Alpheus Waters Wilson
American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (1834–1916)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alpheus Waters Wilson (February 5, 1834 – November 21, 1916) was an American bishop for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South from 1882 to his death in 1916.
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Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Alpheus Waters Wilson | |
|---|---|
Wilson in 1914 publication | |
| Born | February 5, 1834 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | November 21, 1916 (aged 82) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Loudon Park Cemetery Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Columbian University |
| Occupation | Clergyman |
| Spouse |
Susan B. Lipscomb
(m. 1857; died 1908) |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
Alpheus Waters Wilson was born on February 5, 1834, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Cornelia Laurence (née Howland) and Norval Wilson. His father was a preacher and elder of the Methodist Church.[1] Wilson attended public schools in Baltimore and graduated from Columbian University (later George Washington University).[1][2][3]
Career
In 1853, Wilson was received on trial in Baltimore Conference Methodist Episcopal Church. He served four years as junior preacher and two years as pastor of circuits.[1][2][4] From 1859 to 1870, Wilson was a supernumerary member of the conference. He practiced law sometime during this period.[4] Around 1866, Wilson and the Baltimore Conference moved to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.[4] He founded Trinity Church, the first Southern Methodist church in Baltimore.[3] From 1870 to 1873, Wilson was presiding elder of the Washington District. From 1873 to 1877, he was pastor of Mount Vernon Place Church in Washington City. He was a pastor of Calvary Church in Baltimore from March 1877 to May 1878.[4] In 1878, Wilson was made secretary of the board of missions and in 1882, he was consecrated as a bishop. From 1898 to his death, Wilson was senior bishop, succeeding Bishop John Christian Keener.[1][2] He also served as president of the board of missions and chairman of the College of Bishops.[2]
In 1886, 1888 and 1890, he took bishop tours around the world. He traveled to Japan, Korea and China in 1898–1900 and 1907. He was a delegate to the ecumenical conference in London in 1881 and 1901. He was also a delegate to the ecumenical conference in Washington, D.C., in 1891 and Toronto in 1911. Wilson visited Brazil on mission inspection from 1892 to 1903.[1]
Wilson wrote religious articles and papers, including the book "Mission: Witnesses to Christ".[1][3]
Personal life
Wilson married Susan B. Lipscomb, daughter of a Methodist preacher, on March 4, 1857. His wife died in 1908.[1][3] They had three daughters, Maybelle, Nina and Mrs. William L. Weber.[3]
Wilson had asthma. He died from pneumonia and heart failure on November 21, 1916, at his home at 1600 Park Place in Baltimore.[4][3] He was buried in Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore.[3]
