Donald J. Parsons

Donald James Parsons (March 28, 1922 – January 4, 2016) was an American Episcopal bishop. He was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy from 1973 to 1988.

The Right Reverend

Donald James Parsons
Bishop of Quincy
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseQuincy
Elected1973
In office1973-1988
PredecessorFrancis Lickfield
SuccessorEdward Harding MacBurney
Orders
OrdinationOctober 6, 1946
by Arthur R. McKinstry
ConsecrationSeptember 8, 1973
by John E. Hines
Personal details
Born(1922-03-28)March 28, 1922
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
DiedJanuary 4, 2016(2016-01-04) (aged 93)
Peoria, Illinois, United States
BuriedNashotah House Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsEarl Parsons, Helen Drabble
SpouseMary Russell
Children3
Alma materTemple University

Early life and education

Parsons was born in Philadelphia on March 28, 1922, the son of Earl Parsons and Helen Drabble. He was educated at Temple University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1943, and at the Philadelphia Divinity School, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Theology in 1946. He was awarded a Doctor of Theology in 1952.[1]

Ordained ministry

Parsons was ordained deacon in February 1946 by Bishop William Remington, suffragan of Pennsylvania, and served as assistant at Holy Trinity Church in Philadelphia. He was ordained priest on October 6, 1946, by Bishop Arthur R. McKinstry of Delaware.[2] He married Mary Russell on September 17, 1955, and together had three children. After ordination, he became curate at Immanuel Church in Wilmington, Delaware, and in 1949 he became rector of St. Peter's Church in Smyrna, Delaware. In 1950, he started teaching theology at Nashotah House, a professorship he held until 1973. He also served as Dean of Nashotah House from 1963 till 1973.[3]

Bishop

In 1973, Parsons was elected Bishop of Quincy and was consecrated as a bishop on September 8, 1973, by Presiding Bishop John E. Hines. He retired in 1988.[4] Later he served as an assisting bishop in the Diocese of Springfield.[5]

Bibliography

  • The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two: A Devotional Commentary (1976)
  • A Lifetime Road to God (1977)
  • In Time - With Jesus

References

  1. "Parsons, Donald James". Who's Who in the Midwest: 492. 1990.
  2. "Parsons, Donald James". Stowe's Clerical Directory of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America: 35. 1953.
  3. "Who's Who in Religion". Who's Who in the Midwest: 288. 1985.
  4. "Donald J. Parsons Consecrated Bishop of Quincy", Diocesan Press Service, 10 September 1973. Retrieved on 2 September 2020.
  5. "RIP: Former Quincy Bishop Donald Parsons", Episcopal News Service, 20 January 2016. Retrieved on 2 September 2020.
  • Episcopal Clerical Directory, 2015


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