24 Facts About Philander Chase

Philander Chase was an Episcopal Church bishop, educator, and pioneer of the United States western frontier, especially in Ohio and Illinois.

Philander Chase's ancestors had been Puritans who fled to New England.

Philander Chase studied with Rev Thomas Ellison, rector of St Peter's Church in Albany, New York, while supporting himself teaching at the newly organized city school.

The younger Philander Chase then entered Cincinnati College and went on to become a statesman and jurist, including Chief Justice of the United States.

Philander Chase became one of only three Episcopal clergymen above the highlands.

Wetmore found himself unsuited to the rigorous travels, and settled at Schenectady, while Philander Chase continued evangelizing on horseback, as well as baptizing, preaching and otherwise meeting the needs of widely scattered Episcopalians and other Protestants in the more rural areas from Troy to Lake George to Auburn and Bloomfield.

In 1799, the Rev Philander Chase accepted a position to serve congregations in Poughkeepsie, New York and relatively nearby Fishkill, NY.

Philander Chase then taught school in Poughkeepsie and served more than five years at Christ Church, which the Rt.

In 1805 the Rev Philander Chase accepted a challenge to establish the first Episcopal congregation in Louisiana, becoming the founding rector of what ultimately became Christ Church Cathedral, New Orleans.

Philander Chase continued to feel a call to evangelize and remained deeply interested in the religious condition and prospects of the westward pioneers.

Philander Chase disagreed on educational and other matters with Bishop Provoost's successor, the Rt.

Philander Chase continued to evangelize on the frontier, building on the missionary work of the Rev Dr Joseph Doddridge in the Ohio Valley and the Rev Roger Searle in the Western Reserve.

Philander Chase bought a farm in the relatively new town of Worthington founded in 1803, agreed to serve five parishes nearby, and became principal of Worthington Academy.

Philander Chase then called his family to join him in Cleveland.

The Rev Philander Chase chaired the first Episcopal convention in Ohio, which began on January 5,1818.

Philander Chase traveled east for ordination that winter, but was forced to defend his character before the Standing Committee would give its assent.

Philander Chase was the 18th bishop consecrated in The Episcopal Church.

Philander Chase continued to build up the church in that state, lobbying for a seminary there, contrary to Bishop Hobart's belief that the General Theological Seminary in New York sufficed, and requested missionaries from coastal states.

In October 1823, Philander Chase even sailed to England armed only with a letter of introduction from Henry Clay to raise funds for his frontier diocese, especially his planned school and seminary.

Philander Chase hoped to establish a self-sufficient community free of urban vices such as drinking and dancing, which would help students to focus on their studies.

Philander Chase was succeeded as Bishop and college president by Charles McIlvaine.

Philander Chase then moved his family about twenty miles away, to a farm he had purchased near Millersburg, which he called the "Valley of Peace".

However, Philander Chase still dreamed of establishing a self-sufficient rural college, and traveled to England first to raise funds for what became Jubilee College in Brimfield, Illinois.

Philander Chase spent the final years of his life founding Jubilee College and the surrounding frontier community near present-day Peoria, Illinois.