Wallace Edmonds Conkling (October 25, 1896 – August 27, 1979) was the seventh bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and served from 1941 to 1953.

The Right Reverend

Wallace Edmonds Conkling

D.D., S.T.D.
Bishop of Chicago
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseChicago
ElectedNovember 28, 1940
In office1941–1953
PredecessorGeorge Craig Stewart
SuccessorGerald F. Burrill
Orders
Ordination1922
by Arthur Selden Lloyd
ConsecrationFebruary 24, 1941
by Henry St. George Tucker
Personal details
Born(1896-10-25)October 25, 1896
Beacon, New York, United States
DiedAugust 27, 1979(1979-08-27) (aged 82)
Stuart, Florida, United States
BuriedAll Saints Episcopal Church, Jensen Beach, Florida
DenominationAnglican
ParentsCharles E. Conkling & Susan M. Bright
SpouseConstance Lillian Sowby
Children2

Education and early career

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Conkling was born October 25, 1896, in Matteawan (now part of Beacon, New York), the son of Charles Edmonds Conkling and Susan May Bright. He received his undergraduate degree from Williams College, his divinity degree from Philadelphia Divinity School, and a Master's from Oxford. He taught in seminaries before becoming rector of St Luke's Church in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his only extended parish ministry before being elected Bishop of Chicago.[1]

His episcopate

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During his 13 years as Bishop of Chicago, Conkling worked hard to build missions and to reduce the diocese's indebtedness. In 1946, he objected to efforts to liberalize the Episcopal Church's divorce canon.[2] Illness forced him to retire in 1953.[1] He was a bishop associate of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.

Retirement years

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After his retirement, Bishop Conkling moved with his wife and their two daughters to Vero Beach, Florida. His wife, the former Constance Lilian Sowby, was born in 1898 in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England and died March 9, 1969, in Vero Beach. Both were interred on the grounds of All Saints Episcopal Church, Jensen Beach, Florida, where he had served for many years as bishop in residence.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b obituary, Stuart (Florida) News, August 29, 1979
  2. ^ TIME (1946-09-23). "Religion: Ecclesiastical Statecraft". TIME. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
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Episcopal Church (USA) titles
Preceded by 7th Bishop of Chicago
1941–1953
Succeeded by