Frederick Hesley Belden

Background

The son of Stacy Beardsley Denn Belden and Emma May Hesley, he attended Hartwick College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1932.

Career

He went on the study at the General Theological Seminary, where he earned an South.T.B. in 1936 and in 1970, was awarded an South.T.D. degree. They had four children. From there, he became rector of Street John"s Church, Johnstown, New York from 1942 to 1949.

He first came to Rhode Island to become rector of Saint Paul"s Church, North Kingston, Rhode Island in 1949. while rector there, he served as President of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches in 1964-1965 and warden of the Guild of Ascension, 1961-1969.

In 1971, he was elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Rhode Island. He succeeded Bishop Higgins the following year and remained Bishop of Rhode Island until his death in 1979.

Noteworthy during his time as president of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches and especially during his time as bishop were his ecumenical efforts as evidenced, in part, by formation of a covenant relationship between twelve parishes of the Diocese of Rhode Island and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. These efforts were recognized with the award of honorary doctorate degrees by Brown University and Providence College.

He was buried at the Old Narragansett Church.

Connections

Father:

Stacy Beardsley Denn Belden

Mother:

Emma May (Hesley) Belden

Spouse:

Dorothy Elizabeth Reumann

child:

Bruce Edward Belden

child:

David Allan Belden

child:

Jeffrey Owen Belden

child:

Patricia Belden (Mistress Paul Conrad Carlson)