Christopher Bethell facts for kids
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Christopher Bethell (born 21 April 1773 – died 19 April 1859) was an important church leader. He served as the Bishop of Bangor for many years. A bishop is a high-ranking priest who oversees a group of churches called a diocese.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Christopher Bethell was born in Isleworth, Surrey. His father, Reverend Richard Bethell, was a church rector in Wallingford, Berkshire. Christopher was the second son in his family.
He went to King's College, Cambridge, a famous university. He studied hard and earned several degrees there. He received his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 1796. Later, he earned his Master of Arts (MA) in 1799. In 1817, he completed his Doctor of Divinity (DD) degree. While at Cambridge, he also earned a special award called a fellowship.
Church Career
Christopher Bethell held several important positions in the church. From 1808 to 1830, he was the rector of Kirby Wiske in Yorkshire. A rector is the main priest of a parish.
In 1814, he became the Dean of Chichester. A dean is a senior priest who leads a cathedral. Later, in 1830, he also became a prebendary of Exeter. This is another type of church official.
Becoming a Bishop
Bethell's career advanced quickly. In 1824, he was chosen to be the Bishop of Gloucester. This was a big step up in the church.
Then, in 1830, he was moved to become the Bishop of Exeter. This position offered more income. Later that same year, he was moved again to become the Bishop of Bangor. He stayed in this important role until he passed away.
Beliefs and Challenges
Bishop Bethell was known for his strong beliefs. He belonged to the High Church party. This group focused on traditional church practices and teachings.
He also wrote several books about theology. His most famous book was A General View of the Doctrine of Regeneration in Baptism, published in 1821. He also wrote many sermons and speeches.
One big challenge for Bishop Bethell in Bangor was the language barrier. Most people in his diocese spoke Welsh. However, Bishop Bethell did not know Welsh. This made it hard for him to connect with and help many of the people he served.
Later Life and Death
Bishop Christopher Bethell passed away on 19 April 1859. He died at his home in Bangor. He was buried in the churchyard at Llandygai on 27 April. At the time of his death, he was the oldest active bishop in Wales.
