Henry Washington Lee
Encyclopedia
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. He also served as Provisional Bishop of Nebraska
from 1857–1859 and the Provisional Bishop of Kansas
, 1860-64.
, but the family soon moved to Springfield, Massachusetts
, where he grew up and was educated. He was ordained a deacon at Grace Church in New Bedford, Massachusetts
and a priest in the Episcopal Church by the Rt. Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold
in October, 1839. That same year he married Lydia Mason Morton of Tauton, Massachusetts. They raised two sons and a daughter. He spent four years as rector
of Christ Church in Springfield, and eleven years as rector of St. Luke's Church in Rochester
, New York
. He received a Doctor of Divinity
degree from Hobart College
in 1850, and the University of Rochester
in 1852. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws
from the University of Cambridge
, England
in 1867.
on June 1, 1854, and he was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hopkins
of Vermont
, Samuel Allen McCoskry
of Michigan
and William Heathcote DeLancey
of Western New York
on October 18, 1854 in St. Luke's Church, Rochester. The bishops from Massachusetts
, Maine
, and Illinois were also in attendance. Bishop Lee was the 61st Episcopal bishop consecrated in the United States, and represented the Evangelical wing of the church.
Before Bishop Lee arrived in Iowa he visited several large and wealthy churches on the east coast and solicited necessary funds for his new diocese. He then made a visitation of the principal churches of his diocese and then took up residence in Davenport
. There were at the time 200 Episcopalians in the state. He invested money he had obtained from donors in the eastern United States by purchasing six thousand acres (24 km²) of land. With the sale of this land over time he was able to build an episcopal residence and start Griswold College in Davenport. The diocese was also able to realize an endowment of $53,000.
Bishop Lee’s hard work in Iowa was recognized by the national church. He played an active role on the Board of Missions. Lee was also selected to serve as Provisional Bishop of Nebraska from 1857–1859 and he served as Provisional Bishop of Kansas from 1860 to 1864.
Lee was bishop during the American Civil War
(1861-165) and he refused to make a public statement or even discuss the matter in private. He also urged those who attended the diocesan convention to do likewise. Lee did, however, preach to the Union soldiers at Camp McClellan
and Camp Hendershoot at Davenport, as well as the Confederate prisoners of war at Rock Island
. Through an interpreter he also preached to members of the Dakota Tribe who were held prisoner in Davenport following the New Ulm Uprising
in Minnesota
.
In 1867 Bishop Lee made a trip to Europe
to attend the first Lambeth Conference. While he was there he preached in some of the largest churches in England, Ireland
and France
. That same year he laid the cornerstone
for Grace Cathedral
, later renamed Trinity Cathedral
, in Davenport. He lived long enough to see the church completed in 1873, but without its steeple
. It was one of the first cathedrals built by the Episcopal Church in the United States.
Bishop Lee died at his home in Davenport on September 26, 1874. His funeral was held in Grace Cathedral and he was laid to rest in Oakdale Cemetery
in Davenport.
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 1854-1874. He also served as Provisional Bishop of Nebraska
Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska
The Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America with jurisdiction over the state of Nebraska, except for two congregations which are in the Santee Mission of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota. It is in Province VI. Its cathedral, Trinity...
from 1857–1859 and the Provisional Bishop of Kansas
Episcopal Diocese of Kansas
The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, created in 1859, is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America with jurisdiction over eastern Kansas. It is in Province 7 and its cathedral, Grace Cathedral, is in Topeka, as are the diocesan offices....
, 1860-64.
Early life & Ministry
Lee was born in Hamden, ConnecticutHamden, Connecticut
Hamden is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town's nickname is "The Land of the Sleeping Giant." Hamden is home to Quinnipiac University. The population was 58,180 according to the Census Bureau's 2005 estimates...
, but the family soon moved to Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, where he grew up and was educated. He was ordained a deacon at Grace Church in New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
and a priest in the Episcopal Church by the Rt. Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold
Alexander Viets Griswold
Alexander Viets Griswold was the Episcopal Bishop of the Eastern Diocese, which included all of New England with the exception of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut....
in October, 1839. That same year he married Lydia Mason Morton of Tauton, Massachusetts. They raised two sons and a daughter. He spent four years as rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Christ Church in Springfield, and eleven years as rector of St. Luke's Church in Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He received 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....
degree from 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...
in 1850, and the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
in 1852. He received an honorary 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...
from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, 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...
in 1867.
