John Burgess (bishop) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend John Melville Burgess D.D.
Bishop of Massachusetts
Church	Episcopal Church
See	Massachusetts
In Office	1970–1975
Predecessor	Anson Phelps Stokes Jr.
Successor	John Bowen Coburn
Orders
Ordination	January 25, 1935
Consecration	June 7, 1962 by Arthur C. Lichtenberger
Personal details
Born	March 11, 1909 Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Died	August 24, 2003 (aged 94) Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, United States
Parents	Theodore Thomas Burgess & Ethel Inez Beverly
Spouse	Esther J. Taylor
Children	2
Previous post	Suffragan Bishop of Massachusetts (1962-1969) Coadjutor Bishop of Massachusetts (1969-1970)
Education	University of Michigan (BA, MA) Episcopal Theological School (MDiv)

John Melville Burgess (born March 11, 1909 – died August 24, 2003) was an important religious leader. He served as the twelfth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. This diocese is located in Boston, Massachusetts. Bishop Burgess held this position from 1970 to 1975. He made history as the first African American to lead an Episcopal diocese.

About John Melville Burgess

Early Life and Education

John Melville Burgess was born in 1909. His father, Theodore Thomas Burgess, worked on a train as a dining car waiter. His mother, Ethel Inez Beverly, was a kindergarten teacher. John attended Central High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He went on to study at the University of Michigan. He earned his first degree, a B.A., in 1930. The next year, in 1931, he received his M.A.. Later, he studied at the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1934. He was one of the first Black students to graduate from this school.

His Path in the Church

After his studies, Burgess began his work in the church. He started at St. Philip's Episcopal in Grand Rapids. He also worked in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1946, he became a chaplain at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. A chaplain is a minister who serves a specific institution.

In 1951, he became the first African American to serve as a canon at Washington National Cathedral. A canon is a type of priest who works at a cathedral. In 1956, Burgess moved to the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. There, he became an archdeacon for Boston's churches. He was the first Black archdeacon in New England. An archdeacon helps the bishop manage the churches in a certain area.

Making History as a Bishop

In 1962, John Burgess was chosen to be a suffragan bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. This was a very important step. He became the first African American to be a spiritual leader in an Episcopal diocese that was mostly white. A suffragan bishop assists the main bishop.

Then, in 1970, Bishop Burgess was installed as the diocesan bishop. This meant he was the main leader of the entire diocese. By becoming the diocesan bishop, he made history again. He was the first African American to lead an Episcopal diocese in the United States.

His Work and Impact

Bishop Burgess was known for many important efforts. He worked to improve church activities in cities. He also bravely spoke out against racism in public schools. He supported changes to make prisons better. He worked hard to build understanding between Black and white communities. He also helped make the diocese run more smoothly.

During the Boston school desegregation crisis, he played a key role. He helped keep peace between different groups. His wife, Esther Burgess, was also very active. She peacefully protested against segregation.

Later Years and Recognition

After he retired in 1975, Bishop Burgess continued to teach. He taught about pastoral theology at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Yale Divinity School. He received many special honors. Several universities gave him honorary degrees. These included the University of Michigan, Boston College, and Northeastern University.