Frederick Bingham Howden (December 10, 1869 – November 12, 1940) was a missionary bishop of New Mexico and Southwest Texas in

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Early life and education

Howden was born on December 10, 1869, in West New Brighton, New York City, to William Douglas Howden and Esther Jane Orrell. He studied at

Trinity College, Toronto Trinity College (occasionally referred to as The University of Trinity College) is a college federated with the University of Toronto, founded in 1851 by Bishop John Strachan. Strachan originally intended Trinity as a university of strong Angli ...

, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1891, a Master of Arts in 1893, and a

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in 1914. He also studied for the priesthood at the General Theological Seminary graduating with a Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1894. He was awarded a Doctor of Sacred Theology by the General Seminary in 1927.

Ordained ministry

Howden was ordained deacon on May 20, 1894, and was ordained a priest on December 23, 1894, at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Harlem by Bishop

Henry C. Potter Henry Codman Potter (May 25, 1834 – July 21, 1908) was a bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States. He was the seventh bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Potter was "more praised and appreciated, perhaps, than any public man ...

of New York. He served as assistant at St John's Church in Detroit, Michigan, between 1894 and 1895, and then at Calvary Church in New York City from 1895 to 1897. He then became rector of Emmanuel Church in Cumberland, Maryland, and served until 1902. He was simultaneously Archdeacon of Cumberland between 1900 and 1902. In 1902 he was elected rector of St John's Church in Washington, D.C., and rector of the

National Cathedral School National Cathedral School (NCS) is an independent Episcopal private day school for girls in grades 4–12 located on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., United States. Founded by philanthropist and suffragist Phoe ...

Episcopacy

Howden was elected as the Missionary Bishop of New Mexico and Southwest Texas in 1913 and was consecrated bishop on January 14, 1914, at St John's Church by Presiding Bishop Daniel S. Tuttle. He died in office in 1940.

Family and legacy

Howden married Angelica Constance Faber on February 20, 1895, and had seven children. His son Reverend Frederick B. "Ted" Howden served with the 200th Coast Artillery during World War II as the unit

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, and was part of the Bataan Death March. Ted died on December 11, 1942, while in captivity. Frederick's existing descendants typically refer to him by his nickname, Ted. There is an ongoing movement within the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, to honor him for his selfless treatment of his peers while in captivity. Several survivor accounts credit him for having given his rations to those who he believed were in greater need of sustenance. The movement was initially spearheaded by his great niece (<--Check relation) Melissa Howden, and has gained great support throughout New Mexico (US) and other reaches of the Episcopal Church. Melissa Howden produced, directed, and narrated ''Be Home Soon: Letters From My Grandfather,'' a documentary about the stories of Ted Howden, his legacy, and those who he left behind.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Howden, Frederick Bingham 1869 births 1940 deaths Episcopal bishops of the Rio Grande University of Toronto alumni General Theological Seminary alumni