Cuthbert Bardsley
Anglican | |
---|---|
Parents | Norman Bardsley and Annie Mabel Killick |
Spouse | Ellen Mitchell |
Education | Eton College |
Alma mater | New College, Oxford |
Cuthbert Killick Norman Bardsley
Formative years
Cuthbert Bardsley was born at
Cuthbert was educated at Summer Fields School, Oxford[4] and entered Eton College in 1919. At 6' 6" in height when fully grown he was a natural sportsman and Bardsley excelled at sport and showed aptitude for art. A regular attender at Eton college chapel Bardsley left Eton in 1926 ... still a nominal adherent of the Lord but far from a committed follower...[3] At
Ministry
As an Anglican ordinand Bardsley attended Westcott House, Cambridge, in 1930, where the principal was Bertram Cunningham, who has been described by Archbishop Donald Coggan as "a man who probably influenced the Church of England more than other teacher this (20th) century".[5] He was not, however, an enthusiast of the Oxford Group believing that the zealousness of some of the adherents could lead to a situation of Schism. There were tensions at Westcott during these years but Cunningham's teaching methods overcame potential rifts.[3] Bardsley's time at Westcott House proved a happy period in his life. He was part of an influential in-take and contemporaries include: Launcelot Fleming, later Bishop of Norwich, Forbes Horan later Bishop of Tewkesbury and Geoffrey Tiarks, Bishop of Maidstone.
Whilst at Westcott House, Bardsley met
Bardsley returned to London in 1940 as vicar of
Bardsley spent four years at Woolwich, later moving to the position of
Ministry as Bishop
Although based at Croydon as one of Archbishop Fisher's suffragans, Bardsley was instructed to continue his mission to the Combined Forces. He remained as Bishop of Croydon for nearly nine years combining pastoral duties in Croydon with frequent visits overseas in support of his priests working with the Forces. Croydon had been badly bombed during the war and Bardsley involved himself in the reconstruction that was needed. The importance of taking the mission to industry remained a central tenet and he founded the Croydon Industrial Chaplaincy in 1950 to promote Christianity’s relationship with local industry. Bardsley realised that the Church needed to provide practical leadership if it was to remain relevant to many peoples' lives that had been disrupted by the War and the long period of austerity that followed.[3]
The huge workload that Bardsley undertook started to effect his health and after a visit to Kenya in 1952 he suffered a minor
Following the death in office of Bishop Neville Gorton in 1956, Cuthbert Bardsley was appointed to the See of Coventry.[8] The Fourteenth Century The Cathedral Church of St. Michael had been destroyed overnight on 14 November 1940 during the Coventry Blitz by the Luftwaffe. In the following years a new cathedral, designed by architect Basil Spence and next to the ruins of the old cathedral was built and consecreated in 1962. Bardsley oversaw its renewal as a centre of Christian teaching. As in previous postings Bardsley sought at every opportunity to take the Gospel into Coventry's factories and offices, acquiring the affectionate sobriquet of The Works Padre. As bishop he built up a network of representatives from all walks of life that included: politicians, trade union leaders, faith groups and educationalists. Regular conferences to which community leaders were invited were arranged as Bardsley continued to seek a central place for The Church in peoples' lives. Although Bardsley operated best in a city environment his diocese also included many rural parishes which were reorganised and revitalised through regular meetings with their Bishop.[9] The city recognised his service to them and bestowed honours upon him that included president of
In 1972 Bardsley married Ellen Mitchell and in May 1976 he resigned the see at Coventry. In his retirement at Cirencester he remained committed to evangelical causes, particularly Lee Abbey, which he visited regularly in his remaining years. Bardsley was also an enthusiastic amateur oil painter, and several of his works have appeared at auction room sales in recent years.[10] Cuthbert Bardsley died on 8 January 1991.
The high altar cross by Geoffrey Clarke created in 1962 for the consecration of the new Coventry cathedral was dedicated as a memorial to Bardsley after his death. It is made from silver and plated with gold, and is an abstract work representing a phoenix rising from the ashes. Three medieval nails which were part of the old cathedral's roof are incorporated within the structure. This cross of nails was inspired by the example of the ministry for reconciliation and forgiveness led by Bishop[11][12]
Biography
- ISBN 0 00 215094-8
Bibliography
- 1952: Bishop's Move, Cuthbert Bardsley, Bishop of Croydon, published by A R Mowbray
- 1953: An address given by C.K.N. Bardsley, Bishop suffragan of Croydon, AGM of the Church of England Soldiers', Sailors'and Airmen's Institutes at Church House, Westminster SW1 on 8 July 1953.
- 1962: Sundry Times, Sundry Places, Bardsley, published by A R Mowbray
- 1967: Him We Declare, Cuthbert Bardsley and William Purcell published by Mowbray
- 1970: I Believe in Mission, Bardsley published by Mowbray
References
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/49570. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ISBN 0-7136-1140-5p. 693
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Cuthbert Bardsley : Bishop, Evangelist, Pastor, Donald Coggan, Collins, London 1989
- ^ Usborne, Richard (1964). A Century of Summer Fields. Methuen. p. 138.
- ^ Cuthbert Bardsley by Donald Coggan page 40
- ^ ISBN 0-19-200010-1
- ^ Bishop's Move, Cuthbert Bardsley, A. R. Mowbray & Co., 1952
- ^ The Times', Thursday, 9 February 1956; p. 8; Issue 53450; col C Appointed Bishop of Coventry
- ^ a b I Believe In Mission, Cuthbert Bardsley , Mowbray, 1970.
- ^ "The Rt Rev Cuthbert Bardsley, Bishop of Coventry (1907-1991) Ship Repairs signed, titled to verso". www.the-saleroom.com.
- ^ "Geoffrey Clarke: High Altar Cross". Art+Christianity.
- ^ "Geoffrey Clarke RA | Artist | Royal Academy of Arts". royalacademy.org.uk. 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
- Bardsley, Cuthbert Killick Norman (1907–1991), bishop of Coventry by Oxford Dictionary of National Biography(2004)