J. Gillespie Armstrong

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The Right Reverend

Joseph Gillespie Armstrong

D.D., S.T.D.
Bishop of Pennsylvania
J Gillespie Armstrong Photo2 (2).jpg
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DiocesePennsylvania
In office1963–1964
PredecessorOliver J. Hart
SuccessorRobert L. DeWitt
Orders
OrdinationNovember 1931
by Edward T. Helfenstein
ConsecrationOctober 28, 1949
by Henry Knox Sherrill
Personal details
Born(1901-10-15)October 15, 1901
Warren, Pennsylvania, United States
DiedApril 23, 1964(1964-04-23) (aged 62)
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States
BuriedArlington National Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsJoseph Gillespie Armstrong and Minnie Houston
SpouseClara Vickers Elliot (m.1931-d.1949)
Loiuse McKelvey Bray Gillespie
Previous post(s)Suffragan Bishop of Pennsylvania (1949-1960)
Coadjutor Bishop of Pennsylvania (1960-1963)
Alma materJohns Hopkins University

Joseph Gillespie Armstrong (October 15, 1901 - April 23, 1964) was suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania from 1949 until November 7, 1960, when he was elected coadjutor. He succeeded Rt. Rev. Oliver J. Hart as Bishop of Pennsylvania when Bishop Hart retired on July 19, 1963. However Bishop Armstrong's diocesan episcopate only lasted nine months before his death.[1]

Biography[]

Armstrong was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, but raised in Virginia. Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland awarded him a B.A. in 1928; after which he graduated from General Theological Seminary in 1931.

Ordained priest in 1932, Rev. Armstrong served as rector of Severn Parish (a/k/a St. Stephens Crownsville) near Annapolis, Maryland,[2] and of Christ Church (Georgetown, Washington, D.C.), then as chaplain in the United States Navy in World War II. After his military discharge, Rev. Armstrong served several years as rector at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

On May 11, 1949 the diocesan convention elected the Rev. Armstrong as suffragan to assist Bishop Hart. The Presiding Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill assisted bishop Hart and bishop suffragan Remington of Pennsylvania in his consecration, as did bishops, Powell of Maryland and bishop suffragan Banyard of New Jersey on October 28, 1949.[3] He was installed as Suffragan bishop of Pennsylvania on November 15, 1949. Bishop Armstrong then assisted the diocesan bishop Hart in administering the diocese for many years until Rt.Rev. Hart's retirement. On April 1, 1964, Robert L. DeWitt, suffragan bishop of Michigan, was elected as his coadjutor, and became his successor.

Bishop Armstrong died at home in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, survived by his second wife and daughters. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ "Right Rev. J. G. Armstrong Dies; Pennsylvania Episcopal Bishop". The New York Times. 24 April 1964.
  2. ^ A History of Severn Parish..Anne Arundel County,Maryland 1838-1988. January 1989.
  3. ^ The Living Church, vol. 119 No. 7 p. 1, available at https://books.google.com/books?id=iWDkAAAAMAAJ&pg=PR119&lpg
  4. ^ "Episcopal News Service: Press Release # XXI-14".
Episcopal Church (USA) titles
Preceded by 11th Bishop of Pennsylvania
(suffragan, 1949-1960)
coadjutor, 1960-1963
1963–1964 		Succeeded by
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