By Sarah Levesque
Charles Chapman Grafton was born on April 12, 1830, in Boston, Massachusetts. At the age of 21, Grafton was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Two years later, he graduated from Harvard University with a law degree, but soon recognized his calling to the ministry. He studied theology in Maryland under Bishop William Whittingham, and was ordained a deacon in 1855 and a priest in 1858. He was appointed curate at St. Paul’s Church, Baltimore, and chaplain of the deaconesses of the Diocese of Maryland.
In 1865, Fr. Grafton was offered important positions in both Washington and Philadelphia, but instead traveled to Oxford where he met Fr. Richard Meux Benson and Fr. Simeon Wilberforce O’Neill. Together, the three men (known as the Cowley Fathers) founded the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) – the first Anglican monastic order for men. In 1872, Fr. Grafton returned to his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts to fill the post of rector of the Church of the Advent, while at the same time becoming the head of the American Province of SSJE. With Fr. Grafton’s assistance, the Sisters of St. Margaret sent sisters from England to America. He also helped Mother Ruth Margaret to found the Sisters of the Holy Nativity in 1888. One year later, Fr. Grafton was consecrated the bishop of Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, an office he kept for the rest of his life. He wrote a good deal in his life, explaining and defending his faith. Thirty-three years after his consecration as bishop, having won many to the faith, Charles Chapman Grafton died on August 30, 1912 at the age of 82.
May we always follow Bishop Grafton’s constant injunction: “Press on the Kingdom!”
Sources:
LogoSophia Magazine 
Amen. Thank you.
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