Randolph Claiborne

The Right Reverend
 Randolph Royall Claiborne, Jr.
Bishop of Atlanta
Province The Episcopal Church
Diocese Atlanta
See St. Philip Cathedral
Enthroned 1953
Reign ended 1972
Predecessor John B. Walthour
Successor Bennett J. Sims
Personal details
Born November 7, 1906(1906-11-07)
Farmville, Virginia
Died 1986

Randolph Royall Claiborne, Jr. (November 7, 1906–1986) was the 5th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, elected in 1952. Previously he had served as Bishop Suffragan in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama.

Contents

Background

Randolph was born November 7, 1906, to The Rev. Randolph Royall Claiborne, vicar of the Episcopal Church in Farmville, Virginia, and Mary Thomas Clark. The Claiborne family moved to Marietta, Georgia, where Randolph, Sr. would serve as Rector at St. James' Church.

Randolph, Jr. attended the University of Virginia, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1928. He then attended Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, receiving his Master of Divinity in 1931. From 1932 to 1938, he served as Rector of St. James' Church, Macon, Georgia. From there he moved to Church of the Nativity in Huntsville, Alabama, serving from 1938 to 1949 as rector.

In 1949, he was elected bishop suffragan of Alabama. In 1952, he was chosen to serve as the fifth bishop of Atlanta. He was installed as diocesan bishop at a service held in St. Peter's Church in Rome, Georgia. According to C.J. Wyatt's history of St. Peter's Church[1] this was so that he could say he had been consecrated at "St. Peter's in Rome." Bishop Clairborne told the Annual Council Meeting of the diocese that met the weekend of his consecration of his connections to the previous bishops. Wyatt writes:

"Every Bishop of Atlanta had been my friend." Bishop Nelson had often visited his home during the Georgia ministry of his father; Bishop Mikell had been "an inspiration during the days of my youth" and later. Bishop Walker was the examining chaplain who certified him for ordination. Bishop Walthour "became my friend during the years in which we both took Holy Orders."[2]

He married Clara Virginia Kinney Stribling on June 9, 1953. Bishop Claiborne retired in 1972, and was given the title "Bishop Emeritus" in honor of his 20-year service to the diocese.

Consecrators

Randolph Claiborne was the 489th bishop consecrated in the Episcopal Church.

See also

References

  1. ^ Upon This Rock: 150 Years in the Life of St. Peter's Church, Rome, Georgia by Dr. C.J. Wyatt, Jr. St. Peter's Church: Rome, GA (1994).
  2. ^ Upon This Rock: 150 Years in the Life of St. Peter's Church, Rome, Georgia by Dr. C.J. Wyatt, Jr. St. Peter's Church: Rome, GA (1994).
Episcopal Church (USA) titles
Preceded by
John B. Walthour
5th Bishop of Atlanta
1953–1972
Succeeded by
Bennett J. Sims