Wells, George Anderson

Second Bishop of Cariboo.

George Anderson Wells was born in Salmon Cove, Newfoundland in 1877, and educated in Newfoundland, Quebec, and Manitoba. He was private from 1901 to 1902 with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles during the South African War, and in 1910, obtained a B.A. from the University of Manitoba. He was also ordained deacon that year, and was curate of St. Thomas' Church, Winnipeg. He would then be made curator of St. Mar's Church in Minnedosa, Manitoba, which he held from 1910 to 1914. He was ordained priest in 1911. He enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914, serving as Chaplain and Senior Chaplain, earning the Auxiliary Forces Officer's Decoration in 1916, and being appointed by his Gracious Majesty, King George V, Companion of the Most Distinguished Order St. Michael and St. George in 1917. After the war, he became rector of St. Luke's Church in Victoria, British Columbia for a year, then of St. Margaret's Church, Winnipeg, again for a year. In 1921, he became Warden of St. John's College, Winnipeg, and held that position until 1934. From 1923 to 1934, he was honourary clerical secretary of the Provincial Synod of Rupert's Land. In 1924, he received an M.A. from the University of Chicago, in Education and Hellenistic Greek. During this time, he also served as Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Rupert's Land. He was a member of the Council and Board of Studies of the University of Manitoba, and lectured there on Religious Education, as well as Practical Theology at St. John's College. From 1926 to 1934, he was a member of Manitoba's Provincial Board of Education, and was a trustree of the Manitoba Canteen Fund. In 1932, he received an honourary D.D. from St. John's College. He was consecrated Bishop of Cariboo in 1934, and remained in this position until 1941, when he resigned. He was Chaplain of the Fleet, Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War, and in 1947, was Assistant Bishop of Toronto. He passed away in 1964.