Jackson Earle Gilliam


Jackson Earle Gilliam was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Montana, serving from 1968 to 1985.

Early years and Education

Gilliam was born on June 20, 1920 in Heppner, Oregon. He attended Whitman College where he graduated with honors in 1942. After serving in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946, he attended the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1948. He then did further study and received a Master of Sacred Theology degree the following year.

Ordination and Ministry

He was ordained to deacon on Jun 10, 1948 by William Remington, Suffragan Bishop of Pennsylvania in St Mary's Church in Arlington, Virginia. After his ordination to the priesthood, he served parishes in Oregon and Minnesota before becoming rector of the Church of the Incarnation in Great Falls, Montana, a position he has held from 1955 till 1968.

Bishop

In 1969, Gilliam was elected Bishop of Montana. He was consecrated on September 16, 1968 in St Peter's Pro-Cathedral in Helena, Montana by John E. Hines, Presiding Bishop of the US Episcopal Church. The co-consecrators were Chandler Sterling, former Bishop of Montana and George M. Murray, Coadjutor Bishop of Alabama.

Personal life

He was married to Margaret Kathleen Hindley and they had three children.