The Rev. Joseph Clarkson, third son of Dr. Gerardus Clarkson, was born in Philadelphia, February 27, 1765. He was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1782, and received the degree of Master of Arts, with honors, from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton) three years later. After entering the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Joseph Clarkson was the first candidate to be ordained by Bishop William White, at his first ordination in America, in Christ Church, Philadelphia, on May 28, 1787. He began his ministry in Philadelphia, but soon moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where he was rector of Old Swedes' Church for eight years. His work at St. James' Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, began on July 8, 1799, and continued until his death on January 25, 1830. Besides the city congregation, two other churches in Lancaster County--Bangor Church, at Churchtown, and St. John's Church at Pequea--were included in his ministry. The work of Mr. Clarkson extended beyond the confines of his parishes into the church at large. He was the first secretary of the House of Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and took an active part in adapting the English Book of Common Prayer to the use of the Church in the United States. He died at the age of 63 years.
[The History of St. James' Church, H.M.J. Klein & William F. Diller, 1944]
[The History of St. James' Church, H.M.J. Klein & William F. Diller, 1944]
The Rev. Joseph Clarkson, third son of Dr. Gerardus Clarkson, was born in Philadelphia, February 27, 1765. He was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1782, and received the degree of Master of Arts, with honors, from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton) three years later. After entering the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Joseph Clarkson was the first candidate to be ordained by Bishop William White, at his first ordination in America, in Christ Church, Philadelphia, on May 28, 1787. He began his ministry in Philadelphia, but soon moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where he was rector of Old Swedes' Church for eight years. His work at St. James' Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, began on July 8, 1799, and continued until his death on January 25, 1830. Besides the city congregation, two other churches in Lancaster County--Bangor Church, at Churchtown, and St. John's Church at Pequea--were included in his ministry. The work of Mr. Clarkson extended beyond the confines of his parishes into the church at large. He was the first secretary of the House of Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and took an active part in adapting the English Book of Common Prayer to the use of the Church in the United States. He died at the age of 63 years.
[The History of St. James' Church, H.M.J. Klein & William F. Diller, 1944]
[The History of St. James' Church, H.M.J. Klein & William F. Diller, 1944]
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