Born on April 7, 1895, in Kansas City, Missouri, James Pernette DeWolfe attended Kenyon College in Ohio and graduated from its seminary, Bexley Hall, with a theological degree in 1919. He was ordained that same year by the Bishop of Kansas. DeWolfe spent a significant portion of his early ministry building a strong reputation in Kansas City. His academic achievements were later recognized with a Doctor of Divinity from Kenyon College in 1932 and an honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology from Columbia University in 1941.
In 1934, DeWolfe became the rector of Christ Church in Houston, Texas, where he was widely credited with revitalizing the parish following a devastating fire. His leadership path then took him to New York City in 1940, where he served as Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Shortly thereafter, on February 10, 1942, he was elected the fourth Bishop of Long Island and was consecrated on May 1, 1942.
During his fruitful episcopate, Bishop DeWolfe ordained 218 deacons and 216 priests. His major achievements included establishing Camp DeWolfe, reorganizing St. John’s Hospital in Brooklyn, and founding a second diocesan hospital, St. John’s Hospital in Smithtown. He also oversaw extensive renovations to the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, spearheaded new building construction for the Cathedral Schools of St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s, and helped establish the George Mercer School of Theology in 1955, including its new campus building completed in 1958. After a prolonged illness, Bishop DeWolfe died in office on February 6, 1966.