John Seville Higgins

John Seville Higgins (April 14, 1904 - December 28, 1992) was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, serving from 1953 to 1954 as coadjutor and from 1955 to 1972 as diocesan.

The Right Reverend

John Seville Higgins

D.D.
Bishop of Rhode Island
ChurchEpiscopal church
DioceseRhode Island
In office1955-1972
PredecessorGranville Gaylord Bennett
SuccessorFrederick H. Belden
Orders
OrdinationNovember 1, 1931
by George Craig Stewart
ConsecrationFebruary 4, 1953
by Henry Knox Sherrill
Personal details
Born(1904-04-14)April 14, 1904
London, England
DiedDecember 28, 1992(1992-12-28) (aged 88)
BuriedSaint Johns Cemetery, Providence, Rhode Island
NationalityEnglish
DenominationAnglican
ParentsHerbert Higgins & Alice Caroline Browne
SpouseFlorence Marion Laird
Previous postCoadjutor Bishop of Rhode Island (1953-1955)

Biography

Higgins was born on April 14, 1904 in London, England. He studied at Oberlin College and graduated in 1928. He trained for the ordained ministry at the Western Theological Seminary and graduated in 1931. He was ordained deacon on May 1, 1931, and priest on November 1 of the same year. He served parishes in Nevada, Illinois and Minnesota and in 1948 became rector of St Martin's Church in Providence, Rhode Island.

He was elected Bishop Coadjutor of Rhode Island in November 1952 and consecrated on February 4, 1953 by Presiding Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill. He succeeded Granville Bennett as diocesan Bishop of Rhode Island on January 1, 1955. During his time as bishop, particularly in the 50s, the diocese experienced rapid growth. Bishop Higgins was also instrumental in rebuilding of the diocesan headquarters in Providence. His spirit of ecumenism was effective in creating the Rhode Island State Council of Churches. He retired on June 1, 1972 and died 20 years later in 1992.

References


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