The Rt. Rev. Lauriston Livingston Scaife, a moderate High Churchman, was elected as the seventh Bishop of Western New York on January 20, 1948, after a compromise candidate elected in October refused the position. His consecration followed on May 13. Representatives from every Protestant Church in Buffalo attended the service.

Scaife “looked” like a bishop. Though he had the voice of an orator and a tall, imposing presence, he was a friendly man with a lively sense of humor. As bishop, Scaife was a frequent celebrant at the Cathedral. He was a devoted pastor to his clergy. Once, the daughter of a diocesan priest became seriously ill and required expensive medical treatment. When the priest went to pay the bill, the hospital informed him that the balance had been paid in full by Bishop Scaife.

Scaife had the good fortune of being bishop during the postwar boom. In 1950 Mrs. Marjorie M. McKinley presented the Diocese with the gift of a residence at 1114 Delaware Avenue. The property serves to this day as the home of the Diocesan offices. During this same period, an anonymous benefactor donated $250,000 for the Episcopacy Endowment.

During the 1950s, Scaife became very active in the ecumenical affairs of both the local and National Church. In 1963, the strength of the Diocese of WNY and its leader was reflected in the attendance at the 125^th Anniversary Celebration. In 1968, Scaife founded Episcopal Charities (now Episcopal Community Services), which originally funded six secular social service agencies.

Bishop Scaife retired on June 1, 1970, and died just three months later on September 19.