James Stuart Wetmore
Encyclopedia
James Stuart Wetmore or J. Stuart Wetmore (born October 22, 1915 in Hampton
, New Brunswick
, Canada
; died December 28, 1999 in Poughkeepsie
, New York
) was a U.S. Episcopal Bishop
in New York.
Wetmore was a direct descendant of Reverend James Wetmore, who served as founder and rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Rye, New York 1723-1760.
Son of Charles Talbot and Alberta Mae Wetmore, he became a deacon
in 1938 and was ordained a priest
in 1939 for the Diocese of New Brunswick of the Anglican Church of Canada
.
in 1953, serving as Director of Christian Education of the Diocese of New York until 1960.
He was named a Canon of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York in 1959 and was elected and ordained suffragan bishop in 1960. He is noted for serving longer than any other in that capacity, for twenty-seven years.
in 1968. Additionally, he chaired the diocesan Ecumenical Commission from 1969 to 1988, and was a founding director of the Council of Churches of the City of New York from 1960 to 1988. He also served as Director of the Council of Churches of New York State from 1965 to 1968.
Wetmore served as Chair of the committee that oversaw the construction and functioning of the Protestant and Orthodox Pavilion at the New York World's Fair of 1964-65. One of his key contributions was successfully lobbying for the showing of the controversial short film, "Parable" at the Pavilion, instead of the proposed dramatic readings from famous sermons.
Hampton, New Brunswick
Hampton is a Canadian town in Kings County, New Brunswick.Located on the Kennebecasis River 30 kilometres northeast of Saint John, Hampton is the shire town of Kings County...
, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
; died December 28, 1999 in Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
) was a U.S. Episcopal Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
in New York.
Wetmore was a direct descendant of Reverend James Wetmore, who served as founder and rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Rye, New York 1723-1760.
Son of Charles Talbot and Alberta Mae Wetmore, he became a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in 1938 and was ordained a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in 1939 for the Diocese of New Brunswick of the Anglican Church of Canada
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
.
Early career
His Canadian assignments included Field Secretary and General Secretary of the General Board of Religious Education. He traveled constantly through Eastern Canada and Newfoundland, building up local Christian formation programs and stimulating the creation of regional programs such as Camp Medley in Upper Gagetown, New Brunswick. He moved to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1953, serving as Director of Christian Education of the Diocese of New York until 1960.
He was named a Canon of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York in 1959 and was elected and ordained suffragan bishop in 1960. He is noted for serving longer than any other in that capacity, for twenty-seven years.
Health Issues
In 1963, Wetmore collapsed at a Christmas service at the Cathedral and was taken to the hospital. Although the immediate diagnosis was heat exhaustion, the medical examination revealed that he was suffering from cancer of the larynx. After surgery to remove the cancer, Wetmore had to cope for the rest of his ministry with a voice which was faint and hoarse. For several years he made use of his own portable sound system, as voice amplification was rare in smaller churches in the diocese at that time, to continue to be able to preach and lead worship.Interfaith Ministry
Wetmore was also known for his interfaith work. He became the first non-Roman Catholic to preach from the pulpit of St. Patrick's CathedralSt. Patrick's Cathedral, New York
The Cathedral of St. Patrick is a decorated Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral church in the United States...
in 1968. Additionally, he chaired the diocesan Ecumenical Commission from 1969 to 1988, and was a founding director of the Council of Churches of the City of New York from 1960 to 1988. He also served as Director of the Council of Churches of New York State from 1965 to 1968.
Wetmore served as Chair of the committee that oversaw the construction and functioning of the Protestant and Orthodox Pavilion at the New York World's Fair of 1964-65. One of his key contributions was successfully lobbying for the showing of the controversial short film, "Parable" at the Pavilion, instead of the proposed dramatic readings from famous sermons.