Clarence Coleridge
Clarence Nicholas Coleridge (born November 27, 1930) was the first African American bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, from 1993 to 1999. The Diocese of Connecticut is the first and the oldest Episcopal diocese in the United States. Prior to that he was the Suffragan Bishop of Connecticut from 1981 to 1993.
The Right Reverend Clarence Nicholas Coleridge D.D., MSW, M.Div. | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Connecticut | |
| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | Connecticut |
| In office | 1993-1999 |
| Predecessor | Arthur E. Walmsley |
| Successor | Andrew Smith |
| Other posts | Assisting Bishop of Pennsylvania |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | January 1, 1962 |
| Consecration | October 23, 1981 by John Allin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 27, 1930 Georgetown, Guyana |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | Charles Coleridge & Ina DeWeever |
| Spouse | Euna Jervis Coleridge |
| Children | 2 |
| Previous post | Suffragan Bishop of Connecticut (1981-1993) |
Biography
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 dollars.
Bishop Coleridge has been 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 have two children, Cheryl and Carolyn.
References
| Episcopal Church (USA) titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Arthur E. Walmsley |
13th Bishop of Connecticut 1993–1999 |
Succeeded by Andrew Smith |