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Francis Fulford (bishop)
Encyclopedia
Francis Fulford, DD was an Anglo-Catholic bishop of Montreal
.
shire, by Anna Maria, eldest daughter of William Adams, M.P. for Totnes
, was born at Sidmouth
3 June 1803, and baptised at Dunsford
, 14 October 1804. He was educated at Blundell's School
, whence he matriculated at Oxford from Exeter College
1 February 1821, and was elected a fellow of his college 30 June 1824, but vacated his fellowship 18 October 1830 by marrying Mary, eldest daughter of Andrew Berkeley Drummond of Cadlands, Hampshire
. Fulford proceeded B.A. in 1827, and M.A. 1838, and was created an honorary D.D. 6 July 1850.
He was ordained a deacon
in 1826, and became curate
of Holne
, Devonshire, afterwards removing to the curacy of Fawley
. The Duke of Rutland
instituted him to the rectory of Trowbridge
, Wiltshire
, in 1832, where he resided for ten years, and as a justice of the peace
as well as a clergyman commanded respect and conciliated goodwill. In 1842 he accepted the rectory of Croydon, Cambridgeshire
, which he held until 1845, when he was nominated by Earl Howe
as minister of Curzon Chapel, Mayfair
, London.
, Canada
, and consecrated in Westminster Abbey
on 25 July. He landed at St. John's on 12 September and was enthroned in Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal, on 15 September. In the following month he was actively at work, and the church society of the diocese of Montreal was organised. On 20 January 1852 the primary visitation was held, when he won great respect from all parties by his declaration that the church of England in Canada, politically considered, "exists but as one of many religious bodies." Montreal was next mapped out into ecclesiastical boundaries, and each district thus divided was set apart as the conventional parish of the neighbouring church. The bishop cheerfully co-operated with all the societies that were established for benevolent, scientific, and philanthropic purposes, and wrote papers for, and delivered lectures at, mechanics' institutes and working men's clubs. On 21 May 1857 he laid the foundation-stone of his new cathedral, where on Advent Sunday
, 1859, he preached the opening sermon. Unfortunately the great cost of this building involved the diocese in a heavy debt, the thought of which so preyed on the bishop's mind that he practised the utmost economy throughout the remaining years of his life in an endeavour to pay off the amount.
He died in the see-house, Montreal, 9 September 1868, and was buried on 12 September, when the universal respect which his moderation had won for him was shown by the bell of the Roman Catholic Church
being tolled as the funeral procession passed.
Bishop of Montreal
Bishop of Montreal may refer to:* the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Montreal* the Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal...
.
Early years
Fulford, second son of Baldwin Fulford of Fulford Magna, DevonDevon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
shire, by Anna Maria, eldest daughter of William Adams, M.P. for Totnes
Totnes (UK Parliament constituency)
Totnes is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament , using the first-past-the-post voting system....
, was born at Sidmouth
Sidmouth
Sidmouth is a small town on the English Channel coast in Devon, South West England. The town lies at the mouth of the River Sid in the East Devon district, south east of Exeter. It has a population of about 15,000, of whom 40% are over 65....
3 June 1803, and baptised at Dunsford
Dunsford
Dunsford is a village in Devon, England, just inside the Dartmoor National Park.The village has a number of traditional thatched cottages; a primary school which has a swimming pool, climbing wall and sports field; one village shop and post office; a tea room and a public house. St. Mary's Church,...
, 14 October 1804. He was educated at Blundell's School
Blundell's School
Blundell's School is a co-educational day and boarding independent school located in the town of Tiverton in the county of Devon, England. The school was founded in 1604 by the will of Peter Blundell, one of the richest men in England at the time, and relocated to its present location on the...
, whence he matriculated at Oxford from Exeter College
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the fourth oldest college of the University. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street...
1 February 1821, and was elected a fellow of his college 30 June 1824, but vacated his fellowship 18 October 1830 by marrying Mary, eldest daughter of Andrew Berkeley Drummond of Cadlands, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. Fulford proceeded B.A. in 1827, and M.A. 1838, and was created an honorary D.D. 6 July 1850.
He was ordained a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in 1826, and became curate
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
of Holne
Holne
Holne is a village and civil parish on the southeastern slopes of Dartmoor in Devon, England. A community has existed here since at least the 11th century, and today a population of around 250 people is served by a church and a public house, the Church House Inn.-Village:The Church of St Mary the...
, Devonshire, afterwards removing to the curacy of Fawley
Fawley
Fawley is a place name that is used more than once in the United Kingdom. In each case, the origins of the name are different:* Fawley, Berkshire * South Fawley, sometimes called Little Fawley...
