Hong Kong’s Last English Bishop
The Life and Times of John Gilbert Hindley Baker
9789888528714
Distributed for Hong Kong University Press
Hong Kong’s Last English Bishop
The Life and Times of John Gilbert Hindley Baker
A vivid picture of the life and work of Hong Kong’s last English bishop.
In Hong Kong’s Last English Bishop, Philip L. Wickeri explores the life and times of John Gilbert Hindley Baker, who served as Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Hong Kong and Macau from 1966 to 1981. Before being elected bishop, Baker served as a missionary in wartime and revolutionary China, as a priest in America during the early years of the Cold War, and as a mission leader in the Church of England when churches in many parts of the world were becoming independent. He was a faithful correspondent and a prolific writer throughout his life, offering a personal commentary on the churches and the societies in which he lived. Wickeri has made extensive use of Baker’s writings and other archival materials to provide a vivid picture of his life and work. Bishop Baker was instrumental in working for reconciliation after the 1967 riots, expanding the work of the diocese, and engaging Hong Kong with the wider world. In 1971, he opened a new era in the Anglican Communion by legally ordaining the first women priests. This book is indispensable for understanding the development of the Hong Kong Anglican Church.
In Hong Kong’s Last English Bishop, Philip L. Wickeri explores the life and times of John Gilbert Hindley Baker, who served as Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Hong Kong and Macau from 1966 to 1981. Before being elected bishop, Baker served as a missionary in wartime and revolutionary China, as a priest in America during the early years of the Cold War, and as a mission leader in the Church of England when churches in many parts of the world were becoming independent. He was a faithful correspondent and a prolific writer throughout his life, offering a personal commentary on the churches and the societies in which he lived. Wickeri has made extensive use of Baker’s writings and other archival materials to provide a vivid picture of his life and work. Bishop Baker was instrumental in working for reconciliation after the 1967 riots, expanding the work of the diocese, and engaging Hong Kong with the wider world. In 1971, he opened a new era in the Anglican Communion by legally ordaining the first women priests. This book is indispensable for understanding the development of the Hong Kong Anglican Church.
212 pages | 31 halftones | 6 x 9
Sheng Kung Hui: Historical Studies of Anglican Christianity in China
Religion: Christianity, South and East Asian Religions
Table of Contents
Series Introduction vi
Foreword by Archbishop Paul Kwong viii
Acknowledgments xi
List of Illustrations xiii
Abbreviations xv
Introduction 1
1. Family and Early Life, 1910–1934 11
2. The China Years, 1934–1951 23
3. America, England, and the World, 1951–1966 49
4. Bishop of Hong Kong, 1966–1972 73
5. Bishop of Hong Kong, 1972–1976 103
6. Bishop of Hong Kong, 1976–1981 125
7. In Retirement, 1981–1986 151
Appendix I: HKSKH Ordinations by Bishop Baker 163
Appendix II: HKSKH Churches Established, Dedicated or Reconsecrated
by Bishop Baker (1966–1981) 165
Appendix III: HKSKH Schools Established by Bishop Baker 166
Appendix IV: HKSKH Social Service Centers Established by
Bishop Baker 168
A Bibliography of John Gilbert Hindley Baker, 1936–1996 171
General Bibliography 177
Index 185
Foreword by Archbishop Paul Kwong viii
Acknowledgments xi
List of Illustrations xiii
Abbreviations xv
Introduction 1
1. Family and Early Life, 1910–1934 11
2. The China Years, 1934–1951 23
3. America, England, and the World, 1951–1966 49
4. Bishop of Hong Kong, 1966–1972 73
5. Bishop of Hong Kong, 1972–1976 103
6. Bishop of Hong Kong, 1976–1981 125
7. In Retirement, 1981–1986 151
Appendix I: HKSKH Ordinations by Bishop Baker 163
Appendix II: HKSKH Churches Established, Dedicated or Reconsecrated
by Bishop Baker (1966–1981) 165
Appendix III: HKSKH Schools Established by Bishop Baker 166
Appendix IV: HKSKH Social Service Centers Established by
Bishop Baker 168
A Bibliography of John Gilbert Hindley Baker, 1936–1996 171
General Bibliography 177
Index 185