Mervyn Haigh

Mervyn George Haigh (14 September 1887 - 20 May 1962) was an Anglican clergyman who served as the third bishop of the restored see of Coventry^[1] in the modern era and the 97th Bishop of Winchester in a long line stretching back to the 9th century.

He was born on 14 September 1887, the son of an Anglican clergyman and was educated at Clifton College, Bristol^[2] and New College, Oxford.^[3]

After university he took Holy Orders and embarked on a clerical career that was to last for over 40 years. London curacies were interrupted by war service as an army chaplain in East Africa,^[4] but on his return he rose rapidly in the church hierarchy. From 1919 until 1924 he was Chaplain and Lecturer at the Ordination Test School, in Knutsford, and Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Llandaff but his big breakthrough came with his appointment to be the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Private Secretary- a post he was to hold under two separate incumbents until his elevation to the rank of Bishop in 1931.^[5] He was appointed Bishop of Coventry, and served the diocese well especially during the terrible bombing of the city during World War II . In 1942 he was translated to Bishop of Winchester,^[6] the enthronement taking place in the autumn of that year.^[7]

A deep thinker^[8] and loyal monarchist,^[9] Haigh chaired the Joint Committee which revised the Amended Lectionary.^[10] He resigned his post in 1952 and was honoured by Winchester College^[11] before retiring to North Wales where he became involved in several rural campaigns.^[12] He died on 20 May 1962, his papers bequeathed to the nation.^[13]

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Notes

1. ^ Bishop Haigh An Influential Churchman (Obituaries)The Times Monday, 21 May 1962; p. 12; Issue 55396; col D
2. ^ In later life he sat on the College’s Council-1948 to 1961 “Who was Who” 1897-1990 London, A & C Black, 1991 ISBN 071363457X
3. ^ Where he won the Ellerton Prize and gained a Cross Country Blue “Who was Who” (Ibid)
4. ^ Where he was mentioned in dispatches "Times" Obituary-Ibid
5. ^ Following a hugely successful role organising the 1930 Lambeth Conference The Times, Wednesday, 24 December 1930; p. 5; Issue 45704; col A The Church In 1930 Seventh Lambeth Conference, Episcopal Changes
6. ^ Winchester Bishopric
7. ^ Order of Ceremonial at the enthronement of the Right Reverend Mervyn Haigh, DD, Lord Bishop of Winchester, on Wednesday 30 September 1942- Classified at Lambeth Palace Library G119 44.42
8. ^ “Mervyn Haigh” Barry, F.R: London, SPCK,1964
9. ^ Sermon on the death of the king
10. ^ “An introduction to the Amended Lectionary for Sundays and Certain Holy Days” Haigh, M.G(Ed): London,SPCK,1948
11. ^ Ad Portas
12. ^ Snowdonia National Park Joint Advisory Committee; Caernarvonshire National Park Planning Committee; Merioneth National Park Planning Committee The Times Monday, 24 September 1962; p. 18; Issue 55504; col C
13. ^ National Archives

Church of England titles
Preceded by Charles Carre	Bishop of Coventry 1931–1942	Succeeded by Neville Gorton
Preceded by Cyril Garbett	Bishop of Winchester 1942–1952	Succeeded by Alwyn Williams

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Name	Haigh, Mervyn George
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Date of birth	14 September 1887
Place of birth
Date of death	20 May 1962
Place of death