Wilmer, William Holland

(Oct. 29, 1782-July 24, 1827). Founder and one of the two original members of the faculty of the Virginia Theological Seminary. He was born in Kent County, Maryland, and educated at Washington College, Kent County. He was ordained deacon on Feb. 19, 1808, and began his ordained ministry at Chester Parish, Chestertown, Maryland. On June 16, 1810, he was ordained priest, and from 1812 to 1826 was rector of St. Paul's Church, Alexandria, Virginia. From 1813 to 1814 he was also rector of St. John's Church, Washington. He taught at Virginia Seminary from 1823 to 1826. In 1826 Wilmer became the president of the College of William and Mary and rector of Bruton Parish, Williamsburg. He was a leader in reviving the church in Virginia, and a deputy to the General Conventions of 1814, 1817, 1820, 1821, 1823, and 1826. He served as president of the House of Deputies for five successive General Conventions, 1817-1826. He helped to establish the Society for the Education of Pious Young Men for the Ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and was an editor and principal founder of the Washington Theological Repertory, 1819-1823. In 1815 he published The Episcopal Manual, which was one of the earliest statements of evangelical doctrines. Richard Hooker Wilmer was his son.