John Warren Branscomb

John Warren Branscomb (1905-1959) was an American Bishop of the Methodist Church, elected in 1952.

He was born 11 May 1905 in Union Springs, Alabama. He was a clergy member of the Florida Annual Conference. He was elected to the Episcopacy by the Southeastern Jurisdicitional Conference of the Methodist Church. He was assigned to the Jacksonville episcopal area, which included Cuba and the Florida Conference.

Branscomb, the Man

Bishop Branscomb was a short, wiry man, but a person of tremendous energy. He had great passion for missions and gave strong leadership to making the Florida Conference one of the most missionary-minded conferences of the Church. Unfortunately, he lived to give only seven years of episcopal service.

The responsibility for Cuba brought Bishop Branscomb great joy. During the few years he was privileged to serve he took glad leadership in promoting the extension of the work and in building new churches from one end of the island to the other. Likewise, he took strong leadership in major church-extension throughout Florida, expanding Methodism in that fast-growing state.

Branscomb auditorium, designed by acclaimed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, was named after Bishop Branscomb and stands on the campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida.

Preaching and Evangelism

Bishop Branscomb was a most effective and popular preacher, in large demand for platform appearances throughout the land. Essentially an evangelist, he took great interest in people. This interest manifested in his mostly pastoral approach, both in his churches and in the episcopacy. When the day came for them to call him "Bishop," in their hearts he remained "John," as he had as a Pastor and Conference Member.

He had close relationships with Bishops Paul Hardin and Edward Pendergrass. Form their days together at Emory University, they were fast friends. While in seminary, the three of them, together with Dr. Mack Anthony, composed a quartet which became well known for its singing of the Gospel.

Death and Burial

Bishop Branscomb never seemed to know how to spare himself or when to stop. His tireless activity soon took its toll, however, and he died of a heart attack 16 January 1959 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was buried in his hometown of Union Springs, Alabama.

References

*Short, Roy Hunter, Bp., History of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church 1939-1979, Nashville, Abingdon, 1980.

ee also

* List of Bishops of the United Methodist Church