Walter Dennis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend Walter Decoster Dennis D.D. |
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| Suffragan Bishop of New York | |
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| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | New York |
| Elected | 1979 |
| In Office | 1979–1998 |
| Predecessor | Harold Louis Wright |
| Successor | Catherine S. Roskam |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 1958 |
| Consecration | October 6, 1979 by Paul Moore Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 23, 1932 Washington, D.C., United States |
| Died | March 30, 2003 (aged 70) Hampton, Virginia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | Walter Decoster Dennis Sr. & Helen Louise Maddux |
Walter Decoster Dennis, Jr. (born August 23, 1932 – died March 30, 2003) was an important leader in the Episcopal Church. He served as a suffragan bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of New York. This means he was a helper bishop in New York City. He held this important role from 1979 until he retired in 1998.
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Walter Dennis's Early Life and School
Walter Decoster Dennis, Jr. was born on August 23, 1932. His birthplace was Washington, D.C., in the United States. His parents were Walter Decoster Dennis Sr. and Helen Maddux.
He went to Virginia State College for his first degree. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1952. After that, he studied at New York University. There, he earned a Master of Arts degree in 1953. This degree was in North American history and constitutional law. Later, he went to the General Theological Seminary. He earned his Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1956. In 1972, he also received another special diploma from New York University.
Walter Dennis as a Priest
Walter Dennis became a deacon on June 15, 1956. A deacon is the first step in becoming a priest. Bishop George P. Gunn of Southern Virginia ordained him. This ceremony took place at Grace Church in Norfolk, Virginia.
After becoming a deacon, he worked at St Philip's Church in Brooklyn, New York City. In September of that year, he moved to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. While at the cathedral, he became a priest in June 1958. Bishop Horace W. B. Donegan of New York ordained him.
In 1960, he became the vicar of St Cyprian's Church in Hampton, Virginia. A vicar is a priest in charge of a church. From 1961 to 1965, he also taught history. He was an assistant professor at the Hampton Institute. In 1965, he returned to New York City. He became a residentiary canon at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. During this time, he became well known. He worked on social issues and civil rights. He also taught Christian Ethics at the General Theological Seminary.
Walter Dennis as a Bishop
In 1979, Walter Dennis was chosen to be a Suffragan Bishop of New York. This happened at a special meeting of the Diocese of New York. He was consecrated, or officially made a bishop, on October 6, 1979. The ceremony took place at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Bishop Paul Moore Jr. of New York led the ceremony.
Many people thought he would become the main bishop in 1989. However, he decided not to run for the position. He said it was for health reasons. He stayed as Suffragan Bishop until he retired in 1998. Walter Dennis passed away on March 30, 2003, in Hampton, Virginia.
The Dennis Canon
Walter Dennis helped write something important called the "Dennis Canon". This rule helps protect church property. It says that property owned by a local Episcopal church group actually belongs to the larger Episcopal Church. The idea behind this rule is to prevent local groups from leaving the Episcopal Church and taking the property with them. If a group leaves, the property would go back to the main Episcopal Church.
See also
- Dennis Canon
