Leonard Beecher

Leonard James Beecher CMG (21 May 1906 – 16 December 1987) was an English-born Anglican archbishop.[1] He was the first archbishop of the Province of East Africa, comprising Kenya and Tanzania, from 1960 to 1970.

The Most Reverend

Leonard Beecher

CMG
Archbishop of East Africa
Beecher being blessed by Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, after having been installed the first Archbishop of East Africa in 1960, at St Alban's Church, Dar es Salaam
ChurchProvince of East Africa
Predecessornew title
Other postsAssistant Bishop of Mombasa
Bishop of Mombasa
Bishop of Nairobi
Orders
Ordination1929
Consecration1950
Personal details
Born(1906-05-21)21 May 1906
Died16 December 1987(1987-12-16) (aged 81)

Education and training

He was educated at St Olave's Grammar School and Imperial College London and ordained in 1929.[2][3][4]

Missionary in Africa

He was a missionary of the Church Mission Society in the Diocese of Mombasa from 1930, working in the Highlands.[5] He was appointed Archdeacon of Mombasa and a Canon (both 1945–1953)[6] and an Assistant Bishop of Mombasa:[7] he was consecrated a bishop on St James's Day 1950 (25 July) by Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, at St Paul's Cathedral.[8] He became diocesan Bishop of Mombasa in 1953[9] and — additionally — Archbishop of the Province of East Africa, from 1960 to 1970:[10] he was elected (by the House of Bishops of the province-to-be)[11] to serve as the first archbishop in April 1960[12] and installed by Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, at the new province's inauguration service on 3 August 1960 at Dar-es-Salaam.[13]

Later life

A prominent member of the Royal African Society,[14] he retired in 1970 and died on 16 December 1987. He is buried in the cemetery at All Saints, Limuru.[15]

References
  1. All Saints Nairobi Archived 2011-05-12 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Who was Who 1897–1990 London, A & C Black, 1991 ISBN 0-7136-3457-X.
  3. Crockford's Clerical Directory1940–1941 Oxford, OUP,1941
  4. "Archbishop Beecher". Church Times (#6515). 24 December 1987. p. 12. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 28 October 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
  5. Gordon Hewitt, The Problems of Success: A History of the Church Missionary Society 1910-1942 (1971) Vol. I p. 132.
  6. "Beecher, Leonard James". Who's Who. ukwhoswho.com. A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  7. Ecclesiastical News Assistant Bishop in Mombasa The Times Thursday, 23 March 1950; p. 8; Issue 51647; col C
  8. "Consecations at St Paul's". Church Times (#4564). 28 July 1950. p. 558. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 28 October 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
  9. The Times, Friday, 27 February 1953; p. 8; Issue 52557; col E Bishop Of Mombasa
  10. Ecclesiastical News Archbishop-Designate Of East Africa The Times Thursday, 5 May 1960; p. 16; Issue 54763; col E
  11. "Primate's Summer Tour of New East African Province". Church Times (#5074). 13 May 1960. p. 14. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 28 October 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
  12. "New Primate of East Africa". Church Times (#5073). 6 May 1960. p. 1. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 28 October 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
  13. "Inauguration of New Church Province of East Africa". Church Times (#5087). 12 August 1960. p. 1. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 28 October 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
  14. African Affairs
  15. Photo of grave


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