William Appleton Lawrence
Encyclopedia
William Appleton Lawrence (1889–1968) was the third Bishop
of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
(1937–57). His father, William Lawrence, was the seventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
(1893–1927).
Lawrence was the grandson of the notable abolitionist Amos Adams Lawrence
and a member of an influential Boston family
, founded by his great-great-grandfather and American revolutionary Samuel Lawrence
. His great-grandfather was the noted philanthropist Amos Lawrence
.
, as was the tradition in his family. In 1925, he was elected as the third bishop to the newly formed Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and, in 1929, he earned his Doctor of Divinity
degree from Harvard Divinity School
.
In 1938, Lawrence created the first diocesan council and recommended that lay employees be included under social security. Then, in 1946, he established Camp Bement, which was closed by the diocese in 2009.
In his retirement, Lawrence developed what is known today as the Clergy Deployment Office.
Lawrence's brother, Frederic C. Lawrence
, was suffragan bishop
of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts (1956–68).
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...
of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the five western counties of Massachusetts. Formed from a division of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, it was officially recognized at the organizing convention of...
(1937–57). His father, William Lawrence, was the seventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Episcopal Diocese of MassachusettsThe Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is one of the nine original dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America....
(1893–1927).
Lawrence was the grandson of the notable abolitionist Amos Adams Lawrence
Amos Adams Lawrence
Amos Adams Lawrence , the son of famed philanthropist Amos Lawrence, was a key figure in the United States abolition movement in the years leading up to the Civil War, and instrumental in the establishment of the University of Kansas and Lawrence University in Appleton,...
and a member of an influential Boston family
Boston Brahmin
Boston Brahmins are wealthy Yankee families characterized by a highly discreet and inconspicuous life style. Based in and around Boston, they form an integral part of the historic core of the East Coast establishment...
, founded by his great-great-grandfather and American revolutionary Samuel Lawrence
Samuel Lawrence
Samuel Lawrence was a Canadian politician and trade unionist.Lawrence was born in Somerset, England and went to work in a quarry at the age of 12 and became a shop steward in the mason's union at the age of 17. He entered politics running for election in Battersea in London. Known as "Mr...
. His great-grandfather was the noted philanthropist Amos Lawrence
Amos Lawrence
Amos Lawrence, was an American merchant and philanthropist.-Biography:...
.
Education and career
Lawrence graduated from Harvard CollegeHarvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
, as was the tradition in his family. In 1925, he was elected as the third bishop to the newly formed Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and, in 1929, he earned his Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
degree from Harvard Divinity School
Harvard Divinity School
Harvard Divinity School is one of the constituent schools of Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States. The School's mission is to train and educate its students either in the academic study of religion, or for the practice of a religious ministry or other public...
.
In 1938, Lawrence created the first diocesan council and recommended that lay employees be included under social security. Then, in 1946, he established Camp Bement, which was closed by the diocese in 2009.
In his retirement, Lawrence developed what is known today as the Clergy Deployment Office.
Lawrence's brother, Frederic C. Lawrence
Frederic C. Lawrence
Frederic C. Lawrence , was suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts . Frederic's father, William Lawrence, was the seventh bishop of the diocese ....
, was suffragan bishop
Suffragan bishop
A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or diocesan bishop. He or she may be assigned to an area which does not have a cathedral of its own.-Anglican Communion:...
of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts (1956–68).
External links
- Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts - official website