William James Armitage

William James Armitage (born Bryanston, Ontario, February 6, 1860 - 1929) was a prominent Anglican minister in Canada, holding the position of

Armitage studied divinity at Wycliffe College, Toronto, where he became a councilor and would return as a special lecturer throughout his career (and where his son Rev. Dr. W. R. Ramsay Armitage served as president).^[3] While in Toronto, Armitage became one of the founders and of Havergal Ladies' College, Toronto.

He then became curate of St. James' Church, Orilla, (1884-1885), when he was ordained deacon (1884) then priest (1885). He then became Rector of St. Thomas's Church, St. Catharines, Ontario for eleven years (1886-1897), where he was one of the founders of Ridley College, St. Catharine. During this time he also served as rural dean of Lincoln and Welland (1892-1895).^[2]

In 1897, Armitage moved to

He was elected president of the Nova Scotia Historical Society in 1911.

Publications

• William Armitage. The Fruit of the Spirit. London: Simpson and Co.1907.
• William Armitage. The Story of the Canadian Revision of the Prayer Book. 1922.
• "The Cities of Refuge"
• "The Church Year" 1908, copies of which were graciously accepted by Queen Mary,
• William Armitage. The soldiers of the King: their warfare, weapons and victory. 1909, a copy of which was accepted by King George the Fifth,
• a number of articles advocating a broader church union of Canada, in 1906.

Family

He is a son of the late William Bond Head Armitage and Jane (Adams) Armitage, and his birth occurred at Bryanston, Ontario, February 6, 1860. Archdeacon Armitage was married in June, 1886, to Elinor Maria Ramsay, elder daughter of the late Robert Ramsay, M. D., of Orilla, Ontario.^[2]

His wife was vice-president of the Local Council of Women of Halifax.

Legacy

• Armitage is commemorated by the Narthex-Nave Doorway, St Paul's Anglican Church, which is surrounded by flags of his military unit, the 66 Regiment

References