Photograph captions (top of page):

An Historic Gathering Of Episcopal Bishops In Charleston

Retiring Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gray Temple (left), converses with his newly installed successor, the Rt. Rev. C. FitzSimons Allison, 12th diocesan bishop of South Carolina, and Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States, the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin. At right, the colorful procession of candlebearers, bishops, acolytes, crossbearers and laity prepare to enter the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul for the investiture ceremony.

Staff photos by Bill Jordan

Allison Invested As Bishop Of S.C.

By JANE E. ALLEN Post-Courier Reporter

With all the pomp, circumstance and ceremony befitting a centuries-old religious tradition, the Rt. Reverend Christopher FitzSimons Allison was invested and seated Saturday as 12th diocesan bishop of South Carolina at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul.

The cathedral, still bedecked in its Christmas fittings, welcomed the new bishop with reminders of the Christmas spirit; red and green wreaths adorned the windows of the nave and white candles burned upon each windowsill. The investiture marked the first time a bishop had been installed in Charleston since January 1961, when Bishop Gray Temple was both consecrated and installed.

Presiding Bishop John M. Allin of the Episcopal Church in the United States presided over the midday ceremonies that formally commenced with the ritual recognition of the new bishop. A musical prologue for flute and organ had begun at 10:30.

Among other bishops attending this ceremony were the Rt. Rev. William A. Beckham, bishop of the neighboring Diocese of Upper South Carolina, and his predecessor, the Rt. Rev. George M. Alexander.

Bishop Allison, who had been elected a bishop in May 1980, and consecrated in September of that year in Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, as bishop coadjutor, stepped into the shoes of retiring bishop the Rt. Rev. Gray Temple at Saturday’s service.

Bishop Allison began his theological career with an undergraduate degree from the University of the South, a master’s degree in divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and a doctorate in philosophy from Oxford University in England.

The Rt. Rev. Allison was ordained a priest in May 1953, and began his religious work in Columbia, where he was assistant rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. He also served as chaplain at the University of South Carolina, and was an associate professor of church history at the University of the South from 1956 until 1967. From 1967 until 1975, he was a professor of church history at Virginia Theological Seminary. Allison served as assistant rector of Grace Church in New York from 1975 until he returned to South Carolina.

Bishop Allison in his red and white robes and black stole approached the west entrance to the cathedral just before 11 a.m. and then knocked three times with a gavel upon the heavy wooden doors.

“Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord,” he said.

The Rev. Canon Samuel C.W. Fleming, president of the standing committee, serving as warden, replied, “The Lord prosper you; we wish you well in the name of the Lord.”

Then Bishop Allison followed the welcoming procession, heralded by the sounding of trumpets. He walked through the central nave aisle toward the chancel, where he was awaited by the chancel party.

After the “Old 100th Psalm Tune” was rendered by the congregation and choir, the new bishop petitioned the chancel party.

“I, Christopher FitzSimons Allison, whom God has ordained to be a shepherd and servant, and who now have been chosen as bishop of this diocese, come to you, desiring to be recognized, and invested, and seated in the chair which is the symbol of that office.”

Placed along the nave crossing were colorfully emblazoned cloth banners marking Sept. 25, 1980, the day of the Bishop’s consecration, and another marking the 1961 consecration of Bishop Temple.

Trumpets, trombones and a tympani accompanied the choir through the musical portions of the ceremony.

The litany was read to the kneeling congregants and clergy by the Rev. James M. Donald. Bishop Allison took a place in the first pew, facing Bishop Allin.

After the Old Testament lesson was read by Mr. Benjamin Williamson, and Psalm 23 was chanted, the Epistle was delivered by Mrs. Norman S. Walsh. Next, the Rev. Canon Henry L. Grant read from the Gospel from the center of the aisle, while he faced the gleaming metal cross. With his back to the chancel, he looked up to the cross, flanked on either side by tapers.

Following delivery of the Gospel, the fourth verse of a 17th century German hymn was sung. Its words spoke of God’s church as a “lamp of purest gold” bearing before the nations the Savior’s true light.

Bishop Temple delivered his sermon after ascending the pulpit. He made allusions to “one of his favorite saga stories of the Old Testament,” the story of Joseph, “a Horatio Alger story in reverse.” Temple referred to Joseph’s conversion experience, his maturity and his recognition of God as a God of history.

Bishop Temple also recalled the issues facing the Episcopal Church when he was invested as diocesan bishop of South Carolina. At that time, 21 years ago, there existed a great deal of tension in the South Carolina diocese, he said. Race relations and recognition of blacks loomed large before the National Council of Churches, he said. Temple said he tried to take a moderate stance, recognizing the need for gradual acceptance of change among South Carolina’s Episcopalians.

See Allison, Page 2-A