John Poyntz Tyler

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, Tyler was the son of Jane T. (Blake) Tyler and Dr. Wat H. Tyler, M.D., of Westmoreland County, Virginia. Dr. Tyler was the nephew of President John Tyler.^[3]

Early Life & Career

John Ponytz Tyler was raised in Cople Parish, Virginia, as was John Brockenbrough Newton, who likewise became an Episcopal bishop. Cople Parish (founded 1664) is coterminous with Cople District, southwestern Westmoreland County, of which only the somewhat more recent Yeocomico Church was restored (through the efforts of John Poyntz Tyler, and which remains the fourth oldest complete church in the state). The area had been part of Nomini Parish (established 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. St. James’ Church served Tidwells on the Potomac River. A chapel and rectory established in Hague became the parish center.^[4]

Tyler graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1888, from which he later received a doctorate in divinity (1914).^[5] He married Ada Rodrick in 1890 and they had six children: Mary, Jane, Blake, Ada Rodrick, Wat Henry, and John Poyntz. His first assignment, after being ordained a deacon at Prince Edward Parish Church, was at Westover Parish, Charles City, a position he held until 1891 (having been consecrated as priest in 1889). In 1891, Tyler became rector at Christ Church, Millwood which had been built in the 1840s to serve the growing congregation of the “Old Chapel” (established in 1702 as the first Episcopal house of worship west of the Blue Ridge), where he served until 1895. Many Episcopal churches from the southern Shenandoah Valley out into what became West Virginia were established by the Rt. Rev. William Meade, third Bishop of Virginia, and Christ Church, Millwood's fifth rector. That parish had once been named "Frederick," for the Virginia county from which it was formed in 1733.^[6]

Tyler next served as rector of St. Paul’s Church at Greenville, Ohio for 1895-96 and in 1896-1904 held the same position at the Church of the Advent, Philadelphia.^[7] In 1904, he returned to Virginia by accepting an appointment as Archdeacon of Virginia, based in Richmond. In 1907 returned to the Appalachian region, accepting a position as rector of Saint John’s Church in Hagerstown, Maryland), with the title Archdeacon of Cumberland, where he served until January 6, 1914, when he was consecrated missionary Bishop of North Dakota. In the interim, Tyler declined offered positions as Archdeacon of Alabama and of Southern Virginia.

Service as Bishop, North Dakota

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.^[8] Despite the national funding, a severe agricultural depression followed a series of severe droughts. Farm prices were 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, Bishop Tyler was successful in founding several institutions. 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. As well, 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.”^[9]

Death

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.^[10]

References

See also

• Tractarianism