John Poyntz Tyler
Encyclopedia
The Right Rev. John Poyntz Tyler, D.D. (June 15, 1862–June 27, 1931), described “as a great preacher and pastor to people” was the fourth Episcopal Bishop of North Dakota
and served from 1914 to his death in 1931. Born to privilege, John Poyntz Tyler was the son of Jane T. (Blake) Tyler and Dr. Wat H. Tyler, M.D., of Hanover County, Virginia. Dr. Tyler was the nephew of President John Tyler
.
; Bushrod Washington
; George Eskridge; Mary Ball
; and Robert Carter
. During the next century, Nomini Church fell into decay and was then rebuilt. The Yeocomico Church of the same parish was also restored. A rectory was established in Hague, Virginia. This became the parish center. A chapel served Hague. St. James’ Church served Tidwells on the river. Both John Brockenbrough Newton and John Poyntz Tyler were raised in this parish, and became Epsicopal bishops. When later the Archdeacon of Virginia, John Poyntz Tyler would found the Association for the Preservation of Yeocomico Church (1906), just prior to becoming Rector, Saint John’s Church (Hagertown, Maryland).
Tyler graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary
in 1888, from which he took his doctorate in divinity in 1914. He married Ada Rodrick in 1890 and they had six children: Mary, Jane, Blake, Ada Rodrick, Wat Henry, and John Poyntz. His early ministry served his native Virginia, being elevated to deacon in 1888 and consecrated as priest in 1889, both occurring at Prince Edward Parish Church. Between 1888 and 1891, Tyler was in charge of Westover Parish, Charles City County, Virginia
. In 1891, Tyler became Rector, Christ Church, Millwood, successor to the “Old Chapel”. The “Old Chapel” (1702) was the first Episcopal house of worship west of the Blue Ridge. In the 1840s, the congregation outgrew the "Old Chapel" and built Christ Church at Millwood, Virginia
. During this period, many Episcopal churches from the southern Shenandoah Valley out into the former Virginia jurisdiction now known as “West Virginia” were established by the Rt. Rev. William Meade
, third Bishop of Virginia, and fifth rector of Christ Church, Millwood. The parish had been named "Frederick," for the Virginia county from which it was formed (1733). Poyntz served until 1895.
Following assignment to Christ Church, Millwood, Tyler was rector of St. Paul’s Church at Greenville, Ohio
for 1895-96 and the Church of the Advent, Philadelphia (1896–1904). In 1904, he was appointed Archdeacon of Virginia, a position in which he served until 1907. Leaving Richmond in 1907, Tyler took the position of Rector, Saint John’s Church (Hagerstown, Maryland)
and Archdeacon of Cumberland. He served at Hagerstown until January 6, 1914, when he was consecrated missionary Bishop of North Dakota at Saint John’s Church. In the interim, he was elected Archdeacon of Alabama and Southern Virginia (positions he declined).
of heart disease two weeks later on July 27, 1931.
Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota
The Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America with jurisdiction over the state of North Dakota plus Clay County, Minnesota. It has 22 congregations in North Dakota and one in Clay County, Minnesota. It is in Province VI and its...
and served from 1914 to his death in 1931. Born to privilege, John Poyntz Tyler was the son of Jane T. (Blake) Tyler and Dr. Wat H. Tyler, M.D., of Hanover County, Virginia. Dr. Tyler was the nephew of President John Tyler
John Tyler
John Tyler was the tenth President of the United States . A native of Virginia, Tyler served as a state legislator, governor, U.S. representative, and U.S. senator before being elected Vice President . He was the first to succeed to the office of President following the death of a predecessor...
.
Early Life & Career
John Ponytz Tyler was raised in Cople Parish, Virginia. Cople Parish (1664) is coterminous with Cople District, southwestern Westmoreland County. Before formation, the area was part of Nomini Parish (1653). Among Cople’s vestry and leading parishioners were Richard Henry LeeRichard Henry Lee
Richard Henry Lee was an American statesman from Virginia best known for the motion in the Second Continental Congress calling for the colonies' independence from Great Britain. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and his famous resolution of June 1776 led to the United States...
; Bushrod Washington
Bushrod Washington
Bushrod Washington was a U.S. Supreme Court associate justice and the nephew of George Washington.Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and was the son of John Augustine Washington, brother of the first president. Bushrod attended Delamere, an academy administered by the Rev....
; George Eskridge; Mary Ball
Mary Ball
Mary Ball was an Irish naturalist and entomologist most noted for her studies of Odonata and for her discovery of the curious phenomenon of stridulation in aquatic bugs....
; and Robert Carter
Robert Carter I
Robert "King" Carter , of Lancaster County, was a colonist in Virginia and became one of the wealthiest men in the colonies....
