The Right Rev. John Poyntz Tyler, D.D. (June 15, 1862–June 27, 1931),[1] described “as a great preacher and pastor to people” was the fourth Episcopal Bishop of North Dakota and served from 1914 to his death in 1931.[2] Born to privilege, John Poyntz Tyler was the son of Jane T. (Blake) Tyler and Dr. Wat H. Tyler, M.D., of Hanover County, Virginia. Dr. Tyler was the nephew of President John Tyler.[3]
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John Ponytz Tyler was raised in Cople Parish, Virginia. Cople Parish (1664) is coterminous with Cople District, southwestern Westmoreland County. Before formation, the area was part of Nomini Parish (1653). Among Cople’s vestry and leading parishioners were Richard Henry Lee; Bushrod Washington; George Eskridge; Mary Ball; and Robert Carter. During the next century, Nomini Church fell into decay and was then rebuilt. The Yeocomico Church of the same parish was also restored. A rectory was established in Hague, Virginia. This became the parish center. A chapel served Hague. St. James’ Church served Tidwells on the river. Both John Brockenbrough Newton and John Poyntz Tyler were raised in this parish, and became Epsicopal bishops. When later the Archdeacon of Virginia, John Poyntz Tyler would found the Association for the Preservation of Yeocomico Church (1906), just prior to becoming Rector, Saint John’s Church (Hagertown, Maryland).[4]
Tyler graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1888, from which he took his doctorate in divinity in 1914.[5] He married Ada Rodrick in 1890 and they had six children: Mary, Jane, Blake, Ada Rodrick, Wat Henry, and John Poyntz. His early ministry served his native Virginia, being elevated to deacon in 1888 and consecrated as priest in 1889, both occurring at Prince Edward Parish Church. Between 1888 and 1891, Tyler was in charge of Westover Parish, Charles City County, Virginia. In 1891, Tyler became Rector, Christ Church, Millwood, successor to the “Old Chapel”. The “Old Chapel” (1702) was the first Episcopal house of worship west of the Blue Ridge. In the 1840s, the congregation outgrew the "Old Chapel" and built Christ Church at Millwood, Virginia. During this period, many Episcopal churches from the southern Shenandoah Valley out into the former Virginia jurisdiction now known as “West Virginia” were established by the Rt. Rev. William Meade, third Bishop of Virginia, and fifth rector of Christ Church, Millwood. The parish had been named "Frederick," for the Virginia county from which it was formed (1733). Poyntz served until 1895.[6]
Following assignment to Christ Church, Millwood, Tyler was rector of St. Paul’s Church at Greenville, Ohio for 1895-96 and the Church of the Advent, Philadelphia (1896–1904). In 1904, he was appointed Archdeacon of Virginia, a position in which he served until 1907. Leaving Richmond in 1907, Tyler took the position of Rector, Saint John’s Church (Hagerstown, Maryland) and Archdeacon of Cumberland. He served at Hagerstown until January 6, 1914, when he was consecrated missionary Bishop of North Dakota at Saint John’s Church. In the interim, he was elected Archdeacon of Alabama and Southern Virginia (positions he declined).
Arriving in Fargo, North Dakota during the Winter 1913-1914, Bishop Tyler commenced his stewardship of the fledging congregation during a time of expansion. During Tyler’s North Dakota service, the 1919 Episcopal General Convention initiated a national fund increased grants to missionary districts such as Bishop Tyler's, which qualified for funding during 1920-21. Episcopalians began to match the missionary efforts of the Presbyterians, Methodists, and Congregationalists.[7] Despite the national funding, a severe agricultural depression followed a series of severe droughts. Farm prices depressed as the cost of manufactured products rose. Bankruptcies and bank failures increased. The number of North Dakotan Episcopal institutions was modest due to the lack of money and leadership. However, despite the economic hardship, John Poyntz Tyler was successful in founding several. In Valley City, North Dakota, a home for young women attending Normal School was opened in Church Hall. Pelican Lake property was purchased in western Minnesota to serve as the Samuel C. Edsall Holiday House (a camp, retreat and conference center). Bishop Tyler also supported The Girl's Friendly Society, which grew to 20 societies totaling 200 communicants by 1924. More impressive, Tyler reduced the indebtedness of the Diocese. As was said after his death, “[s]ome part of the tenacity of the churches in this large sea of Lutherans and Catholics can be credited to Bishop Tyler's success in instilling in members a sense of their worth and mission.”[8]
On July 13, 1931, Bishop Tyler retired from active service to the Diocese. He died at Fargo, North Dakota of heart disease two weeks later on July 27, 1931.[9]
| Episcopal Church (USA) titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Cameron Mann |
4th Bishop of North Dakota 1913 – 1931 |
Succeeded by Frederick D. Bartlett |