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 | |
| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | Quincy |
| Elected | 1973 |
| In office | 1973-1988 |
| Predecessor | Francis Lickfield |
| Successor | Edward Harding MacBurney |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | October 6, 1946 by Arthur R. McKinstry |
| Consecration | September 8, 1973 by John E. Hines |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 28, 1922 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | January 4, 2016 (aged 93) Peoria, Illinois, United States |
| Buried | Nashotah House Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | Earl Parsons, Helen Drabble |
| Spouse | Mary Russell |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Temple 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
- "Parsons, Donald James". Who's Who in the Midwest: 492. 1990.
- "Parsons, Donald James". Stowe's Clerical Directory of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America: 35. 1953.
- "Who's Who in Religion". Who's Who in the Midwest: 288. 1985.
- "Donald J. Parsons Consecrated Bishop of Quincy", Diocesan Press Service, 10 September 1973. Retrieved on 2 September 2020.
- "RIP: Former Quincy Bishop Donald Parsons", Episcopal News Service, 20 January 2016. Retrieved on 2 September 2020.
- Episcopal Clerical Directory, 2015
External links