BISHOP FREDERICK PERCY GODDARD
Frederick Percy Goddard, was born December 8, 1903 in Seymour,
Connecticut, d June 7, 1983 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas and buried in Calvary
Cemetery in Marlin - a son of Frederick and Louisa (Marshall) Goddard.
Graduating from Seymour, Connecticut high school in 1920, he studied at
Yale University, receiving a Ph.D. degree in 1924. Completing three years study
at Berkeley Divinity School, he was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity degree, and
in 1954, Berkley also awarded him a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree. In 1957,
the University of the South awarded him a Doctor of Divinity degree, and also
elected him a trustee. Following
study at the Toynbee Institute of International Affairs in London, England in
1927, he was ordained Deacon, and assumed charge of St. John's Mission in
Marlin, Texas. He was ordained in 1928,
and for twenty-seven years, served as Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in
Marlin, until chosen by the Diocese of Texas as its first Suffragan Bishop, in
1955. Residing in Tyler, Texas, Bishop Goddard for nineteen years visited for
administration and confirmation, the Episcopal churches in the 57 counties of
the Diocese - returning to Marlin upon his retirement in 1972.
In 1928, Frederick Percy Goddard was married to May Selena Bennett, of
Yonkers, New York; and they had two daughters:
Marie Goddard, who married John Bullard, of San Antonio, Texas, and has
children.
Gladys Goddard, who married Roger P. Rishel, who lived in Auburn, New
York, and had children.
May Selena (Bennett) Goddard died in 1965; and in 1968, in Marlin, Falls
County, Texas, Bishop Goddard was married second to a family friend, Mrs. Hazel
(Bennett) Falconer - widow of Dr. Bolivar Lang Falconer. They resided in Marlin
after his retirement in 1972, and she continues to live there.
Bishop Goddard was active in many affairs of the city and county during
his long tenure in Marlin. During the "Depression" years, he was chairman of the
Marlin United Charities and Falls County Red Cross. For many years, he served as
Scoutmaster, and was awarded the National Silver Beaver and a 30-year service
pin. It was under his leadership that the Boy Scouts of Marlin searched for and
collected the large, outstanding Indian Relics Collection now known as the F.
Percy Goddard Collection. Most of these relics were found in Falls County, in
the vicinity of the Brazos River; however, some were found in a variety of
locations within the county.
Among the other interests of Bishop Goddard, were the Marlin Public
Library, whose humble beginnings were initiated in 1929 by the Marlin Library
Study Club, and he obtained over 400 books from interested people to add to the
holdings. He subsequently served as president of the Library Board. He also
served as secretary and treasurer of the Marlin Country Club. In 1945, when the
lake dam broke, Goddard led the drive to raise funds to replace the dam.
Bishop Goddard was elected clerical deputy to five of the national
Episcopal Church's Triennial Conventions, and as a bishop, was a delegate to six
others. For seven years, he was editor of The Texas Churchman, the
official publication of the Diocese of Texas. He was secretary of the Diocese
for six years, and president of the Standing Committee of the Diocese for six
years.
Elected several times to the Executive Board of the Diocese, Goddard's
particular interest was the Department of Christian Education. He selected the
area for the present Camp Allen (1969-1971), and negotiated the purchase of the
four adjoining pieces of land now constituting the 750-acre camp. He served as
Dean of the Northwest Convocation; director of Kinsolving Lodge, Belton;
Examining Chaplain of candidates for ministry; chairman of the Department of
Missions; and chairman of Committee on Constitution and Canons.
During World War II, he served six years in the National Guard. He was
active in the drive to have the Marlin Veterans Administration Hospital
established in the area, and he served as president of the Marlin Junior Chamber
of Commerce, and the Marlin Chamber of Commerce.
Friends of Bishop Goddard endowed a Chair of Pastoral Theology at
Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, and the "Bishop F. Percy Goddard
Chair in Pastoral Theology" was instituted in September 1979.
Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of
these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical
Commission, page 194 column 2 and page 195 column 1 and 2.
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.
