Derwyn Owen

Derwyn Trevor Owen (29 July 1876— 9 April 1947)^[1] was the sixth Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and the fifth Bishop of Niagara then Toronto.^[2]

Early life and career

Educated at Trinity College, Toronto, he was ordained in 1901. He held curacies at St John’s Church, Toronto and then St James’ Cathedral in the same city. He was rector of Holy Trinity Church, Toronto from 1908 to 1914^[3] and then the Dean of Niagara until his ordination to the episcopate.

Episcopate

Owen was consecrated as Bishop on 24 June 1925 and enthroned as Bishop of Niagara. He was translated in 1932 to be the Bishop of Toronto. In 1934 he was elected Primate of All Canada, and thereafter styled Archbishop of Toronto and Primate of All Canada^[2] (although he was not the Metropolitan of the Province of Ontario, of which Toronto diocese is a part).

Private life

Owen was a Freemason, and a member of Ionic Lodge No 25, Toronto.^[4] He married Nora Grier Jellett. On his death he was buried in Saint John's Anglican Church Cemetery, Toronto.^[5] Which was the same place one of his teachers, Reverend Richard Ashcroft from Toronto Church School,^[6] and also rector of the Saint John's Anglican Church from 1900-1926^[7] was buried.^[8] His son, Derwyn R.G. Owen, became Provost of Trinity College, Toronto, Owen Snr's old college.^[9]

References