Thomas Church Brownell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thomas Church Brownell |
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| 7th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church | |
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| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Appointed | 1852 |
| In Office | 1852–1865 |
| Predecessor | Philander Chase |
| Successor | John Henry Hopkins |
| Other posts | Bishop of Connecticut (1819–1865) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | August 4, 1816 |
| Consecration | October 27, 1819 by William White |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 19, 1779 Westport, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | January 13, 1865 (aged 85) Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Buried | Cedar Hill Cemetery (Hartford, Connecticut) |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | Sylvester Brownell & Mercy Church |
| Spouse | Charlotte Dickinson |
| Children | 3 |
Thomas Church Brownell (born October 19, 1779 – died January 13, 1865) was an important leader in the Episcopal Church. He is known for starting Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. He also served as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church from 1852 until his death in 1865.
Contents
Who Was Thomas Church Brownell?
Thomas Church Brownell was born in Westport, Massachusetts, on October 19, 1779. He went to Union College in New York and graduated in 1804.
Becoming a Church Leader
Brownell became a priest in the Episcopal Church. He was made a bishop for Connecticut on October 27, 1819. As a bishop, he wrote many important papers about church teachings and practices.
Founding Trinity College
One of Brownell's biggest achievements was starting Washington College in Hartford. This college is now known as Trinity College. He wanted to create a place where young men could get a good education and learn about the church. Brownell was the first president of the college for almost ten years.
Leading the Episcopal Church
In 1852, Brownell became the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. This was a very important role, making him the head of the church in the United States. He held this position until he passed away in 1865.
Where He Was Buried
Thomas Church Brownell was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery. He was laid to rest next to Samuel and Elizabeth Colt. Brownell had led their wedding ceremony in 1856.
Thomas Brownell and the American Colonization Society
Thomas Brownell was also involved with the American Colonization Society. In May 1827, a chapter of this group was started in Connecticut, called the Connecticut Colonization Society (CCS). Brownell was chosen to be a manager, which is like being on the board of directors.
What the Society Did
The CCS worked to raise money to help Black Americans move to a colony in Liberia, a country in Africa. The idea was that by educating African-Americans, they could go to Africa as missionaries and share the teachings of Christ.
The Society's Decline
The influence of these Colonization Societies began to fade when the American Civil War started. Between 1821 and 1867, about 10,000 Black Americans moved to Liberia. In 1847, the colony in Liberia declared its independence from the American Colonization Society. This made the society less popular, and it officially closed down in 1964.
Statue Honoring Thomas Brownell
Thomas Brownell's son-in-law, Gordon Burnham, wanted to honor him. He asked an artist named Chauncey Ives to create a large bronze statue of Brownell. This statue was meant to be placed at Brownell's grave.
Where the Statue Is Now
The statue was made in 1869. Instead of putting it at the cemetery, Burnham decided to give it to Trinity College. The statue was first put up on November 11, 1869, near Bushnell Park, where the college was originally located. In 1878, it was moved to the main quadrangle of the new Trinity College campus, where it stands today.
