Episcopal Press and News

Bishop of Springfield Submits Resignation

Episcopal News Service. April 9, 1981 [81117]

Springfield, Ill. -- The Rt. Rev. Albert W. Hillestad, 56, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield, has submitted his resignation to Presiding Bishop John M. Allin for reasons of health. It will be effective upon approval by the Church's House of Bishops.

Following his election in the fall of 1971, he was consecrated bishop coadjutor on Feb. 19, 1972, and was enthroned as bishop of the diocese the following Sept. 24. During his episcopate he presided over a major reorganization of the diocesan structure and the founding of several new congregations. He was elected president of Province V of the Episcopal Church in 1974, and has served in that capacity until the present.

The bishop was married to the former Carol Joyce Hutchens who died in 1978. He has seven children. He was born on July 24, 1924, in New Richmond, Wis. He earned a B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1947, and a B. D. from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in 1950. He was ordained a deacon and a priest in 1950.

Following his ordination he served as an assistant at Christ Church, La Crosse, Wis., from 1950 to 1951, and as rector of the Church of the Ascension, Chicago, from 1951 to 1957. During that time he was chaplain to "Divorcees Anonymous" in Chicago. He then became vicar of St. Mark's Church, Oconto, Wis., and St. Paul's Church, Beaver, Wis., until he was called to be rector of St. Andrew's, Carbondale, Ill., and Archdeacon of Cairo, Ill., in 1964. He was chaplain to the Illinois State Penitentiaries at Menard and Vienna during his tenure in Carbondale.

The standing committee -- four priests and four laypersons elected as advisors to the bishop -- will take over the management of the affairs of the diocese until the consecration of a new bishop.