, 1896-09-19
(St. Christopher Gazette Sspt. lst)

Charles James Branch was norm ~ DildSs~
town, Barbados OH October 1884. His
father, a solicitor III large practlc" IN that
island, and much esteemed, took 4 leading
part in the questions that arose after the
emancipation Of he slaves about the status
Of the lately freed population, heltg always q
strong advocate OF their right to the fullest
liberty aud political equality. IN this lie was,
aided by his wife, u lady known III the Baihl
dian society Of the time ia a woman OF IN
commonly brilliant mental powers. She
acted for some time as The editor Of The W3Ss
IndiaA, and in its pages boldly advocated
her husbands political and social views.
With such parents it was natural that Bis
hop B unch should take, ns he did, Though
onl his life the most liberal views OF West
Indian questions,
Bishop Branch received hrs education on
tireIy ut Codringtou College, Barbados, IN
der th,t most able Principal, the late
Bishop Rawle, having won, after a keen
competitive examination, the first sclol-
arsiIp founded hy the Legislature Of the
Island at that College lie passed through
his course with first class honours in classics
and theology.
In 1867 he was ordained Deacon by the
Bishcp Of Barbados aud license CGrate Of
St. Simon's ia that island. 10 that oulacy
there was then attached a small High School,
AMI tile Bishop never lost his love for teach
ing.
A m NTH after lie WAS ordained Deac II he
married Mary Elizabeth Curl.
In 1893 he WAS ordaind Priest.
La 1864 he accepted the kectoly Of St
Andrews in the island Of Grenada, where he
remained for two years.
In 1866 he moved from the Diocese Of
Barbados to this Diocese, at the invitation Of
D;sJn, Io,Gsn, ,yi.. i,,4 l.a.,, a ere tlaor
trioud of his father AMI mother, and who
proved himself q lifelong friend of his own.
He WAS sent by Bishop Jackson to St Johns
Rrctory, St. Croix, whore he undoubtedly
III lde his mark: for at the time of his appoint
meut that parish, an entirely uuendoved one,
had not only lost all it's Church buildings by &
destructive fire III the town of ChrlsnnnSIed,
but WAS also rent III pieces by factions among
the congregation. Iio not only soon succeed
81 in re-. uniting the congregation by his tact,
but by his energy he succeeded IN re building
the Church, ole of the largest md inndsom-
est in the West Indies, rebuilding a very
large Schoolhouse, and purchasing and
putting III order ID new Rectory house, and
an Aims House for the poor of the parlsh.
In 1879 he moved to Antigua 10 be nude
by Bishop jackson Archdeacon Of Antigua,
and soon after on the resignation Of Revd.
Edwin Eliot, Rector of St. Johns IN that
island, he was instituted to the said Rectory.
On the retirement of Bishop Jackson 10 Eng
land he was made Vicar General Of the Do
cese, aud Bishops CommissaTy with full
administrative powers,
In 1882 he was chosen by Bishop Jackson,
with the full concurrence OF the Church
Councils Of the Diocese as Coadiutor Bishop
cam jure succsssionis, and on July 20, st
james Day, III the same year, he was con-
secrated in the Chapel of Lambeth Palace.
by Archbishop TAFT OF Canterbury, several
othor Bishops assisting.
That same year he received the degree Of
d. d., honOris c0usd, flom tho University Of
Durham.
During the period which elapsed between
the retirement of Archdeacon Gibbs aud the
appointment of AIchdeacon HoIme he acted
as Atchdeacon of St Kits. The pay of this
office, 9l00 per annum, during the time he
held it he devoted entirely to the Bishoprio
Endowment Fund which Bishop Jackson
was then strenuousIy striving to raise.
In 1854 lie opened the first Synod Of the
Clergy and Laity of this Diocese.
In 1895 he resigned the Rectory Of St.
Johns Antigua. very shortly afterwards be-
coming by the death of Bishop Jackson, the
fourth Bishop of Antigua.
At the OPENING of the Synod of the Diocese
in April, 1896, he was formally enthroned
in the Cathedral, in the presence Of the Pri-
mate of the West Indies.