William Henry Odenheimer

Background

William Henry Odenheimer was born on August 11, 1817, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of John W. and Henrietta (Burns) Odenheimer.

Education

William Odenheimer received his early education at St. Paul's College, Flushing, under Dr. W. A. Muhlenberg, graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1835, and at the General Theological Seminary in 1838.

Career

William Odenheimer was made deacon September 2, 1838, and ordained priest October 3, 1841, by Bishop Henry U. Onderdonk. Upon admission to the diaconate he became assistant rector of St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, where in 1841 he succeeded William Heathcote De Lancey as rector, remaining in this position until his elevation to the episcopate. St. Peter's Church became during his rectorship one of the most flourishing parishes in the community. He was among the first of Episcopal clergymen in America to establish in his parish a daily service and a weekly celebration of the Holy Communion, practices which have long since become common. So effective was his administrative work, as well as his ministry to his people, that he became known as the "model parish priest. "

During his rectorship Odenheimer made two journeys to Europe, one of which, in 1852, was extended to include a visit to the Holy Land. On his return he delivered a series of lectures in St. Peter's on his travels, which formed the basis of a volume, Jerusalem and Its Vicinity, published in 1855. Elected bishop of New Jersey, May 27, 1859, he was consecrated in St. Paul's Church, Richmond, Virginia, October 13, 1859, during the session of the General Convention in that city. He carried on the work of his diocese with marked ability, combining distinguished scholarship with unusual administrative capacity. He was twice elected assistant secretary to the House of Bishops.

During his episcopate the diocese, which included the entire state of New Jersey, grew so rapidly that it became necessary to divide the territory into the Diocese of New Jersey and the Diocese of Northern New Jersey (later the Diocese of Newark). Bishop Odenheimer was elected to the latter, thus becoming its first bishop. Soon after his removal to the northern diocese in November 1874, his convention granted him a leave of absence for six months because of failing health. This period he spent in England. Though he returned improved in health, he suffered for the remainder of his life through physical infirmity, but carried on his work with energy and courage. While he was of gentle disposition, both his sermons and his charges to his convention were marked by forthrightness.

Odenheimer's published works include: The True Catholic No Romanist (1843); Thoughts on Immersion (1843); The Origin and Compilation of the Prayer Book (1844); Bishop White's Opinions (1846); The Young Churchman Catechized (2 parts, 1846, 1859); The Private Prayer Book (1851); The Devout Churchman's Companion (1853); The Clergyman's Assistant in Reading the Liturgy (1847); The Sacred Scriptures, the Inspired Record of the Glory of the Holy Trinity (1862); The Church's Power in Her Controversy with Anti-Christ (1865); Canon Law (1868). The essay on Canon Law, written for the alumni of the General Theological Seminary, was the first contribution on the subject of church law published for the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. Odenheimer edited The Celebrated Treatise of Joach. Fortius Ringelbergius, De Ratione Studii (1847), translated from the Latin, and, in collaboration with Frederic M. Bird, published Songs of the Spirit (1871).

William Odenheimer died at Burlington, New Jersey. In 1881 his widow published a volume of his sermons, with a memoir.

Achievements

• During Odenheimer's rectorship at St. Peter's Church, his parish became one of the most flourishing in the community. He was one of the first to establish a daily service and a weekly celebration of the Holy Communion, which later became common. For his effective admnistrative work, Odenheimer was known as the "model parish priest. " During Odenheimer's episcopate the Diocese of New Jersey grew so rapidly that it became necessary to divide the territory into the Diocese of New Jersey and the Diocese of Northern New Jersey. William Odenheimer was elected as the first bishop of the Northern New Jersey. Odenheimer's most important works: The True Catholic No Romanist (1843); Thoughts on Immersion (1843); The Origin and Compilation of the Prayer Book (1844); Bishop White's Opinions (1846); The Young Churchman Catechized (2 parts, 1846, 1859); The Private Prayer Book (1851); The Devout Churchman's Companion (1853); The Clergyman's Assistant in Reading the Liturgy (1847); The Sacred Scriptures, the Inspired Record of the Glory of the Holy Trinity (1862); The Church's Power in Her Controversy with Anti-Christ (1865); Canon Law (1868).

Works

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  • The Origin and Compilation of the Prayer Book: With an Appendix, Containing Various Historical Facts and Documents Connected With Our Liturgy (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from The Origin and Compilation of the Prayer Boo...)

  • Sermons (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from Sermons A prominent clergyman* who was a pa...)

  • Songs of the Spirit: Hymns of Praise and Prayer to God the Holy Ghost

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • Jerusalem And Its Vicinity: A Series Of Familiar Lectures On The Sacred Localities Connected With The Week Before The Resurrection

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultura...)

  • Bishop White's opinions on certain theological ecclesiastical points: being a compilation from the - Scholar's Choice Edition

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • The Young Churchman Catechised

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

  • The True Catholic No Romanist: A Vindication Of The Apostolicity And Independence Of The Holy Catholic Church In England And The United States...

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

Connections

William Odenheimer was married to Anne D. R. (Shaw). They had eleven children but only two, Anne and Margaret, would live to adulthood.

Father:

John W. Odenheimer

Mother:

Henrietta (Burns) Odenheimer

Wife:

Anne (Shaw) Odenheimer

Daughter:

Margaret

Daughter:

Anne