Anglican Diocese of St Helena
Encyclopedia
The Diocese of Saint Helena is an Anglican diocese
within the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. It covers the islands of Saint Helena
and Ascension
in the Atlantic Ocean and was created in 1859. St Paul's Cathedral
is on Saint Helena.
. Da Nova anchored in the lee of the island opposite a deep valley. A timber chapel was built in the valley which later became the site of Jamestown. The island was named St Helena. Portugal
, Spain
, Holland and England
all took an interest in the island as a place to refresh ships and sailors on long voyages.
The English Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell
granted a new charter to the East India Company
in 1657, which gave the Company the right to fortify and colonise any of its establishments. Because of the strategic importance of St Helena as a fortress and staging post on the way home from India, the Company claimed the Island on 5 May 1659. The building of the fort was commenced immediately. A little town sprang up in the valley with the chapel and was subsequently named Jamestown
, after King James II
.
In 1671, the East India Company sent the first of a long sequence of Church of England
chaplains. The early, modest little church was replaced by a slightly bigger one in 1674, but was only later named St. James church. Another church ("the Country Church") was built shortly afterwards near the present St. Paul's church.
By 1774 the first parish church in Jamestown showed signs of decay, and so finally a new building was erected. St. James'
is the oldest surviving Anglican church south of the Equator.
On 7 March 1849 the first Bishop of Cape Town, Robert Gray, arrived to conduct the confirmations on the Island. Bishop Gray made a further two visits in 1852 and 1857. Ten years later, in 1859, the Diocese of St. Helena was established by Queen's Order in Council, and included the islands of Ascension
and Tristan da Cunha
. Furthermore, until 1869 the diocese also included the British residents of Rio de Janeiro
and other towns on the eastern seaboard of South America
as well as the Falklands. The first Bishop, Piers Calverley Claughton
, was consecrated in Westminster Abbey
and arrived later the same year. St Paul's Cathedral
, built 1850-51, became the cathedral in 1859.
Following the Zulu War, Chief Dinizulu, son of Cetshwayo kaMpande, and his family were exiled to the Island in 1890 for nine years. Dinizulu became a convert to Christianity and was baptised and confirmed by the Bishop.
In the 1960s, Tristan da Cunha
was transferred to the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town
. The diocese now consists solely of Saint Helena
and Ascension Island
.
The diocese is the fourth oldest diocese in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
es on Saint Helena with 12 churches:
The Cathedral Parish of St Paul's which consists of St Paul's Cathedral
, and four daughter churches:
The Parish of St James. St James' Church
in Jamestown
is the oldest Anglican Church in the southern hemisphere, the present building was put up in 1774. There are 3 daughter churches:
The Parish of St Matthew: St Matthew
in Hutt's Gate with one daughter church,
, with one church - St Mary's which is in Georgetown
.
The cornerstone of St Mary’s church was laid by Mrs. Dwyer, wife of the Commandant, on 6 September 1843. The following year the first Royal Navy Chaplain arrived, the Rev George Bellamy. The main body of the church was completed in 1846, making it the second oldest existing Anglican church in the Diocese, second only to St James church on St. Helena.
Bishop Piers Calverley Claughton
arrived on H.M.S. Buffalo in 1861 to consecrate the church and conduct a confirmation service. The old pulpit and reading desk was removed in 1870, during the time of Rev J.T. Westroff and replaced with a lectern. The pews were also replaced with open seats and an altar, with rails was installed. Two years later, the Revd. George C Waller added a seat in the chancel. Between 1879-1880 restoration work was undertaken under the auspices of Captain A.G. Roe. A chancel was also added. Over the next two decades, a new organ was installed, the chancel was paved with tessellated pavement, the present brass lectern replaced the old one, a new stained glass East window was installed, and an oak litany desk was donated. On Easter Day in 1900 a stone font was presented by the congregation and placed at the entrance to the church.
The end Royal Navy Chaplains presiding at the church came to an end in 1905 when the Garrison was reduced to 120. The Bishops paid twice yearly visits and Sunday worship was led by lay people licensed by the Bishop. The Royal Naval Garrison was finally withdrawn in 1922. Ascension Island
became a dependency of the Colony of St Helena a status it would maintain until 2009. From 1966 onwards, with Revd John Crawford appointed as the first vicar of St Mary’s, the Bishops of St Helena appointed vicars to take care of the parish.
