Cornelius Tarplee was born in LeRoy, New York, on Just 29, 1911.  After graduating with his Bachelor of Science from the University of Virginia, where he was on the Varsity swimming team, he studied theology at Virginia Theological Seminary.  In 1936, he graduated with his Bachelor of Divinity and was ordained a priest the following year.

For the first three years of his priesthood, Tarplee served at St. Mary’s Church in Green Cove Springs, Florida; St. Margaret’s Church in Hibernia, Florida; and Grace Church in Orange Park, Florida.  From 1939 to 1942, he served Christ Church in Monticello, Florida; St. Clement’s Church in Lloyd, Florida; and St. James’ Church in Perry, Florida before being called to Charleston, West Virginia, where he served as rector of Zion Church (1942-1944 and 1946-1950). This service was interrupted by the United States’ entry into World War Two, during which Tarplee was a chaplain in the United States Naval Reserve.

In 1950, Tarplee assumed the role of rector at St. Paul’s Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.  During this time, he began working with other pro-integration Episcopalians in the South and with national organization of The Episcopal Church.  In 1957, he left St. Paul’s to assume a position as an Associate Secretary in the Department of Christian Social Relations.  Two years later, in 1959, he joined the Reverends John Morris and Arthur Walmsley in establishing the Episcopal Society for Cultural and Racial Unity (ESCRU) with the goal of ending racial discrimination in The Episcopal Church.  He worked for both organizations until his death in 1970.