Today in Wheeling History: July 4 — Robert P. Atkinson, former priest at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and later Episcopal Bishop of West Virginia, dies in Jacksonville, Florida (2012).
Robert Poland Atkinson (1927–2012) was a prominent Episcopal bishop whose early ministry was rooted in Wheeling, West Virginia. Born in Washington, D.C., Atkinson moved to Martinsburg, WV, at age three. He graduated from Martinsburg High School and earned his B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1950, followed by a Bachelor of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1953. His connection to Wheeling began with his ordination as a deacon in 1953 and as a priest on February 24, 1954, both by Bishop Robert E.L. Strider Sr. Atkinson served as curate at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Wheeling from 1953 to 1955, a formative period that shaped his pastoral approach.
He later served in Fairmont and Huntington, WV, and Memphis, TN, before being elected coadjutor bishop of West Virginia in 1973. His consecration took place on May 6, 1973, and he became diocesan bishop in 1976. Atkinson was a vocal advocate for women’s ordination and social justice, notably opposing apartheid and supporting Bishop Desmond Tutu. After retiring in 1988, he served as assistant bishop in Virginia. He died on July 4, 2012, in Jacksonville, Florida, and is buried at Emmanuel Church in Greenwood, Virginia.
To learn more: Robert P. Atkinson – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/dtzkhps3), Service set for Bishop Atkinson – Episcopal News Service (https://tinyurl.com/3vfhzpbj), Find a Grave – Robert P. Atkinson (https://tinyurl.com/3a74f2vm)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave
Robert Poland Atkinson (1927–2012) was a prominent Episcopal bishop whose early ministry was rooted in Wheeling, West Virginia. Born in Washington, D.C., Atkinson moved to Martinsburg, WV, at age three. He graduated from Martinsburg High School and earned his B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1950, followed by a Bachelor of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1953. His connection to Wheeling began with his ordination as a deacon in 1953 and as a priest on February 24, 1954, both by Bishop Robert E.L. Strider Sr. Atkinson served as curate at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Wheeling from 1953 to 1955, a formative period that shaped his pastoral approach.
He later served in Fairmont and Huntington, WV, and Memphis, TN, before being elected coadjutor bishop of West Virginia in 1973. His consecration took place on May 6, 1973, and he became diocesan bishop in 1976. Atkinson was a vocal advocate for women’s ordination and social justice, notably opposing apartheid and supporting Bishop Desmond Tutu. After retiring in 1988, he served as assistant bishop in Virginia. He died on July 4, 2012, in Jacksonville, Florida, and is buried at Emmanuel Church in Greenwood, Virginia.
To learn more: Robert P. Atkinson – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/dtzkhps3), Service set for Bishop Atkinson – Episcopal News Service (https://tinyurl.com/3vfhzpbj), Find a Grave – Robert P. Atkinson (https://tinyurl.com/3a74f2vm)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave
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