William Stevens Perry
Encyclopedia
William Stevens Perry was a 19th century bishop
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America and an educator
. He served as the second bishop of the Diocese of Iowa
from 1876 - 1898.
, studied at Brown University
, but took his degree from Harvard
in 1854. He studied theology
at Virginia Theological Seminary
before finishing his studies privately. He was ordained a deacon at Grace Church in Newton, Massachusetts
and a priest (1858) at St. Paul's
, Boston, where he spent the first year of his ministry. His succeeding charges were in St. Luke’s Church Nashua, New Hampshire
, St. Stephen’s Church Portland, Maine
, St. Michael’s Church Litchfield, Connecticut
, and Trinity Church Geneva, New York
.
He taught history at Hobart College
for several years and served the institution as president from April to September, 1876, when he was consecrated Bishop of Iowa.
for girls, Kemper Hall for boys, and Lee Hall for training candidates for orders. Several other schools were founded throughout the diocese. Some of the schools were parish based while others were sponsored by the diocese.
Bishop Perry reformed the vestries in the diocese, and reduced the number parishes by removing the ones that did not function on a regular basis, if at all. Grace Cathedral
had been completed by his predecessor, Bishop Henry Washington Lee
, but it was up to Perry to establish the administration. He named the Very Rev. Willis H. Barris as Dean and a Chapter
based on the English model. He gave a report on the model at the Anglican Congress in London
while he attended the Lambeth Conference.
In the 1884 Diocesan Convention Bishop Perry proposed goals that embraced the Social Gospel
Movement that was popular at the time. As a result three hospitals were founded during his episcopate: Cottage Hospital in Des Moines, St. Luke's Hospital
in Cedar Rapids
and St. Luke's Hospital
in Davenport
. A Home for the Friendless, supported by J.M. Griffith, was begun in Dubuque
and a Home for the Friendless
was also begun in Davenport by Clarissa C. Cook.
In 1862 he became the Assistant Secretary of the General Convention and became Secretary in 1868. He attended the Third Lambeth Conference in 1888 and the Fourth in 1897.
to recuperate. While he was on visitation to Northeast Iowa, Bishop Perry suffered a paralytic stroke
on May 12, 1898 and died the following day. His funeral was held in St. John’s Church in Dubuque and he was buried in the churchyard of the Church of St. James the Less
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
from Trinity College
in Dublin, and the College of William and Mary
awarded him a Doctor of Laws
in 1876. Oxford University awarded him a Doctor of Divinity
in 1888 when he was in England
for the Lambeth Conference.
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 Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America and an educator
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. He served as the second bishop of the Diocese of Iowa
Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America which covers all of Iowa. It is in Province VI. Its offices are in Des Moines, and it has two cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of St...
from 1876 - 1898.
Early life & Ministry
He was born at Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, studied at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, but took his degree from Harvard
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1854. He studied theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at Virginia Theological Seminary
Virginia Theological Seminary
Virginia Theological Seminary , formally called the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia, is the largest accredited Episcopal seminary in the United States. Founded in 1818, VTS is situated on an campus in Alexandria, Virginia, just a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. VTS...
before finishing his studies privately. He was ordained a deacon at Grace Church in Newton, Massachusetts
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
and a priest (1858) at St. Paul's
Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston is the historic cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. Located at 138 Tremont Street near Downtown Crossing, directly across from Boston Common and Park Street Station, the cathedral is adjacent to the diocesan offices. The current dean...
, Boston, where he spent the first year of his ministry. His succeeding charges were in St. Luke’s Church Nashua, New Hampshire
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
, St. Stephen’s Church Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, St. Michael’s Church Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield is a town in and former county seat of Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States, and is known as an affluent summer resort. The population was 8,316 at the 2000 census. The boroughs of Bantam and Litchfield are located within the town...
, and Trinity Church Geneva, New York
Geneva, New York
Geneva is a city in Ontario and Seneca counties in the U.S. state of New York. The population was 13,617 at the 2000 census. Some claim it is named after the city and canton of Geneva in Switzerland. Others believe the name came from confusion over the letters in the word "Seneca" written in cursive...
.
He taught history at Hobart College
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Hobart and William Smith Colleges, located in Geneva, New York, are together a liberal arts college offering Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees. In athletics, however, the two schools compete with separate teams, known as the Hobart Statesmen and the...
for several years and served the institution as president from April to September, 1876, when he was consecrated Bishop of Iowa.
