Leonard James Beecher CMG (21 May 1906 – 16 December 1987) was an English-born Anglican archbishop.[1] He was the first archbishop of the Province of East Africa, comprising Kenya and Tanzania, from 1960 to 1970.
Leonard Beecher | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of East Africa | |
 Beecher being blessed by Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, after having been installed the first Archbishop of East Africa in 1960, at St Alban's Church, Dar es Salaam | |
| Church | Province of East Africa |
| Predecessor | new title |
| Other post(s) | Assistant Bishop of Mombasa Bishop of Mombasa Bishop of Nairobi |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1929 |
| Consecration | 1950 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 May 1906 |
| Died | 16 December 1987 (aged 81) |
Education and training edit
He was educated at St. Olave's Grammar School and Imperial College London and ordained in 1929.[2][3][4]
Missionary in Africa edit
He was a missionary of the Church Mission Society in the Diocese of Mombasa from 1930, working in the Highlands.[5] He was appointed Archdeacon of Mombasa and a Canon (both 1945–1953)[6] and an Assistant Bishop of Mombasa:[7] he was consecrated a bishop on St James's Day 1950 (25 July) by Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, at St Paul's Cathedral.[8] He became diocesan Bishop of Mombasa in 1953[9] and — additionally — Archbishop of the Province of East Africa, from 1960 to 1970:[10] he was elected (by the House of Bishops of the province-to-be)[11] to serve as the first archbishop in April 1960[12] and installed by Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, at the new province's inauguration service on 3 August 1960 at Dar-es-Salaam.[13]
Later life edit
A prominent member of the Royal African Society,[14] he retired in 1970 and died on 16 December 1987. He is buried in the cemetery at All Saints, Limuru.[15]
References edit
- ^ All Saints Nairobi Archived 2011-05-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Who was Who 1897–1990 London, A & C Black, 1991 ISBN 0-7136-3457-X.
- ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory1940–1941 Oxford, OUP,1941
- ^ "Archbishop Beecher". Church Times. No. 6515. 24 December 1987. p. 12. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 28 October 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ Gordon Hewitt, The Problems of Success: A History of the Church Missionary Society 1910-1942 (1971) Vol. I p. 132.
- ^ "Beecher, Leonard James". Who's Who. A & C Black. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ Ecclesiastical News Assistant Bishop in Mombasa The Times Thursday, 23 March 1950; p. 8; Issue 51647; col C
- ^ "Consecations at St Paul's". Church Times. No. 4564. 28 July 1950. p. 558. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 28 October 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ The Times, Friday, 27 February 1953; p. 8; Issue 52557; col E Bishop Of Mombasa
- ^ Ecclesiastical News Archbishop-Designate Of East Africa The Times Thursday, 5 May 1960; p. 16; Issue 54763; col E
- ^ "Primate's Summer Tour of New East African Province". Church Times. No. 5074. 13 May 1960. p. 14. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 28 October 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ "New Primate of East Africa". Church Times. No. 5073. 6 May 1960. p. 1. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 28 October 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ "Inauguration of New Church Province of East Africa". Church Times. No. 5087. 12 August 1960. p. 1. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 28 October 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ African Affairs
- ^ Photo of grave
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