Robert Codman (December 30, 1859 – October 7, 1915) was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, serving from 1900 to 1915.
Early years Codman was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1859 to Robert Codman Sr., a prominent Boston lawyer. Codman's father Robert had Congregationalist ancestry, with his own father, John Codman, serving as a Congregationalist minister. Robert Codman Sr. converted to Anglicanism. By the time of his death he had become a senior warden in the Church of the Advent in Boston, which was also the parish church in which his son Robert Jr, the future bishop, grew up. Codman was educated in public schools and later graduated in Law from Harvard University in 1882.
Ordained ministry
He was graduated from Harvard and practiced law. After the death of his brother, the Reverend Archibald Codman, Robert Codman sought ordination.University of Maine website, Library section Combating the ‘Social Evil’: Masculinity and Moral Reform in Portland, 1912-1914, by Howard M. Solomon, published in Maine History (Volume 43, Number 3, January 2008 He studied in the General Theological SeminaryInternet Archive, Catalogue of the officers and students of the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, located in the city of New-York in New York City after which he was ordained deacon in 1893. He was appointed curate of All Saints Church in Ashmont, Boston. In 1894 he was ordained priest by Bishop Charles Chapman Grafton. He became rector of St John's Church in Boston Highlands.
He was an advocate of Muscular Christianity.
Episcopacy Codman was elected to succeed Henry A. Neely as Bishop of Maine.The Parish of St Mary and St Jude website, Not a Common House, by Gunnar Hansen (1981), page 37 He was consecrated bishop on February 24, 1900, in St Luke's Cathedral in Portland. As bishop he altered and expanded the cathedral by adding the Emmanuel Chapel,Episcopal Maine website, History which includes the Madonna and Child of John La Farge. He also expanded the bishop's residence.
He worked to increase the Episcopal presence throughout his dioceseGood Shepherd Rangeley website, Shearings, Issue 1 (2019), page 3Christ Church Eastport website, History of Christ Church and consecrated several new church buildings.St George’s Episcopal Church website, HistoryThe Maine Mag website, All Saints by the Sea, article by Dr. Lisa Belisle dated July 2017
In 1911 he presided at the opening of the Edward T. Gignoux U.S. Courthouse in Portland.US District Court (District of Maine) website, Court History
Codman served as bishop till his death in 1915.(1917). The Living Church Annual, p. 65-66. The Young Churchmen Co., Milwaukee, Wis.
During his later years, he was heavily involved in the Anti-Tuberculosis SocietyBangor Daily News website, Bangor Fought Spread of TB, article by Wayne E. Reilly, published January 30, 2011 and the Citizens' Committee; he saw both as working against the disadvantages of urban life.
Family Codman married Margarette B. Porter in September 1915; he died three weeks later from a brain tumour.
References
The Living Church Annual, 1916, pp. 65–66.
External links St Peter’s Episcopal Church website History of St Peter’s