A guide to the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in the city of New York / Fifth Edition

by Edward Hagaman Hall

Administration and Clergy

The affairs of the Cathedral are in the hands of a Board of 25 Trustees which constitutes the Corporation, and is composed of the Bishop of New York, 12 other clergymen and 12 laymen. The Bishop is President of the Board.

The Clergy of the Cathedral are the Bishop, Dean, Canon Bursar, Canon Sacrist, Canon Precentor, and the Honorary Canons, not to exceed seven in number. The Bishop is elected by the Diocesan Convention and the election must be confirmed by a majority of the Bishops and Dioceses of the Episcopal Church. The Dean and Canons are nominated by the Bishop and elected by the Trustees. The Bishop, besides his diocesan duties, has general direction of the services of the Cathedral, which direction he expresses through the Dean. The use of the Cathedral for worship and for charitable and benevolent work is entrusted to the Dean and Chapter. The Chapter consists of the Dean, the Bursar, the Sacrist, and such other Canons as may be elected. The Dean is Chairman of the Cathedral Chapter and the executive head of the Cathedral, leading and co-ordinating the various branches of its work. The Canon Bursar is the agent of the Treasurer of the Corporation, receives the offerings and sees that they are applied to their proper objects, and is Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds. The Canon Sacrist has the care of the Cathedral as a place of worship and is Master of Ceremonies on all occasions. The Canon Precentor is responsible for the fitting performance of the musical parts of the Cathedral services. The offices of Canon Sacrist and Canon Precentor are vacant, their duties being performed by the Precentor. The Dean and Canons may have Vicars as assistants.

Following is the Cathedral Staff:

Bishop of New York

• The Right Rev. William Thomas Manning, D.D., LL.D., D.C.L.

Dean

• The Very Rev. Howard Chandler Robbins, D.D.

Canon Bursar

• The Rev. Robert Ellis Jones, D.D.

Precentor

• The Rev. Henry Purcell Veazie, M.A. (Oxon.)

Honorary Canons

• The Rev. George Francis Nelson, D.D.
• The Rev. George William Douglas, D.D.
• The Rev. George Frederick Clover, M.A.
• The Rev. Harold Adye Prichard, M.A.
• The Rev. Pascal Harrower, M.A.

Head Master of the Choir School

• William Lester Henry, A.B.

Organist and Master of the Choristers

• Miles Farrow, M.A., Mus. Doc.

Head Verger

• Thomas Meatyard.

The post-office address of any of the above mentioned is “The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, N. Y.”

The Bishop’s office is in the new Synod House at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and Cathedral Parkway. The offices of the Dean, Canon Bursar, etc., are in the old Synod House which stands on the site of the South Transept. ([See page 9]).