Edward T. Helfenstein

Edward Trail Helfenstein (April 7, 1865 – December 22, 1947) was the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, serving in that capacity from 1929 till 1943.[1]

The Right Reverend

Edward Trail Helfenstein

D.D.
Bishop of Maryland
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseMaryland
In office1929-1943
PredecessorJohn Gardner Murray
SuccessorNoble C. Powell
Orders
OrdinationMarch 9, 1890
by William Paret
ConsecrationDecember 28, 1926
by John Gardner Murray
Personal details
Born(1865-04-07)April 7, 1865
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
DiedDecember 22, 1947(1947-12-22) (aged 82)
Maryland, United States
BuriedMount Olivet Cemetery (Frederick)
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsCyrus Glonigan Helfenstein & Annie Elizabeth Trail
SpouseGrace Fenton Nelson
Previous postCoadjutor Bishop of Maryland (1926-1929)

Early Life and Education

Helfenstein was born on April 7, 1865 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Cyrus Glonigan Helfenstein and Annie Elizabeth Trail. He was baptised in All Saints Church, Frederick, Maryland. He attended the Frederick Academy in Frederick, Maryland and then the Episcopal High School of Virginia. He also studied for a time at the Johns Hopkins University and then graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1889. He was also awarded a Doctor of Divinity 1916 by Virginia Theological Seminary.[2]

Ordained Ministry

Helfenstein was ordained deacon on March 19, 1889 by Bishop William Paret of Maryland and then became deacon-in-charge of Christ Church in Rock Spring, Maryland and Holy Cross Church in The Rocks Harford County, Maryland. He was ordained priest on March 9, 1890 in Emmanuel Church, Baltimore, also by Bishop William Paret.[3] Between 1889 and 1890, he served as rector of Saint Mark's parish, covering Frederick and Washington counties. Afterwards he became rector of Saint John's Church in Ellicott City, Maryland in 1900 and subsequently also rector of Saint Peter's Church in Ellicott City, Maryland, retaining both posts till 1920. He was then appointed Archdeacon of Maryland in 1920.[4]

Bishop

Helfenstein was elected Coadjutor Bishop of Maryland during a diocesan convention held in Baltimore in 1926. He was consecrated on December 28, 1926 by Presiding Bishop and Bishop of Maryland John Gardner Murray. He then succeeded Murray as diocesan upon his death on October 3, 1929. He retired on November 1, 1943 and died on December 22, 1947 after a brief illness.

References
  1. "Rev Edward Trail Helfenstein". Find a grave.
  2. "Helfenstein, Edward Trail, D.D.". The Living Church Annual: 83–84. 1928.
  3. "Edward Trail Helfenstein", Inventory of the Church Archives of Maryland: Protestant Episcopal: Diocese of Maryland, 1940. Retrieved on 23 November 2019.
  4. "Bishop Helfenstein dies". The Living Church. 116 (1): 5. January 4, 1948.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.