Episcopal Press and News
Ashby Consecrated in Western Kansas
Episcopal News Service. May 28, 1981 [81168]
Salina, Kansas -- More than 900 well-wishers journeyed to St. John's Military School here May 21 for the consecration and installation of the Rt. Rev. John Forsythe Ashby as the second bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas.
Ashby, 52, was rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Ada, Okla., when he was elected Feb. 14 to succeed Bishop William Davidson who had resigned to become assistant bishop in Ohio. Ashby was consecrated by Presiding Bishop John M. Allin, Bishop Gerald McAllister of Oklahoma, Bishop William C. Wantland of Eau Claire, retired Bishop Joseph Harte of Arizona and Davidson.
Bishop Chilton Powell, who had been bishop of Oklahoma for much of Ashby's tenure there, was the preacher. One of Ashby's first episcopal acts was to take part the next day in the consecration of Bishop Richard F. Grein in the neighboring Diocese of Kansas. The two men were elected in separate conventions on the same day.
A native of Tulsa, Ashby has been rector of St. Luke's Church, Ada, since 1959. He has also served parishes in Hugo, Antlers, Durant and Coalgate, Okla. He has held a number of diocesan positions, including president and secretary of the standing committee, and chairman of the liturgical commission and the commission on ministry.
Ashby is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. In 1954 he married Mary Carver and they have two children.
Davidson headed the diocese from 1966 until 1980 when he took the Ohio post. The diocese has 30 parishes, 38 clergy and 3,654 members.