VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY
153
nal and paternal lines Bishop Gibson traces
to the early colonial and revolutionary dig-
nitaries and families of Virginia, including
Richard l^ennett. the Puritan governor of
Virginia (1632). Theodorick I'land. Robert
Boiling. Peter Poythress, William Ran-
dolph and Richard Bland, "The Antiquar-
ian," member of the First Continental Con-
gress and of the X^irginia Committee of
Safety.
Rev. Churchill j. Gibson, a man of benevo- lence, humor, cultured refined taste and re- markable piety, was the founder of Grace Crotestant Episcopal Church of Petersburg, was its rector fifty years, and is still remem- bered there with reverence and love. In 1883 he was clerical deputy to the general convention of the church, at a previous date having been almost the unanimous choice of the Episcopal laity of Virginia for assist- ant bishop. His wife, Lucy Fitzhugh (At- kinson) Gibson, an accomplished, noble woman, "devoutly given to all good works,"' taught a liiljle class in Grace Church Sun- day school for fifty years, and the harvest from her teaching Eternity alone will reveal. It was the earnest desire of these godly parents that their son, Robert A., should tread in the footsteps of his father and be- come a minister, but they did not urge him nor seek to unduly influence him in the choice of a career. But their wishes were easily fulfilled, as the lad became early con- nected wath the church, and but followed the natural bent of his mind. Both lived to see their son an honored clergyman of the church they loved, although the father, born in 1819, (lied in 1S95. two years prior to his son's greatest achievement, his ccjnsecration as Bishop of X'irginia.
Rt. Rev. Robert Atkinson Gibson began his preparatory education in the Episcopal High School at Alexandria, Virginia, going thence to Minnit Laurel Academy in \"ir- ginia. and then entering Hampden-Sidney College near I'arnuille. llere his college life was interru])te(l by the war l)etween the states. lie enlistecl in 1864 in the ser- vice of his state with the Rockbridge artil- lery. I'\)rt X'irginia artillery, fighting with the Army of Northern \^irginia until the final surrender at .\])pomattox in 1865, ^^d well proving the military side of his nature. Peace restored, he again entered Hampden- Sidney. whence he was graduated A. B. in 1867. During these years of study he had
made the close acquaintance of the best
English writers ; and the works of Alacaulay
and Carlyle gave him especial pleasure. His
natural inclination also turned him toward
sacred literature and mental philosophy,
Butler's Analogy being a special book of
study. After graduation he began his stud-
ies in divinity at the I'heological .Seminary
of \^irginia, whence he was graduated in the
class of 1870. lie was ordained deacon on
July 24 of the same year by Bishop Whittle
in the chapel of the Theological Seminary,
and sent forth as a missionary to south-
eastern X'irginia, where he spent eighteen
months in efforts to revive the work of the
church in old parishes, and in opening new
fields, covering five counties on the south
side of the James river. On July 4. 1871. he
was ordained priest by Bishop Johns at
Petersburg, and from 1872 to 1878 was as-
sistant minister to Rev. Dr. Joshua Peterkin.
rector of St. James Episcopal Church. Rich-
mond, and was in charge of the Moore Me-
morial Chapel, l^rom 1878 to 1887 he w^as
rector of Trinity Church. Parkersburg. West
Mrginia. and from 1887 to 1897 was rector
of Christ Church. Cincinnati. Ohio.
In 1897 his native state reclaimed and restored him to his own people by electing him Bishop Coadjutor of Virginia, to which holy ofiice he was consecrated, November 3, 1897. In 1902, by the death of Rt. Rev. F. M. AX'hittle, he succeeded him as Bishop of Virginia, and in that high priestly office continues at this date, 191 5.
Filled with intense zeal to serve his church and people, Bishop Gibson has been of great usefulness in his efforts to aid in u])building and strengthening educational institutions. His alma mater, Mampden- Sidney, and Kenyon College, Ohio, have pvirticularly benefitted by his services as trustee, the latter college showing its appre- ciation of the bishop's high attainments by conferring upon him the degree of D. D. in T897. In the same year the University of the South conferred the same degree in acknowledgment of his great ])ul)lic sj)irit usefulness and learning.
Cnder his inspiring leadership the diocese of Virginia has taken long steps forward, and its spirituality and temporal growth has brought joy and pride to the leader. 1 he good bishop ins])ires love and confidence in the hearts of his people by his wise counsel, purity of life and deep piety. His