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
within the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. It covers the islands of Saint Helena
Saint Helena
Saint Helena , named after St Helena of Constantinople, is an island of volcanic origin in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha which also includes Ascension Island and the islands of Tristan da Cunha...
and Ascension
Ascension Island
Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, around from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America, which is roughly midway between the horn of South America and Africa...
in the Atlantic Ocean and was created in 1859. St Paul's Cathedral
Saint Paul's Cathedral (Saint Helena)
Saint Paul's Cathedral is a cathedral church on the island of Saint Helena and is part of the Anglican Diocese of Saint Helena. It is located approximately 2 miles south of Jamestown in the district of St Paul's....
is on Saint Helena.
History
On 21 May 1502 an uninhabited island was discovered by the Portuguese admiral, João da NovaJoão da Nova
João da Nova , Xoán de Novoa or Joam de Nôvoa galician spellings, Juan de Nova, Spanish spelling, was a Galician explorer of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans at the service of Portugal...
. Da Nova anchored in the lee of the island opposite a deep valley. A timber chapel was built in the valley which later became the site of Jamestown. The island was named St Helena. Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Holland and England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
all took an interest in the island as a place to refresh ships and sailors on long voyages.
The English Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
granted a new charter to the East India Company
East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
in 1657, which gave the Company the right to fortify and colonise any of its establishments. Because of the strategic importance of St Helena as a fortress and staging post on the way home from India, the Company claimed the Island on 5 May 1659. The building of the fort was commenced immediately. A little town sprang up in the valley with the chapel and was subsequently named Jamestown
Jamestown, Saint Helena
Jamestown is the capital and historic chief settlement of the island of Saint Helena, in the South Atlantic Ocean. Located on the island's north-western coast, it is the island's port, with facilities for unloading goods delivered to the island, and the centre of the island's road and...
, after King James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
.
In 1671, the East India Company sent the first of a long sequence of Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
chaplains. The early, modest little church was replaced by a slightly bigger one in 1674, but was only later named St. James church. Another church ("the Country Church") was built shortly afterwards near the present St. Paul's church.
By 1774 the first parish church in Jamestown showed signs of decay, and so finally a new building was erected. St. James'
St James, Jamestown
Saint James' Church is a church on the island of Saint Helena and is part of the Anglican Diocese of Saint Helena. It is situated in the capital Jamestown and is the oldest Anglican Church in the southern hemisphere; the present building was put up in 1774....
is the oldest surviving Anglican church south of the Equator.
On 7 March 1849 the first Bishop of Cape Town, Robert Gray, arrived to conduct the confirmations on the Island. Bishop Gray made a further two visits in 1852 and 1857. Ten years later, in 1859, the Diocese of St. Helena was established by Queen's Order in Council, and included the islands of Ascension
Ascension Island
Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, around from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America, which is roughly midway between the horn of South America and Africa...
and Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha is a remote volcanic group of islands in the south Atlantic Ocean and the main island of that group. It is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, lying from the nearest land, South Africa, and from South America...
. Furthermore, until 1869 the diocese also included the British residents of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
and other towns on the eastern seaboard of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
as well as the Falklands. The first Bishop, Piers Calverley Claughton
Piers Calverley Claughton
Piers Calverley Claughton was a Bishop in the Anglican church.He was Archdeacon of London and Assistant Bishop of London. Chaplain-General of Her Majesty's Forces, First Bishop of St Helena 1859 - 1861 and Bishop of Colombo 1862-1871.A memorial was placed in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral,...
, was consecrated in Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
and arrived later the same year. St Paul's Cathedral
Saint Paul's Cathedral (Saint Helena)
Saint Paul's Cathedral is a cathedral church on the island of Saint Helena and is part of the Anglican Diocese of Saint Helena. It is located approximately 2 miles south of Jamestown in the district of St Paul's....
, built 1850-51, became the cathedral in 1859.
Following the Zulu War, Chief Dinizulu, son of Cetshwayo kaMpande, and his family were exiled to the Island in 1890 for nine years. Dinizulu became a convert to Christianity and was baptised and confirmed by the Bishop.
In the 1960s, Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha is a remote volcanic group of islands in the south Atlantic Ocean and the main island of that group. It is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, lying from the nearest land, South Africa, and from South America...
was transferred to the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town
Anglican Diocese of Cape Town
The Anglican Diocese of Cape Town, South Africa, came into being in 1847 with the consecration of the first bishop, Robert Gray, and later expanded to become the Church of the Province of Southern Africa, now called the Anglican Church of Southern Africa....
. The diocese now consists solely of Saint Helena
Saint Helena
Saint Helena , named after St Helena of Constantinople, is an island of volcanic origin in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha which also includes Ascension Island and the islands of Tristan da Cunha...
and Ascension Island
Ascension Island
Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, around from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America, which is roughly midway between the horn of South America and Africa...
