James Edward Freeman (July 24, 1866 – June 6, 1943) was the third bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, serving from 1923 to 1943.[1]


James Edward Freeman
Bishop of Washington
Bishop Freeman in 1937
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseWashington
ElectedJune 1923
In office1923–1943
PredecessorAlfred Harding
SuccessorAngus Dun
Orders
OrdinationApril 28, 1895
by Henry C. Potter
ConsecrationSeptember 29, 1923
by Thomas F. Gailor
Personal details
Born(1866-07-24)July 24, 1866
DiedJune 6, 1943(1943-06-06) (aged 76)
Washington, D.C., United States
BuriedSt Joseph's Chapel, Washington National Cathedral
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsHenry Freeman & Mary Morgan
SpouseElla Vigelius (m. April 16, 1890)
Children3
SignatureJames Edward Freeman's signature

Biography

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Freeman was born on July 24, 1866, in New York City. He was educated in public school in New York after which he commenced employment in the accounting department of the Long Island Railroad. He also worked with the Hudson River and New York Central Railroad.[2] After fifteen years he started to train for the priesthood after he was encouraged by the Bishop of New York Horatio Potter.

He was ordained deacon on May 20, 1894, and priest a year later. After ordination he served in St John's Church and of St Andrew's Chapel, both in Yonkers, New York. In 1909 he became rector of St Mark's Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the present day cathedral. In 1921 he moved to Washington, D.C., to become rector of the Church of the Epiphany.

He was elected Coadjutor Bishop of West Texas in 1911 however he declined the offer. He also lost the election for the Bishop of Colorado by one vote and refused the position of Dean of New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Freeman was also elected as Bishop of Washington in 1923, a position which he accepted. He was consecrated on September 29, 1923, by Thomas F. Gailor, Bishop of Tennessee. During his episcopacy, he led a national campaign to raise funds for the construction of the Washington National Cathedral.[3] In 1934, his pastoral letter from the 51st General Convention warned against the destructive effects of divorce.[4] He also officiated at memorial services for Warren G. Harding, Woodrow Wilson, and William Howard Taft.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Van Rensselaer Gibson, Killiaen (1944). Grand Man of God, James Edward Freeman: Being the Inspiring Life-story of a Great Bishop and Strong Soul. Yonkers, New York: Llewellyn Publications.
  2. ^ "Religion: For National Purposes -- Printout -- TIME". content.time.com. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "Episcopate: Bishop Freeman Dies". The Living Church. 106 (24): 5. June 13, 1943. The Rt. Rev. James E. Freeman, D.D., L.L.D., D.C.L., third Bishop of Washington, died at his home on the grounds of the Washington Cathedral on June 6.
  4. ^ TIME (November 5, 1934). "Religion: In Atlantic City (Concl.)". TIME. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  5. ^ "Presidential Funerals". Washington National Cathedral. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
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Episcopal Church (USA) titles
Preceded by Bishop of Washington
1923–1943
Succeeded by