Clement Moore Butler

Clement Moore Butler (1810–1890) was an Episcopal priest, author, and seminary professor who served as Chaplain of the Senate from 1850 to 1853.

Early years

Clement Moore Butler was born on October 16, 1810, in Troy, New York, the son of David Butler and Chloe Jones Butler. He was graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1833, and the General Theological Seminary, New York, in 1836. Butler was ordained by Bishop Benjamin Treadwell Onderdonk in June 1837. Onderdonk is alleged to have made improper advances toward Mrs. Butler in a carriage the evening before the ordination. (She was one of a number of women who alleged sexual harassment by the bishop, leading to his suspension. )

Ministry

During the years 1837 through 1854, Butler served congregations in New York City; Palmyra, New York; Georgetown, Washington, D.C.; Boston, Massachusetts; and Trinity Church, Washington, D.C.

He served as chaplain of the United States Senate from 1849 till 1853. On April 1, 1850, he delivered the funeral address for Senator John C. Calhoun. On July 1, 1852, he delivered the funeral address for Henry Clay, Senator, Congressman, and Secretary of State.

From 1854 to 1857, he was rector of Christ Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. He then returned to Washington, where he served Trinity Church once more, through 1861. Butler was thereafter chaplain to the United States minister at Rome, Italy, and the second rector of Grace Church (now St. Paul’s Within the Walls) in Rome (1861–1864).

Butler returned to the United States in 1864, and became professor of ecclesiastical history at the Divinity School of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Philadelphia. He served until 1884, when he retired due to ill health.

Butler died on March 5, 1890, in Germantown, Pennsylvania.