Bishop of Iowa
He did much for the cause of education in his diocese—reopened Griswold College, founded St. Katharine's HallSt. Katherine's Historic District
St. Katherine's Historic District is located on the east side Davenport, Iowa, United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the campus of a former Episcopal girl’s school named St. Katherine’s Hall. It is currently the location of a senior living facility called...
for girls, Kemper Hall for boys, and Lee Hall for training candidates for orders. Several other schools were founded throughout the diocese. Some of the schools were parish based while others were sponsored by the diocese.
Bishop Perry reformed the vestries in the diocese, and reduced the number parishes by removing the ones that did not function on a regular basis, if at all. Grace Cathedral
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Davenport, Iowa)
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is the historic cathedral in the Diocese of Iowa. The cathedral is located on the bluff overlooking Downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974...
had been completed by his predecessor, Bishop Henry Washington Lee
Henry Washington Lee
Henry Washington Lee was a 19th century bishop in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He served as the first Bishop of Iowa from 1854-1874...
, but it was up to Perry to establish the administration. He named the Very Rev. Willis H. Barris as Dean and a Chapter
Chapter (religion)
Chapter designates certain corporate ecclesiastical bodies in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Nordic Lutheran churches....
based on the English model. He gave a report on the model at the Anglican Congress in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
while he attended the Lambeth Conference.
In the 1884 Diocesan Convention Bishop Perry proposed goals that embraced the Social Gospel
Social Gospel
The Social Gospel movement is a Protestant Christian intellectual movement that was most prominent in the early 20th century United States and Canada...
Movement that was popular at the time. As a result three hospitals were founded during his episcopate: Cottage Hospital in Des Moines, St. Luke's Hospital
St. Luke's Hospital (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
St. Luke’s is a 560-bed hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was founded in 1884 as Cedar Rapids’ first hospital and is now one of two hospitals in Cedar Rapids, the other being Mercy Medical Center. St. Luke’s emergency department treats nearly 50,000 patients each year and the most cases of trauma...
in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
and St. Luke's Hospital
St. Luke's Hospital (Davenport, Iowa)
St. Luke's Hospital is a former hospital building located on a bluff overlooking downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties and on the National Register of Historic Places.-History:...
in Davenport
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
. A Home for the Friendless, supported by J.M. Griffith, was begun in Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
and a Home for the Friendless
Clarissa Cook Home for the Friendless
Clarissa Cook Home for the Friendless is located at 2223 W. 1st Street, Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.- Ebenezer and Clarissa Cook :...
was also begun in Davenport by Clarissa C. Cook.
In 1862 he became the Assistant Secretary of the General Convention and became Secretary in 1868. He attended the Third Lambeth Conference in 1888 and the Fourth in 1897.
Later life & Death
Bishop Perry was in poor health the latter part of his life and took several trips to EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
to recuperate. While he was on visitation to Northeast Iowa, Bishop Perry suffered a paralytic stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
on May 12, 1898 and died the following day. His funeral was held in St. John’s Church in Dubuque and he was buried in the churchyard of the Church of St. James the Less
Church of St. James the Less
The Church of St. James the Less is a historic Episcopal church building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was architecturally influential. As St...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
Honors
Perry received several honorary degrees. In 1869 he received a Doctor of Sacred TheologyDoctor of Sacred Theology
The Doctor of Sacred Theology is the final theological degree in the pontifical university system of the Catholic Church....
from Trinity College
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
in Dublin, and the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
awarded him a Doctor of Laws
Legum Doctor
Legum Doctor is a doctorate-level academic degree in law, or an honorary doctorate, depending on the jurisdiction. The double L in the abbreviation refers to the early practice in the University of Cambridge to teach both Canon Law and Civil Law, the double L indicating the plural, Doctor of both...
in 1876. Oxford University awarded him a 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....
in 1888 when he was in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
for the Lambeth Conference.
Writings
Among his writings are:- Documentary History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (1863–1864), with Dr. F. L. HawksFrancis L. HawksDr. Francis Lister Hawks was an American priest of the Episcopal Church, and a politician in North Carolina....
- Historical Collections of the American Colonial Church (five volumes, 1871–1878)
- Historical Notes and Documents Illustrating the Organization of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America (1874)
- Historical Sketch of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 1784–1884 (1884)
External links
- Documents by and about William Stevens Perry from Project CanterburyProject CanterburyProject Canterbury is an online archive of material related to the history of Anglicanism. It was founded by Richard Mammana, Jr. in 1999, and is hosted by the non-profit Society of Archbishop Justus...