Bancroft's father was also a priest of the diocese, serving two churches including St. Agnes, East Orange, where Bancroft became a candidate himself for ordination. He graduated from General Theological Seminary and was ordained as a deacon at Trinity Cathedral in May 1959. In Dec. 17 that year, he was ordained as a priest by Bishop Stark at St. Peter's Church, Mountain Lakes, where he was serving as curate. Over the years his diocesan involvement has included a long association with the Convent of St. John Baptist, the House of the Good Shepherd in Hackettstown, and Eagles Nest Camp, and service to the Department of Missions, Profile Committee and Search Committees, and the Ecclesiastical Court. The Oasis ministry, for example, is extremely significant.
Clergy love to come here for the great challenges that each of our bishops has given.
Of course, in 1960, there were no female clergy, another change that Bancroft welcomes. And Bancroft, moving to his home in Wellfleet on Cape Cod with his stepson and his dog, will miss them too. In addition to becoming affiliated with a church, he plans to spend time going over his large collection of books, traveling, pursuing an interest in genealogy, and perhaps writing. I'll also play at golf, fish, and do volunteer work at the library. I don't plan to rot on the vine.