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Biography · Civil Rights & Community

Will Herzfeld

1937–2002

United States

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Biography

Willie Lawrence Herzfeld (June 9, 1937 – May 9, 2002) was an American clergyman and civil rights activist who was presiding bishop for the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. He was the first African American to lead a national Lutheran church body in the United States. Additionally, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Oakland from 1973 to 1992.

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Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

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