.
The diocese is the fourth oldest diocese in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
Saint Helena
There are three parishParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
es on Saint Helena with 12 churches:
The Cathedral Parish of St Paul's which consists of St Paul's Cathedral
Saint Paul's Cathedral (Saint Helena)
Saint Paul's Cathedral is a cathedral church on the island of Saint Helena and is part of the Anglican Diocese of Saint Helena. It is located approximately 2 miles south of Jamestown in the district of St Paul's....
, and four daughter churches:
- St Andrew's, Half Tree HollowHalf Tree HollowHalf Tree Hollow is the "suburb" of Jamestown, Saint Helena, a British island in the South Atlantic. The village is built at the top of Jacob's Ladder, a hillside stairway connecting it with Jamestown...
- St Helena of the Cross, Blue HillBlue Hill, Saint HelenaBlue Hill is a hill and one of eight districts of the island of Saint Helena, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, located in the west and southwest of the island. Its main settlement, with the location of the community centre, is Blue Hill Village...
- St Martin's in the Hills, Thompson's Hill
- St Peter's, Sandy BaySandy Bay, Saint HelenaSandy Bay is a bay on the island of Saint Helena and a district of the island. In 2008 the district had a population of 205, compared to a population of 254 in 1998....
The Parish of St James. St James' Church
St James, Jamestown
Saint James' Church is a church on the island of Saint Helena and is part of the Anglican Diocese of Saint Helena. It is situated in the capital Jamestown and is the oldest Anglican Church in the southern hemisphere; the present building was put up in 1774....
in Jamestown
Jamestown, Saint Helena
Jamestown is the capital and historic chief settlement of the island of Saint Helena, in the South Atlantic Ocean. Located on the island's north-western coast, it is the island's port, with facilities for unloading goods delivered to the island, and the centre of the island's road and...
is the oldest Anglican Church in the southern hemisphere, the present building was put up in 1774. There are 3 daughter churches:
- St John's, Upper Jamestown
- St Mary's, the Briars
- St Michael's, Rupert's Valley
The Parish of St Matthew: St Matthew
St Matthew, Hutt's Gate
Saint Matthew is a church on the island of Saint Helena and is part of the Anglican Diocese of Saint Helena. It is situated in Hutt's Gate in the Longwood district. The church opened in 1862...
in Hutt's Gate with one daughter church,
- St Mark's, LongwoodLongwood, Saint HelenaLongwood is a settlement and a district of the British island of Saint Helena, where Napoleon was exiled from 1815 until his death on 5 May 1821. France owns the land around Napoleon's original grave, but the United Kingdom retains full sovereignty....
- a congregation at LevelwoodLevelwood, Saint HelenaLevelwood is a district and settlement on the island of Saint Helena. In 2008 it had a population of 316, compared to a population of 376 in 1998, and is rural in nature....
but no church building
Ascension Island
There is one Parish on Ascension IslandAscension Island
Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, around from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America, which is roughly midway between the horn of South America and Africa...
, with one church - St Mary's which is in Georgetown
Georgetown, Ascension Island
Georgetown is the capital and chief settlement of Ascension Island, situated on the west coast of the island.The town is centred around St Mary's Church, part of the Anglican Diocese of St Helena and the former Exiles Club, which is on the site of the original Royal Marines barracks from the times...
.
The cornerstone of St Mary’s church was laid by Mrs. Dwyer, wife of the Commandant, on 6 September 1843. The following year the first Royal Navy Chaplain arrived, the Rev George Bellamy. The main body of the church was completed in 1846, making it the second oldest existing Anglican church in the Diocese, second only to St James church on St. Helena.
Bishop Piers Calverley Claughton
Piers Calverley Claughton
Piers Calverley Claughton was a Bishop in the Anglican church.He was Archdeacon of London and Assistant Bishop of London. Chaplain-General of Her Majesty's Forces, First Bishop of St Helena 1859 - 1861 and Bishop of Colombo 1862-1871.A memorial was placed in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral,...
arrived on H.M.S. Buffalo in 1861 to consecrate the church and conduct a confirmation service. The old pulpit and reading desk was removed in 1870, during the time of Rev J.T. Westroff and replaced with a lectern. The pews were also replaced with open seats and an altar, with rails was installed. Two years later, the Revd. George C Waller added a seat in the chancel. Between 1879-1880 restoration work was undertaken under the auspices of Captain A.G. Roe. A chancel was also added. Over the next two decades, a new organ was installed, the chancel was paved with tessellated pavement, the present brass lectern replaced the old one, a new stained glass East window was installed, and an oak litany desk was donated. On Easter Day in 1900 a stone font was presented by the congregation and placed at the entrance to the church.