Bishop of Iowa
Dr. Lee was elected the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of IowaEpiscopal 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...
on June 1, 1854, and he was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hopkins
John Henry Hopkins
John Henry Hopkins was the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont and was the eighth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.-Early life and career:...
of Vermont
Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the state of Vermont. It was the first diocese in the Episcopal Church to elect a woman, Mary Adelia McLeod, as diocesan bishop....
, Samuel Allen McCoskry
Samuel Allen McCoskry
Samuel Allen McCoskry , was the first bishop of Michigan in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, but was deposed by the House of Bishops.-Biography:...
of Michigan
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan is the Episcopal diocese in the southeast part of Michigan.The diocese traces its roots to the founding of St. Paul's, Detroit in 1824. It became a diocese of the Episcopal Church in 1836, one year before the State of Michigan entered the Union. It covered the...
and William Heathcote DeLancey
William Heathcote DeLancey
The Right Reverend William Heathcote DeLancey was a bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the sixth Provost of the University of Pennsylvania...
of Western New York
Episcopal Diocese of Western New York
The Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America with jurisdiction over the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming in western New York. It is in Province 2 and its cathedral, St. Paul's...
on October 18, 1854 in St. Luke's Church, Rochester. The bishops from Massachusetts
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Episcopal Diocese of MassachusettsThe Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is one of the nine original dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America....
, Maine
Episcopal Diocese of Maine
The Episcopal Diocese of Maine is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and encompasses the entire State of Maine. It is part of the Province of New England - Province I of the ECUSA...
, and Illinois were also in attendance. Bishop Lee was the 61st Episcopal bishop consecrated in the United States, and represented the Evangelical wing of the church.
Before Bishop Lee arrived in Iowa he visited several large and wealthy churches on the east coast and solicited necessary funds for his new diocese. He then made a visitation of the principal churches of his diocese and then took up residence 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...
. There were at the time 200 Episcopalians in the state. He invested money he had obtained from donors in the eastern United States by purchasing six thousand acres (24 km²) of land. With the sale of this land over time he was able to build an episcopal residence and start Griswold College in Davenport. The diocese was also able to realize an endowment of $53,000.
Bishop Lee’s hard work in Iowa was recognized by the national church. He played an active role on the Board of Missions. Lee was also selected to serve as Provisional Bishop of Nebraska from 1857–1859 and he served as Provisional Bishop of Kansas from 1860 to 1864.
Lee was bishop during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
(1861-165) and he refused to make a public statement or even discuss the matter in private. He also urged those who attended the diocesan convention to do likewise. Lee did, however, preach to the Union soldiers at Camp McClellan
Camp McClellan (Iowa)
Camp McClellan is a former Union Army camp in the U.S. state of Iowa that was established in Davenport in August 1861 after the outbreak of the American Civil War. The camp was the training grounds for recruits and a hospital for the wounded. In 1863 it became a prison camp called Camp Kearney...
and Camp Hendershoot at Davenport, as well as the Confederate prisoners of war at Rock Island
Rock Island Arsenal
The Rock Island Arsenal comprises , located on Arsenal Island, originally known as Rock Island, on the Mississippi River between the cities of Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. It lies within the state of Illinois. The island was originally established as a government site in 1816, with...
. Through an interpreter he also preached to members of the Dakota Tribe who were held prisoner in Davenport following the New Ulm Uprising
Battles of New Ulm
In 1851, the Santee Sioux Indians of Minnesota had been forced to cede to the government their hunting ground of . In 1852, they were corralled into a reservation on the Minnesota River. In 1858, they were swindled of half that land...
in Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
.
In 1867 Bishop Lee made a trip to Europe
Europe
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 attend the first Lambeth Conference. While he was there he preached in some of the largest churches in England, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. That same year he laid the cornerstone
Cornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
for Grace Cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
, later renamed Trinity 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...
, in Davenport. He lived long enough to see the church completed in 1873, but without its steeple
Steeple (architecture)
A steeple, in architecture, is a tall tower on a building, often topped by a spire. Steeples are very common on Christian churches and cathedrals and the use of the term generally connotes a religious structure...
. It was one of the first cathedrals built by the Episcopal Church in the United States.
Bishop Lee died at his home in Davenport on September 26, 1874. His funeral was held in Grace Cathedral and he was laid to rest in Oakdale Cemetery
Oakdale Memorial Gardens
Oakdale Memorial Gardens, formerly Oakdale Cemetery, is located in east-central Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was established in 1856 and designed by Captain George F. de la Roche, who had finished the design of Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C. five years earlier. It is considered a...
in Davenport.
External links
- Documents by Henry Washington Lee 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...