. The Duke of Rutland
Duke of Rutland
Earl of Rutland and Duke of Rutland are titles in the peerage of England, derived from Rutland, a county in the East Midlands of England. The Earl of Rutland was elevated to the status of Duke in 1703 and the titles were merged....
instituted him to the rectory of Trowbridge
Trowbridge
Trowbridge is the county town of Wiltshire, England, situated on the River Biss in the west of the county, approximately 12 miles southeast of Bath, Somerset....
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, in 1832, where he resided for ten years, and as a justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
as well as a clergyman commanded respect and conciliated goodwill. In 1842 he accepted the rectory of Croydon, Cambridgeshire
Croydon, Cambridgeshire
Croydon is a village and civil parish in South Cambridgeshire, England. It is south-west of Cambridge and immediately west of the A1198 road . The population in 2001 was 221 people...
, which he held until 1845, when he was nominated by Earl Howe
Earl Howe
Earl Howe is a title that has been created twice in British history, for members of the Howe and Curzon-Howe family respectively.The first creation, in the Peerage of Great Britain, was in 1788 for Richard Howe, but became extinct on his death in 1799....
as minister of Curzon Chapel, Mayfair
Mayfair
Mayfair is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster.-History:Mayfair is named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place on the site that is Shepherd Market today...
, London.
Life as a missionary
On the projection of the Colonial Church Chronicle and Missionary Journal in 1848 he was chosen editor, and in this way acquired a knowledge of the condition of the colonial church. On 19 July 1850 he was gazetted the first bishop of the new diocese of MontrealDiocese of Montreal
Diocese of Montreal can refer to:* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal* Anglican Diocese of Montreal...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and 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,...
on 25 July. He landed at St. John's on 12 September and was enthroned in Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal, on 15 September. In the following month he was actively at work, and the church society of the diocese of Montreal was organised. On 20 January 1852 the primary visitation was held, when he won great respect from all parties by his declaration that the church of England in Canada, politically considered, "exists but as one of many religious bodies." Montreal was next mapped out into ecclesiastical boundaries, and each district thus divided was set apart as the conventional parish of the neighbouring church. The bishop cheerfully co-operated with all the societies that were established for benevolent, scientific, and philanthropic purposes, and wrote papers for, and delivered lectures at, mechanics' institutes and working men's clubs. On 21 May 1857 he laid the foundation-stone of his new cathedral, where on Advent Sunday
Advent Sunday
Advent Sunday is the first day of the liturgical year in the Western Christian churches. It also marks the start of the season of Advent. In the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist churches the celebrant wears violet-coloured or blue vestments on this day, and the first violet or blue...
, 1859, he preached the opening sermon. Unfortunately the great cost of this building involved the diocese in a heavy debt, the thought of which so preyed on the bishop's mind that he practised the utmost economy throughout the remaining years of his life in an endeavour to pay off the amount.
Final years and legacy
On 9 July 1860 the queen caused letters patent to be issued promoting Fulford to the office of metropolitan of Canada and elevating the see of Montreal to the dignity of a metropolitical see, with the city of Montreal as the seat of that see, and on 10 September in the following year the first provincial synod of the united church of England and Ireland in Canada was held at Montreal. It was chiefly on the representation of the synod of Canada that the Archbishop of Canterbury held the pan-Anglican synod at Lambeth 24–27 Sept. 1867, on which occasion the Bishop of Montreal visited England and took part in the proceedings. He, however, seems on this journey to have overtaxed his strength, and never afterwards had good health.He died in the see-house, Montreal, 9 September 1868, and was buried on 12 September, when the universal respect which his moderation had won for him was shown by the bell of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
being tolled as the funeral procession passed.
Publications
- ‘A Sermon at the Visitation of Venerable L. Clarke, Archdeacon of Sarum,’ 1833.
- ‘A Course of Plain Sermons on the Ministry, Doctrine, and Services of the Church of England,’ 2 vols. 1837–40.
- ‘The Interpretation of Law and the Rule of Faith,’ an assize sermon, 1838.
- ‘The Progress of the Reformation in England,’ 1841.
- ‘A Pastoral Letter to the Clergy of the Diocese,’ 1851.
- ‘An Address delivered in the Chapel of the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States,’ 1852.
- ‘A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Montreal,’ 1852.
- ‘The Sermon at the Consecration of H. Potter to the Episcopate,’ 1854.
- ‘Five Occasional Lectures delivered in Montreal,’ 1859.
- ‘Sermons, Addresses, and Statistics of the Diocese of Montreal,’ 1865. Fulford's latest publication was ‘A Pan-Anglican Synod: a Sermon,’ 1867.
External links
- Biography at the 'Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
- material by Fulford from Project CanterburyProject CanterburyProject Canterbury is an online archive of material related to the history of Anglicanism. It was founded by Richard Mammana, Jr. in 1999, and is hosted by the non-profit Society of Archbishop Justus...
- Fulford's 'Speculum Gregis' for the Parish of Croydon Cambridgeshire'