This week in Christian history: Denmark becomes Lutheran; archbishop of Canterbury dies

William Temple dies – Oct. 26, 1944

This week marks the anniversary of the death of William Temple, the head of the Church of England and a noted ecumenical leader, at the age of 63.

Temple was made archbishop of Canterbury in 1942, and is presently the only archbishop in the Church’s history to have a father who held the same position.

Temple was known for his social reform advocacy and for his extensive ecumenical efforts, which are credited with helping to create the World Council of Churches.

“Church and nation alike have lost a great leader and a prophet of authentic fire; the poor and inarticulate everywhere are deprived of a true and understanding friend,” declared the Church Times obituary for Temple.

“Temple was a national figure of a stature unsurpassed in contemporary life and not easily matched in history. The only man of the day with whom he was comparable was Winston Churchill.”