The Rt. Rev. Clarence Nicholas Coleridge, the thirteenth Bishop Diocesan and the first black Bishop Diocesan of The Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) (1993-1999), died after a long illness on Thursday morning, August 10, at the age of 92. He was the first elected black Bishop Diocesan in ECCT’s history.

As the eldest of sixteen siblings born in Guyana, his leadership manifested as an inherent trait through his early exposure to the literal and figurative essence of brotherhood. He later emigrated to the United States to further his studies. He grappled between choosing the ministry of medicine or theology. After listening to a sermon given by Martin Luther King Jr., who often spoke of “the solid rock of brotherhood,” Coleridge’s heart was deeply warmed as the divine inner-calling presented itself, empowering him to choose the ministry of priesthood. This firm decision was the cornerstone of embodying divine brotherhood, the reverence one must have for God and each other as a diverse body of Christ.

Bishop Coleridge continued to follow his heart, which guided him to pursue his Master of Divinity degree at Drew University. Upon entering St. Philip’s Church in Harlem, he proclaimed to the rector, “I want to be a priest”. It was also where he later met his soulmate, Euna. In 1962, he moved to Brooklyn to serve as Assistant Rector at St. George’s Church where, later that year, he and Euna were married. His next heart’s call, in 1966, was to be Rector of Saint Mark’s, Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he served for fifteen years.

Bishop Coleridge was elected Bishop Suffragan of Connecticut in 1981. In 1993, he was elected and consecrated Bishop Diocesan, upon the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Arthur Walmsley. Shortly after Bishop Coleridge’s own retirement in 1999, he was appointed Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Pennsylvania, a part-time position he held for six years.

Bishop Coleridge’s mission was dedicated to the well-being of children. Two of his proudest achievements were the St. Mark’s Child Day Care Center in Bridgeport and The Bishop’s Fund for Children in Need. The Fund is now part of Camp Washington, the diocese’s camp and conference center in Lakeside, CT.

Bishop and Mrs. Coleridge moved to Seabury Life Care Community in Bloomfield, CT. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Euna. Their two daughters, Cheryl and Carolyn, were their faithful companions and caregivers.

The service for Bishop Coleridge will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church Street, Hartford, on Saturday, August 26, at 11:00 am, the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello presiding. Validated parking will be available in the MAT garage across the street from the Cathedral House and next to Hartford Stage. Clergy are invited to vest (white stoles) and process.  

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Bishop Coleridge to: Camp Washington Campership Fund, 190 Kenyon Road, Lakeside, CT 06758. Personal condolences may be sent to Cheryl and Carolyn Coleridge at 7 Barry Circle, Bloomfield, CT 06002.

By the mercy of God, may his soul and the souls of all the departed rest in Peace.