of Theology and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He was ordained in the Pittsburgh Conference and served congregations in western Pennsylvania from 1954 until his election to the episcopacy in 1980, including a long pastorate at First Methodist Church in Pittsburgh.

As a bishop, Grove led the West Virginia Episcopal Area from 1980 to 1992 and the Albany, New York, Episcopal Area from 1992 to 1996. His wider church service included the presidency of the General Board of Church and Society from 1984 to 1988 and of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns from 1988 to 1996. After retiring from active episcopal leadership, he became the first ecumenical officer of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, serving from 1996 to 2000. He led United Methodist participation in major ecumenical bodies and co-chaired dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church.

Grove's interest in language, liturgy, and Christian unity also found expression in poetry and hymn writing. He belonged to the Order of St. Luke, a society devoted to liturgical and sacramental renewal, and wrote a number of hymn texts, often in response to specific commissions. His first hymn was written in 1980 for the wedding of his daughter Susan Grove and Douglas DeJarnett. He later wrote 'Christ, the Church You Gave Is Broken' for the 2002 inaugural celebration of Churches Uniting in Christ. Across his ministry, hymn writing was one part of a broader vocation centered on worship, ecumenism, pastoral leadership, and social witness.