(c) 2017 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

Frederick Cecil Powell SSJE

English, 1865 - 1938

BiographySociety of St. John the Evangelist
corresponded with ISG 1903-1925
See Richard Lingner's essay "Isabella Stewart Gardner's Spiritual Life" in Art of the Cross (2001). After ISG's first stroke, Powell visited every other week for 5 years to giver her Holy Communion.

I.S. 1/3/2018

This record was previously incorrectly catalogued as Francis C. Powell instead of Frederick C. Powell. I updated it and completed the record with life dates, birth, death places, etc... The display name is based on how James Koester, currently at SSJE, asked to be cited in his blog post. E. Reluga 4/20/2023

Obituary January 14, 1938 says he was 73 years old. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1938/01/14/96777251.html, accessed 4/20/2023 E. Reluga

Frederick Cecil Powell, S.S.J.E.
1914-1924

FREDERICK CECIL POWELL was born in the little fishing village of Fleet in Lincolnshire, England, where his father was serving as curate. His father being unable to finance him through university young Frederick Cecil studied civil engineering in Boston, Lincolnshire, for a brief interval but since that work did not agree with his health he set sail for Canada where he passed three years engaged, in various types of manual labor. His vocation to the priesthood finally crystalized and after preparation for holy orders at Trinity College, Toronto, the young Englishman was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop J. T. Lewis of Ontario in 1890. Father Powell then served for four years as curate under Canon Burke at Saint Thomas’ Church, Belleville, Ontario.
Writing to Father Page from Boston on September 30th, 1892, Father Benson said:

“I have to leave on Saturday night for Belleville, Ontario, in order to conduct a Retreat for Clergy, and a Quiet Day for the Parish next week.”

So it was that the path of Richard Meux Benson crossed that of Frederick Cecil Powell. It was the first time in his life that Father Powell had ever seen a Cowley Father and he was profoundly impressed. He made his first confession to Father Benson and discussed vocation to the Religious Life. The result of this was that in 1894 Father Powell returned to England to test his vocation at Cowley and was finally Professed in the Society of Saint John the Evangelist in January, 1898. Following a brief period of missionary work in South Africa he was sent to Boston in 1900, while Father Osborne was Provincial Superior, and served at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist until his death in 1938.

When Father Powell became Rector of Saint John’s on October 12th, 1914, people’s thoughts were full of the terrible conflict in Europe. In the very first issue of THE MESSENGER following Father Powell’s installation we read:
In order to bring a little brightness into a war-darkened world Father Powell conceived the idea of bringing more color into the interior of Saint John’s through stained glass and painted statuary. In order to add color to the dull yellow of the windows Father Powell called upon Mr. Pierre de Chaignon la Rose, an outstanding ecclesiologist and expert in the field of heraldry, to produce a series of medallions containing the emblems of saints. Father Powell believed, as the War continued, that members of Saint John’s might care to give these medallions as memorials for those of their families who had paid the supreme sacrifice in the War, or as thanksgivings for those who had safely returned to their homes and loved ones.
The heavy load which Father Powell carried as Rector of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Superior of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (which in 1920 became an autonomous American Congregation), and Founder of the Order of Saint Anne, in time took its toll. In 1924 he developed a serious heart condition and it was obvious that he would have to be relieved of some of the burden. On January 21st, 1924, the Fathers, meeting in Chapter, released him from the great responsibility of the role of Father Superior and elected

Father Burton in his stead. It was an act of charity and Father Powell was thus spared for fourteen more fruitful years during which he served at Saint John’s as “Rector Emeritus” and forwarded the life and good works of the great Sisterhood he had founded.
https://floundah2013.wordpress.com/our-history/the-shrine-on-bowdoin-street-from-1883-1958-chapter-vii/ accessed 4/20/2023 E. Reluga

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Last Updated8/7/24

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