Mountain, Jacob

First Bishop of Quebec.

Jacob Mountain was born in Norfolk, England in 1749, and attended Cambridge University from 1769 to 1777, where he obtained a B.A. in 1774 and an M.A. in 1777. He was ordained deacon in 1774 as well, then priest in 1780. He married Elizabeth Midred Wale Kentish in 1783. The couple had seven children, including George Jehoshaphat Mountain. He was perpetual curate of St. Andrews for seven years, as well as Caistor Prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral for two, until 1790, when he became Rector of Holbeach, Lincolnshire, as well as Vicar of Buckden, Cambridgeshire, posts he held until 1794. He was also Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Lincoln during this time. He was consecrated Bishop of Quebec, a brand new See, in 1793, and he and his entire family moved to Canada. He was active there as a Bishop, taking great interest in the political and religious development of the province. Though he faced many obstacles, the Church of England in Canada did grow under his leadership, with parishes and missions established throughout the Colony. He passed away in 1825 in Marchmont.