Doane, George Washington

(May 27, 1799-Apr. 27, 1859). High church bishop. He was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1818. In 1820 he entered the General Theological Seminary, New York, where he came under the influence of Bishop John Henry Hobart, the leader of the high church party in the Episcopal Church. Doane was ordained deacon on Apr. 19, 1821, and became Hobart's assistant at Trinity Church, New York. He was ordained priest on Aug. 6, 1823, and in 1825 he became professor of belles-lettres at Washington College, Hartford, Connecticut. Doane and William Croswell began editing and publishing the Episcopal Watchman on Mar. 26, 1827, to defend high church principles. In 1828 Doane became assistant minister at Trinity Church, Boston, and in 1830 he became the rector. While in Boston he and Croswell edited the Banner of the Cross, which used as its motto Bishop Hobart's watchword, “Evangelical Truth and Apostolic Order.” Doane was consecrated the second Bishop of New Jersey on Oct. 31, 1832. Shortly after his consecration he became the rector of St. Mary's Church, Burlington, and served there until his death. He opened St. Mary's Hall for girls on May 1, 1837, in Burlington, New Jersey, and in 1846 he founded Burlington College for boys. He wrote “Thou art the Way,” used as Hymn 457 in The Hymnal 1982. On Sept. 25, 1835, Doane preached the sermon at the consecration of Jackson Kemper as the first missionary bishop of the Episcopal Church. He emphasized that bishops are “sent out by Christ himself to preach the Gospel.” Doane died in Burlington.