Glossary of Terms

Cram, Ralph Adams

(Dec. 16, 1863-Sept. 22, 1942). Church architect. He was born in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. After completing high school in 1880, he studied for five years in an architectural firm in Boston. Although he abandoned architecture for a time, he returned to that profession in 1890 and formed a partnership with Charles Francis Wentworth. Cram's […]

Cranmer, Thomas

(July 2, 1489-Mar. 21, 1556). First Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Anglican Reformation. He was born in Aslockton, Nottinghamshire, England. Cranmer received his B.A. from Jesus College, Cambridge University, in 1511. In 1520 he was ordained priest and selected as one of the university preachers. Around 1521 he began to be influenced […]

Crapsey, Algernon Sidney

(June 28, 1847-Dec. 31, 1927). Priest deposed for heresy. He was born in Fairmount, Ohio. He studied at St. Stephen's College (now Bard College) from 1867 to 1869 and received a B.D. from the General Theological Seminary in 1872. He was ordained deacon on June 30, 1872 and priest on Oct. 5, 1873. Crapsey served […]

Creationism

1) Understanding that God creates and directly infuses a new soul in every person at conception. The soul is understood to be created by God out of nothing. Creationism denies the pre-existence of the soul (Pre-existentialism), and it denies that the soul is transmitted by the parents or generated with the body (Traducianism). 2) Understanding […]

Cremation

The reducing by fire of a dead body to ashes. The ashes may be placed in an urn or other container and interred in a niche of a columbarium. The ashes may also be buried or scattered in a memorial garden on church grounds or in a cemetery. The ashes may be referred to as […]

Croes, John

(June 1, 1762-July 26, 1832). First Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. He was born in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. He pursued a brief career as a teacher and served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. After the war, he received theological instruction from Bishop William White of Philadelphia, who ordained him deacon […]

Cross

The instrument of Jesus' death and the central symbol of the Christian faith. It represents Jesus' offering and sacrifice of his life in love for us and our salvation. The cross thus symbolizes the Christian life, especially in terms of love, generosity, and sacrifice. The cross itself was a vertical stake in the ground which […]

Cross, Wilford Oakland

(July 26, 1903-Sept. 12, 1978). Priest and theologian. He was born in Nottinghamshire, England. His family moved to the United States when he was nine years old. Cross received his B.A. from the University of Illinois in 1926, a Certificate in Theology from the Berkeley Divinity School in 1929, and his M.A. from Columbia University […]

Crossroads: The Journal of the Rural Workers’ Fellowship

See Rural Workers' Fellowship.

Croswell, William

(Nov. 7, 1804-Nov. 9, 1851). Leading Anglo-catholic. He was born in Hudson, New York. Croswell graduated from Yale College in 1822, and for the next two years was an assistant teacher in a private school in New Haven. He then studied at the General Theological Seminary and graduated in 1826. Croswell also studied with Bishop […]

Crozier, or Crosier

The pastorial staff of a Bishop. It was originally a walking stick and later acquired the symbolism of a shepherd’s crook. It is a sign of pastoral authority. It may also be carried by abbots and abbeses. In liturgy the diocesan bishop carries the crozier in the left hand, woth the crook facing outward. Although […]

Crucifixion

Death by nailing or binding to a wooden cross. The practice began in the ancient east and was common among the Romans as punishment inflicted on slaves and certain non-Romans. It was abolished by Constantine. The crucifixion of Christ is recorded by all four evangelists. Crosses used for execution are either crux commissa (in the […]

Crummell, Alexander

(1819-Sept. 12, 1898). African American priest, missionary, and educator. He was born in New York City. Crummell completed a course of study at the Oneida Institute, Whitesboro, New York, in 1839. However, he was denied entrance to the General Theological Seminary because of his color. He then studied for the ordained ministry on his own […]

Cry Hosanna

This volume of 142 songs and hymns with music was edited by Betty Pulkingham and Mimi Farra and published by Hope Publishing in 1980. Its predecessors were Sound of Living Waters and Fresh Sounds. It contains hymns from various traditions and countries. It is a collection of traditional hymns and celebrative songs.

Cuba, Missionary District of

On Oct. 17, 1901, the House of Bishops established the Missionary District of Cuba. At first it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop. In 1904 the first Missionary Bishop was consecrated. On Oct. 27, 1966, the House of Bishops made the Missionary District of Cuba the autonomous Diocese of Cuba within the […]

Cuernavaca, Diocese of

This diocese was established in 1989. Jose Guadalupe Saucedo, Bishop of Central and South Mexico, became its first bishop. The General Convention of 1994 granted the five Mexican dioceses, including Cuernavaca, permission to withdraw from the Episcopal Church and constitute themselves an autonomous province. The Anglican Church of Mexico came into existence on Jan. 1, […]

Cully, Kendig Brubaker

(Nov. 30, 1913-Mar. 29, 1987). Leading Christian educator, editor, and seminary administrator. He was born in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and received his B.A. from American International College in 1934; and his B.D. in 1937, his M.R.E. in 1938, and his Ph.D. in 1939 from the Hartford Seminary Foundation. He was ordained deacon on May 20, 1955, […]

Cummings, Archibald

(d. Apr. 19, 1741). Commissary to Pennsylvania. He arrived in Philadelphia from England on Sept. 8, 1726. The next day he began his ministry as fifth rector of Christ Church and first Commissary to Pennsylvania. He served in those positions until his death.

Cummins, George David

(Dec. 11, 1822-June 26, 1876). First Presiding Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church. He was born near Smyrna, Delaware. Cummins received his B.A. from Dickinson College in 1841. From 1842 until 1845, he was a Methodist circuit rider in Maryland and West Virginia. He became interested in the Episcopal Church deacon and was ordained on […]

Cuthbert

(c. 625-Mar. 20, 687). Bishop and hermit. He was born on Farne Island, near Bamborough, Northumberland, England. In 651 Cuthbert went to the monastery at Old Melrose and became a monk, where he received the Celtic tonsure. He was prior of Melrose Abbey from 661 until 664 when he moved to Lindisfarne. Under the influence […]

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms