George R. Selway

George Rhys Selway (June 4, 1905 - February 28, 1989)[1] was bishop of the Diocese of Northern Michigan in The Episcopal Church, serving from 1964 to 1972.

Selway was a 1929 graduate of Kenyon College where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity.[2]

Selway served as rector of several churches in Ohio before serving as rector of St. Paul's church in Lansing, MI from 1945 to 1959.[3] Prior to his election as bishop, he was dean of Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix.[4]

Selway was ordained as bishop on October 1, 1964. He was very liberal and concerned with urban problems and social activism which weren't priorities for many in his new diocese. However, he was an avid fly fisherman, hunter, and sailor. These qualities, and much travel, helped him fit in with the people of northern Michigan.[3] As bishop he dispersed more leadership responsibilities to lay people, which paved the way for the Mutual Ministry model used today.[5] In 1969, women in the diocese were allowed to become wardens of vestries. He was also able to make progress in increasing base pay and benefits for the clergy in the diocese[3]

After his retirement in 1972, he became the first executive director of Episcopal Community Services in Arizona.[6]