Gray, Walter Henry

(Aug. 20, 1898-Dec. 4, 1973). Ecumenical leader and eighth Bishop of Connecticut. Gray was born in Richmond, Virginia. He studied at the College of William and Mary and the Law School of the University of Richmond before receiving his B.D. from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1928. Gray was ordained deacon on June 8, 1928, and priest on Feb. 17, 1929. He was assistant rector of St. John's Church, West Hartford, Connecticut, 1928-1932, and dean of the Pro-Cathedral of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1932-1936. Gray was dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, 1937-1940. He was consecrated Suffragan Bishop of Connecticut on Nov. 12, 1940. He was elected Bishop Coadjutor on Oct. 2, 1945, and became Bishop of Connecticut on Jan. 15, 1951. Gray served in this position until he retired on Apr. 30, 1969. While Bishop of Connecticut he was devoted to the development of church homes and a leader in religious education. He did pioneer work for the Interracial Commission and for Interfaith Housing. He was one of the leaders at the Lambeth Conferences of 1948, 1958, and 1968. He wrote the famous “Gray Report” on overseas missions. Gray helped to organize the Pan-Anglican Congress at Minneapolis in 1954, and was the editor of Pan-Anglican. He died in Hartford.