Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
Encyclopedia
The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa is the diocese
of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America which covers all of Iowa
. It is in Province VI
. Its offices are in Des Moines
, and it has two cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of St. Paul
in Des Moines
and Trinity Cathedral
in Davenport
.
by the Rev. Richard F. Cadle. He was followed by the Rev. E. G. Gear and the Rev. J. Batchelder. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Philander Chase
, Bishop of Illinois, visited Scott County
in the fall of 1837.
The church started to develop across the state of Iowa. In July, 1853, the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper
, missionary bishop of the Northwest, invited clergy and representatives of all the congregations in the state to meet at Trinity Church
in Muscatine
. On Wednesday, August 17, the Rev. Alfred Louderback, rector of Trinity Church, Davenport, was elected chairman in the bishop's absence. The constitutions and canons for the diocese were adopted and plans were made for the election of a bishop. The General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America admitted the Diocese of Iowa to its membership in October, 1853.
On May 31, 1854, the first convention of the Diocese of Iowa began in Trinity Church, Davenport. The Rev. Henry Washington Lee, rector of St. Luke's Church, Rochester, New York
, was elected the first bishop of Iowa. He was consecrated in his church in Rochester on October 18, 1854. Bishop Lee preached in the diocese for the first time on October 29, 1854 in St. John's Church, Dubuque.
The cornerstone for Trinity Cathedral, then called Grace Cathedral, was laid in 1867. The building was completed in 1873. It is the second church built as a cathedral in the Episcopal Church in the United States. In 1992 St. Paul's Church in Des Moines was named the diocese's liturgical cathedral and Trinity was maintained as its historic cathedral. Trinity, St. Paul's and ten other Episcopal churches in Iowa are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
for the Diocese of Iowa were designed by Cram and Ferguson and approved at the 1946 Diocesan Convention. The arms consist of the a field of green, which represents Iowa's prairies, bisected by two lines that represent the Mississippi River
and the Missouri River
. The gold cross contains five red diamonds which represent the five communities where the Episcopal Church in Iowa was organized: Dubuque
, Davenport
, Muscatine
, Burlington
, and Keokuk
. The cross is surrounded by four ears of corn that represents Iowa’s agricultural heritage. A bishop's mitre
tops the shield and it is surrounded by the words, "Seal of the Diocese of Iowa 1853."
and is located in North East Scotland
. It is the smallest of the seven dioceses in Scotland. The cathedral and administrative offices are in Dundee
.
The Diocese of Swaziland
is located in southern Africa, and encompasses the entire country of Swaziland
. The diocese is part of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
† = Deceased
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...
of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America which covers all of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. It is in Province VI
Province 6 of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America
Province 6 is one of nine ecclesiastical provinces making up the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. It is composed of eight dioceses, one for each of the eight civil states of Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming -Dioceses of...
. Its offices are in Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, and it has two cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of St. Paul
Cathedral Church of Saint Paul (Des Moines)
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, is located at 815 High Street, Des Moines, Iowa in the United States. It is the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 as St. Paul's Episcopal Church.-St. Paul's Episcopal...
in Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
and Trinity Cathedral
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Davenport, Iowa)
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is the historic cathedral in the Diocese of Iowa. The cathedral is located on the bluff overlooking Downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974...
in Davenport
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
.
History
The Episcopal Church in Iowa can trace its roots to 1836 when services were held occasionally in DubuqueDubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
by the Rev. Richard F. Cadle. He was followed by the Rev. E. G. Gear and the Rev. J. Batchelder. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Philander Chase
Philander Chase
Philander Chase was an Episcopal Church bishop, educator, and pioneer of the United States western frontier in Ohio and Illinois.-Life:...
, Bishop of Illinois, visited Scott County
Scott County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 165,224 in the county, with a population density of . There were 71,835 housing units, of which 66,765 were occupied.-2000 census:...
in the fall of 1837.
The church started to develop across the state of Iowa. In July, 1853, the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper
Jackson Kemper
Bishop Jackson Kemper was the first missionary bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.Baptized David Jackson Kemper by Dr...
, missionary bishop of the Northwest, invited clergy and representatives of all the congregations in the state to meet at Trinity Church
Trinity Episcopal Church (Muscatine, Iowa)
Trinity Episcopal Church is a parish church in the Diocese of Iowa. The church is located in Muscatine, Iowa, United States, at 411 East 2nd Street...
in Muscatine
Muscatine, Iowa
Muscatine is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 22,886 in the 2010 census, an increase from 22,697 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Muscatine County...
. On Wednesday, August 17, the Rev. Alfred Louderback, rector of Trinity Church, Davenport, was elected chairman in the bishop's absence. The constitutions and canons for the diocese were adopted and plans were made for the election of a bishop. The General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America admitted the Diocese of Iowa to its membership in October, 1853.
On May 31, 1854, the first convention of the Diocese of Iowa began in Trinity Church, Davenport. The Rev. Henry Washington Lee, rector of St. Luke's Church, Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, was elected the first bishop of Iowa. He was consecrated in his church in Rochester on October 18, 1854. Bishop Lee preached in the diocese for the first time on October 29, 1854 in St. John's Church, Dubuque.
