Article

Edward Feild

Published Online February 26, 2008

Last Edited December 16, 2013

Edward Feild, bishop (b at Worcester, Eng 7 June 1801; d at Hamilton, Bermuda 8 June 1876). Ordained in the Church of England in 1827, Feild displayed organizational ability and his arrangements became known as the "Feild System.

Feild, Edward

Edward Feild, bishop (b at Worcester, Eng 7 June 1801; d at Hamilton, Bermuda 8 June 1876). Ordained in the Church of England in 1827, Feild displayed organizational ability and his arrangements became known as the "Feild System." Offered the see of Newfoundland in 1844, he faced unusual difficulty and was embroiled in strife for the greater part of his episcopacy. By temperament an uncompromising rigorist and extremist, he battled local politicians, Roman Catholics, Methodists, and Evangelicals of his own church to build a strong, independent Anglican Church with a distinctly high-church tone. Newfoundlanders in time gave this man of iron will not only respect but also appreciation and affection. Feild served Newfoundland with devotion, personal humility and kindliness, visiting his people, scattered along a rugged shore of some 5000 km, in the church ship Hawk.