 In addition, from 1952 to 1955 he served as Deacon at the nearby Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, during the Deanship of the later controversial Bishop of California James A. Pike.On May 31, 1954, "The New York Times" highlighted one of his cathedral sermons in an article "Worship Of Ideals Held Destructive".Cherbonnier received praise for his efforts early in his career.