. During the next century, Nomini Church fell into decay and was then rebuilt. The Yeocomico Church of the same parish was also restored. A rectory was established in Hague, Virginia. This became the parish center. A chapel served Hague. St. James’ Church served Tidwells on the river. Both John Brockenbrough Newton and John Poyntz Tyler were raised in this parish, and became Epsicopal bishops. When later the Archdeacon of Virginia, John Poyntz Tyler would found the Association for the Preservation of Yeocomico Church (1906), just prior to becoming Rector, Saint John’s Church (Hagertown, Maryland).
Tyler graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary
Virginia Theological Seminary
Virginia Theological Seminary , formally called the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia, is the largest accredited Episcopal seminary in the United States. Founded in 1818, VTS is situated on an campus in Alexandria, Virginia, just a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. VTS...
in 1888, from which he took his doctorate in divinity in 1914. He married Ada Rodrick in 1890 and they had six children: Mary, Jane, Blake, Ada Rodrick, Wat Henry, and John Poyntz. His early ministry served his native Virginia, being elevated to deacon in 1888 and consecrated as priest in 1889, both occurring at Prince Edward Parish Church. Between 1888 and 1891, Tyler was in charge of Westover Parish, Charles City County, Virginia
Charles City County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,926 people, 2,670 households, and 1,975 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 2,895 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile...
. In 1891, Tyler became Rector, Christ Church, Millwood, successor to the “Old Chapel”. The “Old Chapel” (1702) was the first Episcopal house of worship west of the Blue Ridge. In the 1840s, the congregation outgrew the "Old Chapel" and built Christ Church at Millwood, Virginia
Millwood, Virginia
Millwood is an unincorporated town located in Clarke County, Virginia, USA. Millwood is the home of many of Clarke County's most historic sites including the Burwell-Morgan Mill , Carter Hall , the Greenway Historic District, Long Branch plantation , Old Chapel , and the River House.-Google Earth...
. During this period, many Episcopal churches from the southern Shenandoah Valley out into the former Virginia jurisdiction now known as “West Virginia” were established by the Rt. Rev. William Meade
William Meade
William Meade , was a United States Episcopal bishop.The son of Richard Kidder Meade , one of George Washington's aides during the War of Independence, he was born near Millwood, in what is now Clarke County, Virginia. He graduated as valedictorian in 1808 at the college of New Jersey ; studied...
, third Bishop of Virginia, and fifth rector of Christ Church, Millwood. The parish had been named "Frederick," for the Virginia county from which it was formed (1733). Poyntz served until 1895.
Following assignment to Christ Church, Millwood, Tyler was rector of St. Paul’s Church at Greenville, Ohio
Greenville, Ohio
Greenville is a city in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 13,227 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Darke County.-History:Greenville is the historic location of Fort Greene Ville,Greenville is a city in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 13,227 at...
for 1895-96 and the Church of the Advent, Philadelphia (1896–1904). In 1904, he was appointed Archdeacon of Virginia, a position in which he served until 1907. Leaving Richmond in 1907, Tyler took the position of Rector, Saint John’s Church (Hagerstown, Maryland)
Saint John's Church (Hagerstown, Maryland)
St. John's Church, or St. John's Episcopal Church, founded in 1786, is an historic Episcopal church located at 101 South Prospect Street in the South Prospect Street Historic District of Hagerstown, Maryland...
and Archdeacon of Cumberland. He served at Hagerstown until January 6, 1914, when he was consecrated missionary Bishop of North Dakota at Saint John’s Church. In the interim, he was elected Archdeacon of Alabama and Southern Virginia (positions he declined).
Service as Bishop, North Dakota
Arriving in Fargo, North Dakota during the Winter 1913-1914, Bishop Tyler commenced his stewardship of the fledging congregation during a time of expansion. During Tyler’s North Dakota service, the 1919 Episcopal General Convention initiated a national fund increased grants to missionary districts such as Bishop Tyler's, which qualified for funding during 1920-21. Episcopalians began to match the missionary efforts of the Presbyterians, Methodists, and Congregationalists. Despite the national funding, a severe agricultural depression followed a series of severe droughts. Farm prices depressed as the cost of manufactured products rose. Bankruptcies and bank failures increased. The number of North Dakotan Episcopal institutions was modest due to the lack of money and leadership. However, despite the economic hardship, John Poyntz Tyler was successful in founding several. In Valley City, North Dakota, a home for young women attending Normal School was opened in Church Hall. Pelican Lake property was purchased in western Minnesota to serve as the Samuel C. Edsall Holiday House (a camp, retreat and conference center). Bishop Tyler also supported The Girl's Friendly Society, which grew to 20 societies totaling 200 communicants by 1924. More impressive, Tyler reduced the indebtedness of the Diocese. As was said after his death, “[s]ome part of the tenacity of the churches in this large sea of Lutherans and Catholics can be credited to Bishop Tyler's success in instilling in members a sense of their worth and mission.”Death
On July 13, 1931, Bishop Tyler retired from active service to the Diocese. He died at Fargo, North DakotaFargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
of heart disease two weeks later on July 27, 1931.
See also
- Tractarianism