The end Royal Navy Chaplains presiding at the church came to an end in 1905 when the Garrison was reduced to 120. The Bishops paid twice yearly visits and Sunday worship was led by lay people licensed by the Bishop. The Royal Naval Garrison was finally withdrawn in 1922. Ascension Island
Ascension Island
Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, around from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America, which is roughly midway between the horn of South America and Africa...
became a dependency of the Colony of St Helena a status it would maintain until 2009. From 1966 onwards, with Revd John Crawford appointed as the first vicar of St Mary’s, the Bishops of St Helena appointed vicars to take care of the parish.
List of Bishops of Saint Helena
- Piers Calverley ClaughtonPiers Calverley ClaughtonPiers Calverley Claughton was a Bishop in the Anglican church.He was Archdeacon of London and Assistant Bishop of London. Chaplain-General of Her Majesty's Forces, First Bishop of St Helena 1859 - 1861 and Bishop of Colombo 1862-1871.A memorial was placed in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral,...
1859-1862 - Thomas Earle WelbyThomas Earle WelbyThomas Earle Welby was a Bishop in the Anglican church.-Early life and education:...
1862-1899 - John Garraway HolmesJohn Garraway HolmesJohn Garraway Holmes who died in Worthing, West Sussex in September 1904 was an Anglican Bishop. He was buried at Broadwater Cemetery in Worthing.-Education:...
1899-1905 - William Arthur HolbechWilliam Arthur HolbechThe Rt Rev William Arthur Holbech was an Anglican Bishop in the first half of the 20th century. Born on 14 December 1850 and educated at Eton and Brasenose College, Oxford , he was ordained in 1874...
1905-1931 - Charles Christopher WattsCharles Christopher WattsChristopher Charles Watts was an Anglican Bishop. Watts was the son of the Revd George Edward Oscar Watts, Vicar of Kensworth, Bedfordshire in England...
1931-1935 - Charles Arthur William AylenCharles Arthur William AylenCharles Arthur William Aylen was born in 1882 and died on 15 August 1972 was an Anglican Bishop.-Career:He was Vicar of Shiplake from 1913 to 1925.In 1926 he went to the Empangeni district in Zululand as a mission priest....
1935-1939 - Gilbert Price Lloyd TurnerGilbert Price Lloyd TurnerGilbert Price Lloyd Turner was born on 8 May 1888 and died in 1968. He was a Bishop in the Anglican church.-Education:He was educated at the Collegiate School, Victoria in British Columbia and at St Augustine's College, Canterbury.-Career:...
1939-1960 - Harold BeardmoreHarold BeardmoreHarold Beardsmore, OBE, AKC was a Bishop in the Anglican church.-Career:He was a chaplain to the Royal Navy from 1927 to 1947. He was appointed Dean of Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1947, and Archdeacon of Basutoland in 1952. He was appointed Bishop of St. Helena in 1960.-Notes:...
1960-1967 - Edmund Michael Hubert CapperEdmund Michael Hubert CapperEdmund Michael Hubert Capper was an Anglican bishopBorn on 12 March 1908 and educated at St Joseph's Academy, Blackheath and Durham University , he was ordained in 1933 . Following a curacy at St Mary Strood he emigrated to Africa where he was a Mission Priest before promotion to be the Archdeacon...
1967-1973 - George Kenneth GiggallGeorge Kenneth GiggallThe Rt Rev George Kenneth Giggall, OBE was an eminent Anglican Clergyman in the 20th century. He was born on 15 April 1914 and educated at Manchester University. After a period of study at St Chad's College, Durham. Ordained Deacon in 1939 and Priest in 1940, he began his career with curacies at...
1973-1979 - Edward Alexander Carman 1979-1985
- James Nathaniel Johnson 1985-1991
- John Harry Gerald RustonJohn Harry Gerald RustonJohn Harry Gerald Ruston OGS was the 13th Bishop of St Helena from 1991 to 1999. He was previously Bishop Suffragan of Pretoria. He died in retirement in England in 2010.-Early life:...
1991-1999 - John William SaltJohn William SaltJohn William Salt OGS is a retired Anglican Bishop of St Helena. Enthroned as bishop in 1999, he retired in March 2011. He has lived in the island of St Helena, which is situated in the South Atlantic Ocean.-Early life:...
1999-2011 - Richard David Fenwick 2011-