Purcell, Clare, 1884-1964.

Clare Purcell, Methodist clergyman and bishop, was born on November 17, 1884. Bishop Purcell was educated at Roanoke Normal College, where he met his future wife, Ida West. The two were married in Roanoke on December 28, 1910. Clare and Ida Purcell were the parents of three children.

Purcell graduated from Roanoke Normal College in 1903 and worked for Georgia Railroad in Roanoke, Birmingham, and Columbus [Georgia]. He enrolled at Emory University in 1906. Health problems prevented him from completing his degree at Emory. Purcell was granted a local preacher's license in 1906 by the Lafayette District Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In November of that year he was admitted to the North Alabama Conference on trial. He received the B.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1916, as well as an A.B. from Birmingham College in the same year.

Purcell was ordained deacon in 1911 and received elder's orders in 1913. In 1918 he entered service as an army chaplain with the 131st Infantry, spending the winter of 1918 in Luxembourg. After returning from his tour of duty, Purcell was assigned to the First Methodist Church of Hartselle. Subsequent appointments included Talladega (1920-1924) and Tuscaloosa (1924-1927). In 1927, he was assigned to the Jasper District as Presiding Elder. In 1931 he was transferred to the First Methodist Church of Gasden, AL.

In 1938, Purcell was elected Bishop at the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. As Bishop he served in Charlotte from 1938 to 1948, and in Birmingham from 1948 until his retirement in 1956. In 1955, he was elected President of the Council of Bishops of the Methodist Church. After retiring, Purcell remained in Birmingham, where he served as President of the Board of Directors of Carraway Methodist Hospital. He died on February 8th, 1964.