Eric Arthur John Mercer (6 December 1917 – 8 November 2003) was an Anglican bishop in the Church of England. He was the first Bishop of Birkenhead from 1965 to 1973 and, from then until his retirement, the Bishop of Exeter.[1]

Mercer was educated at Dover Grammar School for Boys[2] and Kelham Theological College. After wartime service with the Sherwood Foresters he began his ordained ministry as a curate at Coppenhall. In 1951 he was appointed priest in charge of Heald Green and then became rector of St Thomas' Church, Stockport[3] and, from 1959 (his final appointment before his ordination to the episcopate), the Diocese of Chester's diocesan missioner.[4] In 1973 he was translated to be the Bishop of Exeter.[5] He died in retirement, at Chilmark, Wiltshire, aged 85.

References

  1. ^ "Ecclesiastical News: Consecration Of Two Bishops Suffragan", The Times, 3 November 1965, p14.
  2. ^ Who's Who 1970 London, A & C Black, 1971 ISBN 0-7136-1140-5
  3. ^ Photo of church
  4. ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory 1975-76 London: Oxford University Press, 1976 ISBN 0-19-200008-X
  5. ^ The Times, 30 August 1973, p14, "Bishops named for Exeter and Hereford"
Church of England titles New titleInaugural appointment Bishop of Birkenhead 1965 – 1973 Succeeded byRonald Brown Preceded byRobert Cecil Mortimer Bishop of Exeter 1973 – 1985 Succeeded byHewlett Thompson
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