Clarence Nicholas Coleridge (November 27, 1930 – August 10, 2023) was a Guyanese-born American Episcopalian clergyman who was the first black bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut, from 1993 to 1999. Prior to that he was the Suffragan Bishop of Connecticut from 1981 to 1993.
The Right Reverend Clarence Nicholas Coleridge | |
|---|---|
| 13th Bishop of Connecticut | |
| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | Connecticut |
| In office | 1993–1999 |
| Predecessor | Arthur E. Walmsley |
| Successor | Andrew Smith |
| Other post(s) | Assisting Bishop of Pennsylvania |
| Previous post(s) | Suffragan Bishop of Connecticut (1981-1993) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | January 1, 1962 |
| Consecration | October 23, 1981 by John Allin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 27, 1930 Georgetown, Guyana |
| Died | August 10, 2023 (aged 92) |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | Charles Coleridge & Ina DeWeever |
| Spouse | Euna Jervis Coleridge |
| Children | 2 |
Biography
editOriginally from Guyana, Coleridge obtained a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut and a Doctor of Ministry from the Andover Newton Theological School.[1] He was ordained to the diaconate on January 27, 1961, and to the priesthood on January 1, 1962. He was consecrated on October 23, 1981. He has three honorary degrees, including one from Yale Divinity School. Habitat for Humanity built five houses in his name, the Coleridge Commons in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He also started the Bishops Fund for Children, a fund to enhance awareness of the plight of children at risk throughout Connecticut and to raise funds to underwrite social service programs that aid these children in urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods. The fund has so far given out $3.2 million.[citation needed]
Bishop Coleridge was married for over 50 years to Euna J. Coleridge, a high school science teacher who was awarded the Olmstead Award for Teacher of the Year from Williams College. They had two children, Cheryl and Carolyn. Clarence Coleridge died on August 10, 2023, at the age of 92.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Black Is Voted Episcopal Bishop". The New York Times. 1993-06-06. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ "The Right Reverend Clarence Nicholas Coleridge". Legacy. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
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