The Right Reverend Clarence Nicholas Coleridge

1930 - 2023

Bishop Clarence Nicholas Coleridge, 92, died quietly in his sleep on August 10, 2023. He was born in Guyana, South America on November 27, 1930, to the late Charles and Ina Coleridge. He is the oldest of sixteen children. He was married to Euna Jervis Coleridge from September 8, 1962, till her death in November 2017. Carolyn and Cheryl, their two daughters, survive them.

In the early 1950s, Bishop Coleridge moved to the United States to attend college. He spent one year at Lincoln University before transferring to Howard University for his sophomore year. In 1954, he earned a Bachelor of Science from Howard University. After a chance meeting with Martin Luther King Jr., Bishop Coleridge was inspired to become a minister. He then moved on to Drew Theological Seminary in New Jersey, where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1960. After that, he attended General Theological Seminary in New York City for a year.

From 1961 to 1966, he studied at the American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry. In January 1961, he was ordained Deacon in the Diocese of Newark, and in January 1962, he was consecrated Priest. Following his ordination, he served as Curate at Saint Phillips Church in New York City, and subsequently as Curate at Saint George's Church in Brooklyn, New York. In 1966, he was called as Rector of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Bridgeport, where he remained until August 31, 1981.

Bishop Coleridge was elected Bishop Suffragan of Connecticut in May 1981. He served as bishop suffragan from 1981-1983. He was elected Diocesan Bishop of Connecticut in June 1993. He was the first African-American Diocesan Bishop in Connecticut and the third African-American Episcopal Diocesan Bishop in the United States. He retired on October 16, 1999. After his retirement Bishop Coleridge served part-time as an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Pennsylvania from 2000-2006.

During his ministry Bishop Coleridge:

• Helped found and create the St Mark's Daycare Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

• Created the Bishop's Fund for at risk children.

• Honored by Habitat for Humanity by having five houses built in his name called The Coleridge Commons.

• With Bishop Walmsley helped create Seabury Retirement Community.

• Earned three honorary degrees.

A Requiem Eucharist will be held on Saturday, August 26 at 11 am at Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church Street, Hartford, CT. Expressions of sympathy may also be sent to the Coleridge Family, 7 Barry Circle, Bloomfield, CT 06002. For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com