The Most Reverend Walter Howard Grundorf, DD, Presiding Bishop Emeritus of the Anglican Province of America and Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of the Eastern United States, entered eternal life, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, after a courageous and valiant fight against cancer.
Bishop Grundorf graduated from Bob Jones University in South Carolina and did his Master’s and graduate schoolwork in the mid-1960’s. He was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity Degree, in 2005, by the Theological Commission of the Reformed Episcopal Church.
He became a member of the traditional Anglican Church movement while in graduate school and was ordained as deacon and priest, in 1966. He was elected Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of the Eastern United States (Anglican), in 1976. He served as rector of St. Michael’s Church in Knoxville, TN, from 1967-1976, then as rector of St. Paul’s Church, in Jackson, MS, where he served from 1976-1979. In 1979, he relocated to Orlando, Florida as a missionary bishop, establishing the mission Church of Saint Alban’s. Saint Alban’s is now one of the largest churches in the Traditional Anglican continuum and served as the Cathedral Church of DEUS and the Anglican Province of America (APA) during his tenure.
Bishop Grundorf was elected Diocesan Bishop of DEUS in 1995 and Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Province of America in 1998, a global fellowship of traditional Anglican churches with affiliates in Haiti, India, the Philippines, and Ecuador. He worked tirelessly to foster greater unity within the traditional Anglican continuum. In 2017, he became one of four Presiding Bishops to form the Communion of the Joint Synods, including the Anglican Catholic Church, the Anglican Church in America, the Anglican Province of America, and the Diocese of the Holy Cross. Bishop Grundorf retired as Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Province of America and Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of the Eastern United States at the APA/DEUS Joint Synod in 2021. In 2024, Bishop Grundorf was declared Presiding and Diocesan Bishop Emeritus.
Surviving relatives of Bishop Grundorf include his devoted wife Mary Bennett Grundorf, Stephen Grundorf (Son), Walter King Grundorf (Son), Christopher Jason Grundorf (Son), Daniel Grundorf (Son), Timothy Bennett (Son), Audrey Fowler (Sister), Arnold Grundorf (Brother), 11 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents Walter & Edith Grundorf.
Words fail to express what Bishop Grundorf, in his life and ministry, meant to all of those whom he patiently served and shepherded, who in their grief at his passing offer thanks to God for all that he was to them, and for all that he accomplished in building up Christ’s church.
Bishop Walter Howard Grundorf went to his heavenly reward on the last Sunday before Lent, on which the Anglican church remembers the theological virtue of love given from the God of love. That love shined forth in him, and his life embodied that love which is at the heart of Jesus Christ.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the “Grundorf Memorial Fund” and sent to St. Alban’s Anglican Cathedral, 3348 W. State Road 426, Oviedo FL, 32765.
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Funeral Mass
28
Feb
3348 W. State Road 426
Oviedo, FL 32765
