Born in Trenton on May 25, 1799, Doane was the son of Jonathan Doane, a builder and architect of New Jersey's first State House. He grew up in Geneva, New York, and graduated from Union College in 1818. The following year he became a candidate for Holy Orders. While studying for the ministry, he taught in a classical school for boys, which earned him a professorship at Trinity College in 1825. Prior to his election as second bishop of New Jersey in 1832, he served as rector of Trinity Church, New York, taught at Washington College in Connecticut and was rector of Trinity Boston. He was offered the rectorship of St. Mary's upon the death of Charles Wharton. While in Burlington, he established St. Mary's Hall and Burlington College (1837), started 54 new parishes, and wrote several hymns and numerous poems. One of his most significant contributions is to American architecture. Work with two noted ecclesiastical architects, Richard Upjohn and John Notman, Doane built the earliest English Gothic Revival structure in North America (New St. Mary's, 1847-54) and earliest Italianate villa (his residence, Riverside, in 1846). His death, on April 27, 1859, was mourned by the entire city

Born in Trenton on May 25, 1799, Doane was the son of Jonathan Doane, a builder and architect of New Jersey's first State House. He grew up in Geneva, New York, and graduated from Union College in 1818. The following year he became a candidate for Holy Orders. While studying for the ministry, he taught in a classical school for boys, which earned him a professorship at Trinity College in 1825. Prior to his election as second bishop of New Jersey in 1832, he served as rector of Trinity Church, New York, taught at Washington College in Connecticut and was rector of Trinity Boston. He was offered the rectorship of St. Mary's upon the death of Charles Wharton. While in Burlington, he established St. Mary's Hall and Burlington College (1837), started 54 new parishes, and wrote several hymns and numerous poems. One of his most significant contributions is to American architecture. Work with two noted ecclesiastical architects, Richard Upjohn and John Notman, Doane built the earliest English Gothic Revival structure in North America (New St. Mary's, 1847-54) and earliest Italianate villa (his residence, Riverside, in 1846). His death, on April 27, 1859, was mourned by the entire city