Oliver James Hart (July 18, 1892 - May 4, 1978) was a priest who was elected as coadjutor bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, serving as diocesan from 1943 to 1963.

The Right Reverend

Oliver James Hart

D.D., LL.D.
Bishop of Pennsylvania
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DiocesePennsylvania
In office1943–1963
PredecessorFrancis Marion Taitt
SuccessorJ. Gillespie Armstrong
Previous post(s)Coadjutor Bishop of Pennsylvania (1942-1943)
Orders
OrdinationJune 20, 1917
by William A. Guerry
Consecration16 October 1942
by Henry St. George Tucker
Personal details
Born(1892-07-18)July 18, 1892
DiedMay 4, 1978(1978-05-04) (aged 85)
Orange, New Jersey, United States
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsGeorge Washington Seabrook Hart and Ellen Almene Hackett
SpouseMary McBee Hart
Children1
Alma materHobart College

Early life and education

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Oliver James Hart was born on July 18, 1892, in York, South Carolina. He graduated from Hobart College in 1913, and earned an S.T.B. from General Theological Seminary in 1916. He would later earn a B.D. from Union Seminary, a LL.D from Hobart College and a D.D. from the University of the South and the University of Chattanooga.

Career

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He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Charles Sumner Burch, Suffragan of New York, in 1916 and then to the priesthood ion June 20, 1917, by Bishop William A. Guerry of South Carolina. He was curate of St. Michael's Church, Charleston, South Carolina, that same year. He served as a chaplain during the First World War, becoming chaplain of the First Division. He returned to St. Michael's in 1919 as an assistant minister. From 1920 to 1926 he served at Christ Church, Macon, Georgia. From 1926 to 1934 he served at St. Paul's Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He became the rector of St. John's Church, Washington, D.C., in 1934 and continued there until 1940. During that time he declined election as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Tennessee and then declined election as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Central New York.

In 1940 he became rector of Trinity Church, Boston. In February 1942 he asked for, and was granted, a leave to serve again as a chaplain in the United States Army. He served as a captain in the Army Chaplains Corps, and was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was released from his chaplaincy in October when he was consecrated as the Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. He would become the Diocesan Bishop in July, 1943 after the death of the Rt. Rev. Francis M. Taitt.

Death and legacy

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Upon retiring he and Mrs. Hart had made their home in Castine, Me. Bishop Hart suffered injuries in a fall on April 22, 1978. He would die from complications of the fall on May 4, 1978, at Orange Memorial Hospital, Orange, N.J.

References

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Episcopal Church (USA) titles
Preceded by 10th Bishop of Pennsylvania
coadjutor, 1942-1943

1943-1963
Succeeded by