Wilfrid Parker


The Rt Rev Wilfrid Parker was a Colonial Anglican bishop in the first half of the 20th century. He was born on 23 January 1883 son of the Hon. Cecil Thomas Parker and Rosamond Esther Harriett Longley. His grandfather on his father's side was Thomas Parker, 6th Earl of Macclesfield and his grandfather on his mother's side was Charles Longley, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was educated at St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown, Radley and Christ Church, Oxford. Ordained in 1907, his first post was as an Assistant Priest at the Christ Church Mission, Poplar. From 1909 to 1913 he was Domestic Chaplain to the Archbishop of York. Later he was a chaplain to the Forces and when peace returned he became Vicar of St George's Johannesburg. From 1923 to 1931 he was Priest in Charge of the St Cyprian's Native Mission in the same city then Archdeacon and Director of Native Missions in the Diocese of Pretoria. He became Bishop of Pretoria in 1933 holding the post until his retirement in 1950. A Sub Prelate of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, he died on 23 June 1966.