William Crittenden

For the United States Army officer, see William Logan Crittenden.

The Right Reverend William Crittenden D.D., LL.D.
Bishop of Erie
Church	Episcopal Church
Diocese	Erie
Elected	April 26, 1952
In office	1952–1973
Predecessor	Harold E. Sawyer
Successor	Donald J. Davis
Orders
Ordination	May 31, 1935 by  Henry Knox Sherrill
Consecration	June 26, 1952 by  Henry Knox Sherrill
Personal details
Born	(1908-06-28)June 28, 1908 New Boston, Pennsylvania, United States
Died	September 8, 2003(2003-09-08) (aged 95) Stokesdale, North Carolina, United States
Nationality	American
Denomination	Anglican
Parents	Ernest H. Crittenden & Susan Beatrice Cook
Spouse	Eleanor Elizabeth Setchel
Children	2
Alma mater	Lafayette College

William K. Crittenden (June 28, 1908 - September 8, 2003) was the fifth Bishop of Erie in The Episcopal Church between 1952 and 1973. ^[1]

Early life and education

Crittenden was born in New Boston, Pennsylvania, on June 28, 1908, the son of Ernest H. Crittenden and Susan Beatrice Cook. ^[2] He was educated at the high school of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. He then studied at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1929. He then worked for the Bell Telephone Company from 1929 to 1933. In 1931 he married Eleanor Elizabeth Setchel and together had two children. In 1936 he graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity from Episcopal Theological Seminary. ^[3] He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity from Lafayette College and a Doctor of Law from Gannon University in 1963, the latter being a recognition by the Roman Catholic Church for his ecumenical work.

Ordained ministry

He was ordained deacon in 1934 and priest a on May 31, 1935, by Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill. Between 1934 and 1935, he served as curate of St Paul's Church in Brookline, Massachusetts, after which he became as vicar of Grace Church in Dalton, Massachusetts, and St Luke's Church in Lanesborough, Massachusetts. In 1939 he became rector of St John's Church in North Adams, Massachusetts, while in 1942 he became chaplain, assistant professor of religion, and assistant to the president at Lafayette College. Between 1945 and 1949 he was the executive secretary of the Division for Youth of the Episcopal Church. ^[4] On December 20, 1949, he became Archdeacon of Southern Ohio, a post he retained till 1952. ^[5]

Episcopacy

Crittenden was elected Bishop of Erie on the third ballot on April 26, 1952, during a special convention. ^[6] He was consecrated in St Paul's Cathedral in Erie, Pennsylvania, on June 26, 1952, by Presiding Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill. He was well known for his ecumenical work throughout his episcopacy. He retired on December 31, 1973, and moved to Mexico in 1974 to teach ethics at the University of Guadalajara. He died on September 8, 2003, in Stokesdale, North Carolina. ^{[7] [8]}

References

1. "Erie Bishop Consecrated". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . June 26, 1952. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
2. "William Crittenden". The Episcopalian. 129: 67. 1964.
3. "Bishop-Elect of Erie Accepts". The Living Church . 124 (19): 5. May 11, 1952.
4. "Rev. William Crittenden Appointed Youth Director". The Living Church . 110 (19): 8. May 13, 1945.
5. "Rev. William Crittenden to become Archdeacon". The Living Church . 119 (20): 18. 13 November 1949.
6. "Sorts and Conditions". The Living Church . 124 (18): 4. May 4, 1952.
7. "Deaths". The Living Church . 227: 18. 28 December 2003.
8. "Obituary". Erie Times News . October 16, 2003.