Fr. Giddings, born in Carbondale Pennsylvania April 27, 1921, was graduated from Keystone Academy, Lehigh University, The Episcopal Divinity School; he also received certificates from Christ Church College, Canterbury, Kent, England and Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry.
He began his ministry in 1937 as a Lay Preacher at four Mission Churches in the Diocese of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. While a seminarian, he served as Chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Framingham Reform School for Women in Massachusetts. Ordained a Priest in 1945, Fr. Giddings served as Curate at St. Stephen's Church, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In 1948, he became Chaplain at the University of New Hampshire and was charged with founding St. George's Mission, Durham. He was Chair of The Department of Youth; a member of the Diocesan Executive Council and the Commission on Ministry; and he was also Director of the United Protestant Association at the University of New Hampshire.
Giddings was called as Rector to St. John's Church, Franklin, Pennsylvania in 1953. In the Diocese of Erie, he served on the Diocesan Executive Council and was Chairman of the Examining Chaplains. For the National Church, he served as Consultant of Assessment and Evaluation as well as for the Adult Leadership Team. He was Canon Theologian to the Bishop of Erie. While in Franklin, he served as Chairman of both the American Red Cross for Venango County, PA and Red Feather Campaign.
Called to be Rector of the historic Christ Church, Redding, Connecticut in 1958, Fr. Giddings served the Diocese of Connecticut as Dean of the Danbury Deanery; he was a member of Diocesan Executive Council; Commission on the Ministry – Personal and Professional Concerns of Clergy and Families ; Board of Episcopal Social Service; Treasurer and Board member of the Association of Religious Communities; Chairman of the Diocesan Planning Commission; Chairman of the Clergy Conference Committee; and served as a member of the Hispanic Commission. He retired in 1993 after 28 years of service as Rector of Christ Church, Redding.
In retirement, Giddings continued his ministry as a volunteer Priest in Charge in parishes in Puerto Rico, St. Croix, Dominica, Granada, Antigua, and Nevis. In England he served as substitute Warden of the Little Gidding Community with churches in Great, Little, and Steeple Gidding as well as Winwick. He was Interim Rector of St. Martin's and St. Paul's, Canterbury. He also acted as Warden of Dovedale House – a theological training center with the parish churches of Ilam and Blore. He was assistant to the Vicar of Bakewell, with parishes of Over-Haddon and Rowlsey. He assisted at St. George's, Taormina, Sicily.
In the United States, he served as Interim Rector at several parishes in the Diocese of New Hampshire: North Conway, Tilton-Franklin, Wear-Dunbarton, Sanbornville; he was Supply Priest to Ashland, North Woodstock, Bethlehem and Bretton Woods; and Woodsville . He was also Interim Rector at Grace Mission, Groveland, California. He was awarded the CompOass Rose Medallion for service in the Anglican Communion.
Fr. Giddings was a Fellow of the College of Preachers; a Proctor-Merrill Fellow at Episcopal Divinity School and Harvard Divinity School; and a Mentor at Bairnwick Center, the University of the South.
Married to Jean Helen Schoonmaker 30 September 1945 - deceased March 16, 2012. He is survived by his four children: Dr. Stephen J. Giddings, St. Louis, Missouri; Dr. Jeremy L. Giddings, El Cerrito, California; Martha Macris, The Woodlands, Texas; and Jonathan R. Giddings, Brooklyn, New York. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Olivia K. Giddings, Tim G. Macris, Julia DeMarinis Giddings, Jane G. Macris, Dimitri G. Macris, Sara J. Giddings, Evan H. A. Giddings, and Jack R. A. Giddings. He also had two great-grandsons: Cruz O. Gaxialoa and Aristides J. Macris.
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