Background
Baker, James Chamberlain was born on June 2, 1879 in Sheldon, Illinois, United States. Son of Benjamin Webb and Martha Frances (Henry) Baker.
Baker, James Chamberlain was born on June 2, 1879 in Sheldon, Illinois, United States. Son of Benjamin Webb and Martha Frances (Henry) Baker.
Bachelor of Arts, Illinois Wesleyan University, 1898, Doctor of Divinity, 1913. Bachelor of Sacred Theology, Boston University, 1905. Doctor of Laws, Illinois Wesleyan University, 1928.
Cornell College, 1930, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1931, College of the Pacific, 1934, University of Southern California, 1940.
Doctor of Humane Letters, Boston University, 1943.
Professor of Greek, Missouri Wesleyan College, Cameron, 1898-1902. Entered Mechanical Engineering ministry, 1900. Pastor Ashland, Massachusetts, 1903-1905, McLean, Illinois, 1905-1907, Trinity Church, Urbana, 1907-1928.
Organizer and head of Wesley Foundation, University of Illinois (the first Wesley Foundation in the country).
Elected bishop of Methodist Episcopal Church, 1928, assigned to supervision of work in Japan, of Korea and Manchuria, assigned to San Francisco area, 1932, California, 1939, Los Angeles, 1940-1952. Visiting professor School of Religion, University of Southern California Delaware General Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church Church, 1916, 20, 24, 28, Oxford Conference, 1937, Madras Conference, 1938.
Vice president International Missionary Council since 1838, chairman, 1941-1947, chairman Whitbey Conference, 1947, International Missinary Council, 1941-1947. Member 4 man delegate from Protestant Churches of America to Japan, October 1945.
Member Cambridge, England, conference on church and international affairs, August 1946.
Member program committee organization meeting World Council of Churches, summer 1948, also member 1st Assembly and committee of 90. Member Board of Foreign Mission, 1916-1920.
Member Acacia Fraternity. Mason (32°). Honorary. Member A.K.L.
Married Lena Benson; children: Lois Benson, Elizabeth Benson (deceased).
