The Class of 2013 and students from the Lower School of the Episcopal School of Dallas gathered Wednesday, May 1 to celebrate The Reverend Canon Michael Harmuth’s 50th anniversary of ordination. Bishop James Stanton, the sixth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, led the chapel service in celebration of the tremendous milestone. Father Harmuth also started at ESD the same year as the 12 members of the Class of 2013 that have been enrolled at the school from Beginner through 12th grade.

During his speech, Bishop Stanton told the students to call Father Harmuth “Canon Harmuth” in honor of his character and dedication to the church.

“Canon means ‘measure,’ and we made people canons when they become a measure of what we expect a priest to be,” Bishop Stanton explained. “Father Harmuth is in every respect a model of what a priest should be.”

Father Harmuth’s favorite hymn, Amazing Grace, was sung by the students during the recessional.

Father Harmuth joined the Episcopal School of Dallas community in 1998 as the Lower School Chaplain. He also helps the clergy at Saint Michael and All Angels Church. Ordained on May 4, 1963, Father Harmuth has also served as Chaplain to the Tactical Division of the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Division of the F.B.I. He also provided care and comfort at Ground Zero and at the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy.