WAUPACA COUNTY POST

May 28, 1925

 

FIFTIETH YEAR EPISCOPAL SEE CELEBRATION

HON. E.L. BROWNE OF WAUPACA OLDEST LIVING COMMUNICANT OF THE DIOCESE

(Milwaukee Journal)

 

            Fifty years ago next month a small band of priests and laymen of the Protestant Episcopal church whose hearts were set upon the establishment of their church in Wisconsin, organized and established the diocese of Fond du Lac. Their zeal and devotion is to be commemorated for six days, June 8 to 13, this year, by churchmen from all parts of the United States and some from abroad.

            Not only is the semi-centennial of the diocese to be celebrated but the centennial of the establishment of the Episcopal mission at Oneida is to be observed with elaborate ceremony as a part of the diocesan celebration on June 11.  It was at Oneida 100 years ago that the first Episcopal mission was established as a forerunner of all other churches of the denomination in the northwest.  Oneida is considered the oldest and one of the most important missions in the American Episcopal church.

            It is recorded that missionary work was done among the Oneida Indians in the seventeenth century by societies of the old church of England.  The Oneida mission was organized in the state of New York about 1702 and the tribes came to Green Bay in 1821 led by Eleazar Williams, the “last Dauphin” of France, who was commissioned as missionary by Bishop Hobart.

Pioneer Mission Post

            Three bishops have presided over the diocese of Fond du Lac, notwithstanding five have been elected, according to the historians of the church.  The official publication of the diocese published at Appleton, in reminiscing concerning the establishment of the diocese, says:

            “It was a pioneer and missionary work, and was an undertaking of faith and courage.  After securing the consent of the general convention the diocese elected two bishops who declined the office.  As Dr. Durlin said: ‘They came and looked on us and passed by on the other side.’ Bishop Brown, however, was of more heroic mould.”

            Bishop John Henry Hobart Brown, D.D., the first bishop of northern Wisconsin, was born Dec. 1, 1831, was consecrated Dec. 15, 1875, and died May 2, 1888.  After touring his new jurisdiction, upon accepting the bishopric, Bishop Brown decided upon Fond du Lac as his see city and St. Paul’s church became the cathedral church of the diocese.

            Since the creation of the diocese and the assumption of power by Bishop Brown, the diocese has grown from 18 priests to 45 and 1,341 communicates to 6,000.  Many churches, rectories, vicarages and parish houses have been erected and the value of diocese property has mounted to $1,367,000.

            The Rt. Rev. Charles Chapman Grafton, D.D., L.L.D., who was born Apr. 12, 1830, was consecrated bishop to succeed Bishop Brown on Apr. 25, 1889, and served until his death, Aug. 30, 1912.  In 1900 the Rt. Rev. Reginald Heber Weller was consecrated bishop coadjutor and succeeded to power at Bishop Grafton’s death.

Plan Bishop’s Residence

            One of the outstanding features of the semi-centennial celebration will be the completion of the raising of a $50,000 fund with which to erect a new Episcopal residence for the bishop.  Bishop Weller now resides in an ancient and almost dilapidated frame structure across the street from the beautiful cathedral.

            “The incongruity at once strikes the observer,” the official organ of the diocese states, “and churchmen in visiting Fond du Lac have been mortified at the inadequate home provided for the bishop of the dioceses.”

            It is planned to spend $30,000 on the new home and establish an endowment fund of $30,000 for the support of the residence.  A committee of 15 was appointed at the January council of the diocese to raise the fund, which is to be provided by each communicant contributing 10¢ (the price of one brick) each week  for three years.

            While the golden jubilee celebration of the diocese begins in Fond du Lac at the cathedral on the evening of June 8, with a meeting o the council and devotional services, it progresses to other cities in the diocese following the morning meeting at Fond du Lac, June 9.  Ripon, Oshkosh, Appleton, Green Bay, Oneida, Sheboygan Falls and Plymouth are on the itinerary.  Hundreds of churchmen from other dioceses are expected to partake in the golden jubilee celebration.

Oldest Communicant

By the Waupaca County Post

            Of special interest to local Episcopalians is the fact that Mr. E.L. Browne of Waupaca is the oldest living communicant of the Episcopal church in the Diocese of Fond du Lac.  Mr. Browne was married by Bishop Kemper, March 5, 1856, that being the first service of the Episcopal church in Waupaca.  A few weeks later a missionary was sent to organize a mission which later became the present St. Mark’s Parish in this city.