Gadsden, Christopher Edwards

(Nov. 25, 1785-June 24, 1852). Bishop and early advocate of a general seminary to educate clergy. He was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Gadsden graduated from Yale College in 1804, and then returned to South Carolina to study theology. He was ordained deacon on July 25, 1807. He began his ministry at St. John's Church, Berkeley, South Carolina. In Feb. 1810 he became assistant minister at St. Philip's Church, Charleston, and was ordained priest on Apr. 14, 1810. Gadsden became rector of St. Philip's Church in 1814 and served there until his death. Gadsden was a clerical deputy to the 1814 General Convention. He presented a resolution asking the General Convention to appoint a joint committee “to take into consideration the institution of a theological seminary.” The resolution was defeated, but this initiative eventually resulted in the establishment of the General Theological Seminary. Gadsden was consecrated the fourth Bishop of South Carolina on June 21, 1840, and served until his death. He died in Charleston.