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The First Bishop: The Legacy of Bishop William A. Leonard

as we reflect on the history and growth of the Episcopal Church in Wisconsin, we remember with gratitude Bishop William A. Leonard, the first bishop of our neighboring Diocese of Western Connecticut. While Bishop Leonard’s ministry took place far from Eau Claire, his legacy of vision and leadership is one that resonates with us all, inspiring the ongoing work of building up the Church and deepening our shared faith.

A Humble Beginning and Strong Calling

Born in 1914, Bishop Leonard’s journey in the Church began with studies at the University of the South (Sewanee) and the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. After his ordination to the priesthood in the 1940s, he quickly became known for his pastoral heart, wisdom, and organizational skill. In 1964, he was consecrated as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Western Connecticut—a role that would see him lay the groundwork for a vibrant, growing Church in that region.

At the time, the Diocese of Western Connecticut was still in its early stages, and Bishop Leonard’s leadership was crucial in helping it grow into a thriving diocese. His ministry was defined by a vision that would both expand the physical presence of the Church and deepen its spiritual life.

Building a Thriving Diocese

Bishop Leonard’s commitment to building both physical and spiritual structures was evident from the beginning of his episcopacy. One of his key priorities was establishing new churches and expanding existing ones to accommodate a growing number of faithful. His dedication to building sacred spaces helped strengthen the diocesan community and provide places for worship, prayer, and fellowship.

But Bishop Leonard’s vision went beyond just physical buildings. He placed a strong emphasis on education and formation, ensuring that both clergy and laypeople were well-equipped for ministry. Through his leadership, several Episcopal schools and educational initiatives were launched, giving future generations the tools to live out their faith with understanding and conviction.

A Legacy of Service and Outreach

Bishop Leonard's leadership was also marked by a deep sense of pastoral care and community outreach. He believed that the Church must not only serve its own members but must reach out to the broader community, reflecting Christ’s love in action. This spirit of service, of being the hands and feet of Christ in the world, is something that continues to shape the life of the Church in Wisconsin, including our own ministry here at Christ Church Cathedral.

Through his work, Bishop Leonard helped to create a diocese that was spiritually alive, administratively stable, and deeply committed to outreach and service. His focus on strengthening the clergy and expanding educational opportunities ensured that the diocese would be able to meet the needs of its growing community for years to come.

Honoring His Legacy in Our Own Time

Though Bishop Leonard’s ministry was focused in Connecticut, his example of visionary leadership continues to inspire us here in the Diocese of Wisconsin. As we continue to grow in faith, service, and community, we are reminded of the importance of building strong foundations for the future—just as Bishop Leonard did for his diocese.

At Christ Church Cathedral, we are part of a vibrant Episcopal community, and we are called to carry forward the same values of service, education, and outreach that Bishop Leonard so faithfully embodied. His legacy reminds us that the work of the Church is never just about our own parishes or communities—it’s about building up the Body of Christ in the world, so that all may come to know the love and grace of God.

As we reflect on Bishop Leonard’s contributions, let us give thanks for his vision and leadership, and pray that we may continue to build on the legacy of faith he left behind.

Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Journal
November 12, 2024

The number of people we're serving continues to rise: one day we served 80 of our brothers and sisters, that's an unfortunate new high for the street ministry.  While we don't serve this number of people every night, we're serving between 65-70 visitors. This is very concerning with the colder weather coming as everyone's safety needs increase.  We are always accepting gloves - the larger the better — and other winter gear. Please take a look at our needs list for additional information.
 
Our volunteers were on hand to assist a woman up 
and across the street after she fell. 
 
We're helping several single, young women who are unhoused. The commonality between them is that they are all at high risk for some sort of violence. There are three, in particular, that appear to be at higher risk as they are alone and appear to be inexperienced and naive out there. One of them looks very young and has, so far, been difficult to garner much information from. Women, in general, are at high risk for violence especially when they are not staying at the shelter at night.  We've provided contact information if they need safety or help. They, along with many others, are ill-prepared for their journey on the street. We encourage awareness, alertness, and avoidance when possible. 
 
A woman came to us and asked if we could help locate her son. She knew that he had been taken into custody and was likely incarcerated in Minnesota, but she did not know where and she simply wanted to know where he was.  It took some time when we were off the street to do some checking on the internet, but we did locate him. The next time we were out, we provided the contact information and she immediately borrowed a phone and called the number given. The conversation was private but she had tears rolling down her cheeks, so it seems safe to assume that the news was not positive.  As a mom, my heartstrings were tugged as I understood the need to know where her child is. I later thought that, as we all pass by our friends who appear to be sitting idly in a park or walking around town, we have no idea of the struggles each person is facing beyond just being safe and surviving. I am glad that this woman's son is relatively safe and that she now knows where he is, and I'm grateful for the reminder that we need to consider each person out there as an individual with their own struggles and concerns.  
 
We learned that one of the men that we've served for a very long time has been sent to prison.  We've acknowledged in this and in other journals that we support and understand that when laws are broken, appropriate consequences should be taken.  Still, it saddens me/us to know that this person will likely never be able to overcome his record and find housing or work when he is released, at least not by traditional means. Prison is not necessarily going to "fix" the mental illness and homelessness that this person experiences. It will, for the time being, provide a relatively safe, dry environment for him to survive in until he returns to the community and is likely homeless again. He has a restitution of $4,000+ and if housing was difficult to obtain before, it will be next to impossible now. In the last 12 months, he has at least 12 camping tickets; if he is not able to stay in the shelter, can't afford a motel, does not have a vehicle to stay in or a friend that would let him stay with them, where should he go? He is not going to prison for the camping offenses but there are other offenses that are likely connected to the homelessness that contributed to the violation of probation: if he had a place to go, these incidents perhaps would not have occurred. 
 
As always, thank you for your support. We say it regularly, but it is true: we truly could not do this without you. 
 
Blessings to all,
CVSM staff
 
 
 
Thank you for your interest and your donations to 
Chippewa Valley Street Ministry, we are
grateful for your generosity!
We accept new and gently used items that are clean 
and in good condition. 
Thank you for your support!
 
Hoodies - all sizes, especially XL and larger
Sweatpants - all sizes, especially L and larger
Gloves & mittens - the bigger, the better
Winter socks
Boxer briefs - all sizes
Winter hats/stocking caps
Handwarmers
Monetary donations
 
Please note the following information for donations:
 
Checks and/or gift cards can be mailed to:
 
CVSM
PO Box 52
Eau Claire, WI 54702

  1. Tracing Our Roots: Reflections on the Historic Diocese of Eau Claire
  2. "Tracing Our Roots": Reflections on the Historic Diocese of Eau Claire
  3. Stewardship Sunday
  4. Obituary ~ Mark Nelson