Robert Carter Jett

Robert Carter Jett (May 10, 1865 – August 9, 1950) was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia from 1920 to 1938.

The Right Reverend Robert Carter Jett D.D., LL.D.
Bishop of Southwestern Virginia
Church	Episcopal Church
Diocese	Southwestern Virginia
Elected	December 10, 1919
In office	1920–1938
Successor	Henry D. Phillips
Orders
Ordination	1890 by Alfred Magill Randolph
Consecration	March 24, 1920 by Daniel S. Tuttle
Personal details
Born	May 10, 1865 King George County, Virginia, United States
Died	August 9, 1950 (aged 85) Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Buried	Evergreen Burial Park
Denomination	Anglican
Parents	William Newton Jett & Virginia Mitchell
Spouse	Annie Funston ​ (m. 1890)​
Children	2

Early Life and Education

Jett was born May 10, 1865, in King George County, Virginia, the son of William Newton Jett and Virginia Mitchell. he was educated at the public and private schools. he also studied at the Virginia Theological Seminary from where he graduated in 1889. He was granted an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Washington and Lee University in 1915.[1]

Ordained Ministry

Jett was ordained deacon in 1898 by Bishop Francis McNeece Whittle and priest in 1890 by Bishop Alfred Magill Randolph.[2] He served as assistant at Epiphany Church in Danville, Virginia from 1889 to 1890, and then became rector of Beckford Parish in Shenandoah County, Virginia from 1890 to 1893. In 1893 he became the first rector of Emmanuel Church in Staunton, Virginia, a post he retained till 1913 when he resigned to organize and eventually establish the Virginia Episcopal School, of which he served as its first rector from 1916 to 1920.[3]

Bishop

On December 10, 1920, Jett was elected the first Bishop of Southwestern Virginia. He was consecrated on March 24, 1920 in Trinity Church, Staunton, Virginia, by Presiding Bishop Daniel S. Tuttle.[4] In the first year of his episcopacy, Jett established a diocesan newspaper. He was deeply involved in community activities as an integral part of Christian commitment. Jett worked tirelessly, patiently, and faithfully to carry on the evangelical and missionary tradition of the Church in Virginia. He did his work well, and he left behind him a strong and well-grounded diocese. He retired on May 17, 1938.

References

1. "Jett, Rt Rev. Robert Carter". World Biography. 1: 2434. 1948.
2. "Jett, Robert Carter, D.D.". The Living Church Annual: 87. 1920.
3. "The Right Reverend Robert Carter Jett, D.D., LL.D.". Journal of the Annual Council: 74. 1951.
4. "Jett, Robert Carter". Who's who in the South: 393. 1927.

External links

• Robert Carter Jett at Find a Grave