Alpheus Waters Wilson (February 5, 1834 – November 21, 1916) was an American bishop for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South from 1882 to his death in 1916.

Alpheus Waters Wilson
Wilson in 1914 publication
Born(1834-02-05)February 5, 1834
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
DiedNovember 21, 1916(1916-11-21) (aged 82)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Resting placeLoudon Park Cemetery
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Alma materColumbian University
OccupationClergyman
Spouse
Susan B. Lipscomb
(m. 1857; died 1908)
Children3

Early life

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Alpheus Waters Wilson was born on February 5, 1834, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Cornelia Laurence (née Howland) and Norval Wilson. His father was a preacher and elder of the Methodist Church.[1] Wilson attended public schools in Baltimore and graduated from Columbian University (later George Washington University).[1][2][3]

Career

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In 1853, Wilson was received on trial in Baltimore Conference Methodist Episcopal Church. He served four years as junior preacher and two years as pastor of circuits.[1][2][4] From 1859 to 1870, Wilson was a supernumerary member of the conference. He practiced law sometime during this period.[4] Around 1866, Wilson and the Baltimore Conference moved to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.[4] He founded Trinity Church, the first Southern Methodist church in Baltimore.[3] From 1870 to 1873, Wilson was presiding elder of the Washington District. From 1873 to 1877, he was pastor of Mount Vernon Place Church in Washington City. He was a pastor of Calvary Church in Baltimore from March 1877 to May 1878.[4] In 1878, Wilson was made secretary of the board of missions and in 1882, he was consecrated as a bishop. From 1898 to his death, Wilson was senior bishop, succeeding Bishop John Christian Keener.[1][2] He also served as president of the board of missions and chairman of the College of Bishops.[2]

In 1886, 1888 and 1890, he took bishop tours around the world. He traveled to Japan, Korea and China in 1898–1900 and 1907. He was a delegate to the ecumenical conference in London in 1881 and 1901. He was also a delegate to the ecumenical conference in Washington, D.C., in 1891 and Toronto in 1911. Wilson visited Brazil on mission inspection from 1892 to 1903.[1]

Wilson wrote religious articles and papers, including the book "Mission: Witnesses to Christ".[1][3]

Personal life

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Wilson married Susan B. Lipscomb, daughter of a Methodist preacher, on March 4, 1857. His wife died in 1908.[1][3] They had three daughters, Maybelle, Nina and Mrs. William L. Weber.[3]

Wilson had asthma. He died from pneumonia and heart failure on November 21, 1916, at his home at 1600 Park Place in Baltimore.[4][3] He was buried in Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Wilson, Alpheus W." Emory University. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Distinguished Men of Baltimore and of Maryland. Baltimore American. 1914. p. 38. Retrieved December 3, 2022 – via Archive.org.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Bishop A. W. Wilson Dies After Journey". The Evening Sun. November 21, 1916. p. 16. Retrieved December 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  4. ^ a b c d e "Bishop Alpheus Waters Wilson". Louisiana Conference, The United Methodist Church. November 21, 1916. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
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