The cornerstone for Trinity Cathedral, then called Grace Cathedral, was laid in 1867. The building was completed in 1873. It is the second church built as a cathedral in the Episcopal Church in the United States. In 1992 St. Paul's Church in Des Moines was named the diocese's liturgical cathedral and Trinity was maintained as its historic cathedral. Trinity, St. Paul's and ten other Episcopal churches in Iowa are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Coat of arms
The present Coat of ArmsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
for the Diocese of Iowa were designed by Cram and Ferguson and approved at the 1946 Diocesan Convention. The arms consist of the a field of green, which represents Iowa's prairies, bisected by two lines that represent the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
. The gold cross contains five red diamonds which represent the five communities where the Episcopal Church in Iowa was organized: Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
, Davenport
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
, Muscatine
Muscatine, Iowa
Muscatine is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 22,886 in the 2010 census, an increase from 22,697 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Muscatine County...
, Burlington
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
, and Keokuk
Keokuk, Iowa
Keokuk is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Iowa and one of the county seats of Lee County. The other county seat is Fort Madison. The population was 11,427 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the Sauk Chief Keokuk, who is thought to be buried in Rand Park...
. The cross is surrounded by four ears of corn that represents Iowa’s agricultural heritage. A bishop's mitre
Mitre
The mitre , also spelled miter, is a type of headwear now known as the traditional, ceremonial head-dress of bishops and certain abbots in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in the Anglican Communion, some Lutheran churches, and also bishops and certain other clergy in the Eastern Orthodox...
tops the shield and it is surrounded by the words, "Seal of the Diocese of Iowa 1853."
Companion Dioceses
The Diocese of Brechin is part of the Scottish Episcopal ChurchScottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
and is located in North East Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is the smallest of the seven dioceses in Scotland. The cathedral and administrative offices are in Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
.
The Diocese of Swaziland
Anglican Diocese of Swaziland
The Anglican Diocese of Swaziland is a diocese in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.The diocese was founded in 1968. It comprises the country of Swaziland....
is located in southern Africa, and encompasses the entire country of Swaziland
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
. The diocese is part of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
Bishops
The following is a list of the bishops who have served the diocese of Iowa and their dates of service:- † Rt. Rev. Henry Washington LeeHenry Washington LeeHenry Washington Lee was a 19th century bishop in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He served as the first Bishop of Iowa from 1854-1874...
, D.D., LL.D. (October 18, 1854 - September 26, 1874) Died - † Rt. Rev. William Stevens PerryWilliam Stevens PerryWilliam Stevens Perry was a 19th century bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America and an educator. He served as the second bishop of the Diocese of Iowa from 1876 - 1898....
, D.D., LL.D. D.C.L., (September 10, 1876 - May 13, 1898) Died - † Rt. Rev. Theodore Nevin MorrisonTheodore Nevin MorrisonTheodore Nevin Morrison was a 20th century bishop in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He was Bishop of Iowa from 1898 to 1929.-Early life & Ministry:...
, D.D., LL.D. (February 22, 1899 - December 27, 1929) Died - † Rt. Rev. Harry Sherman LongleyHarry Sherman LongleyHarry Sherman Longley was a 20th century bishop in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He served the Diocese of Iowa as suffragan bishop from 1912–1917, coadjutor bishop from 1917–1929, and diocesan bishop from 1929-1943...
, D.D. (October 23, 1912 - November 1, 1843) Retired; Died, April 5, 1944 - † Rt. Rev. Elwood Lindsay HainesElwood Lindsay HainesElwood Lindsay Haines was a 20th century bishop in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He served as the bishop of the Diocese of Iowa from 1944-1949.-Early life & Ministry:...
, D.D. (May 31, 1944 - October 28, 1949) Died - † Rt. Rev. Gordon V. SmithGordon V. SmithGordon V. Smith was a bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He was bishop of the Diocese of Iowa from 1950-1971. He was the first Bishop of Iowa who was canonically resident in the state when he was elected bishop.-Early life & Ministry:Gordon Smith was born in...
, S.T.D., D.D. (April 20, 1950 - December 31, 1971) Retired; Died, August 27, 1997 - † Rt. Rev. Walter Cameron RighterWalter Cameron RighterWalter Cameron Righter was a bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He served the Diocese of Iowa from 1972 to 1988. He then served as assistant bishop for the Diocese of Newark from 1989-1991....
, D.D. (January 12, 1972 - December 31, 1988) Retired; Died September 11, 2011 - Rt. Rev. C. Christopher Epting, D.D. (September 27, 1988 - April 15, 2001) Resigned to become the Episcopal Church's deputy for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
- Rt. Rev. Alan ScarfeAlan Scarfe (Episcopal bishop)Alan Scarfe is a bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He has been the bishop of the Diocese of Iowa since 2003.-Early life & Ministry:...
, D.D. (April 5, 2003–present)
† = Deceased