Clarence Coleridge

Clarence Nicholas Coleridge (November 27, 1930 – August 10, 2023) was a Guyanese-born American Episcopalian clergyman who was the first black bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut, from 1993 to 1999. Prior to that he was the Suffragan Bishop of Connecticut from 1981 to 1993.

Biography
Originally from Guyana, Coleridge obtained a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut and a Doctor of Ministry from the Andover Newton Theological School. He was ordained to the diaconate on January 27, 1961, and to the priesthood on January 1, 1962. He was consecrated on October 23, 1981. He has three honorary degrees, including one from Yale Divinity School. Habitat for Humanity built five houses in his name, the Coleridge Commons in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He also started the Bishops Fund for Children, a fund to enhance awareness of the plight of children at risk throughout Connecticut and to raise funds to underwrite social service programs that aid these children in urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods. The fund has so far given out $3.2 million.

Bishop Coleridge was married for over 50 years to Euna J. Coleridge, a high school science teacher who was awarded the Olmstead Award for Teacher of the Year from Williams College. They had two children, Cheryl and Carolyn. Clarence Coleridge died on August 10, 2023, at the age of 92.