J. Warren Hutchens

Joseph Warren Hutchens (January 20, 1910 – August 4, 1979) was diocesan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut from 1971 to 1977. He had served previously as suffragan from 1961.

Priest Hutchens was ordained a deacon in June 1937 and priest that same December, on both occasions by Bishop George Craig Stewart of Chicago. He served as curate of St Luke's Pro-Cathedral in Evanston, Illinois till 1939. He then became the assistant priest of St John's Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and in 1940, rector of the same church. From 1949, he also served as a board member of the Board for examining chaplains of the Diocese of Connecticut. In 1955 he became a member of the standing committee. He served as deputy to the 1958 and 1961 General Conventions.

Bishop Hutchens was elected Suffragan Bishop of Connecticut on September 12, 1961, during a special convention of the diocese. He was elected on the second ballot, among six other candidates. He was consecrated on November 14, 1961, by Bishop Walter H. Gray of Connecticut in Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford, Connecticut. He was elected to serve as diocesan bishop of Connecticut, ten years later on January 14, 1971. His main achievements as bishop concerned the reorganization of the diocese to enhance the participation of the laity. He was also instrumental in establishing a historical research aspect in the diocese, notably concerning the preparation and writing of parish histories. Hutchens retired in 1977 and was given the title of Bishop Emeritus of Connecticut in 1978 by the General Convention. He died in Litchfield, Connecticut following a lengthy illness on August 4, 1979.

Family Hutchens and Carolyn Hilton married on November 19, 1940, and together they had two daughters.