Osman Cleander Baker - Episcopal Ministry

Episcopal Ministry

The Rev. Dr. Osman Cleander Baker was elected and consecrated to the Episcopacy of the Methodist Episcopal Church by the 1852 General Conference. He discharged the varied duties of this office with diligence and success until 1866.

In 1866 Bishop Baker was attacked with partial paralysis while on his way to preside over the Colorado Annual Conference. He reached his destination with great difficulty. He thus examined and ordained the ordinands in a private room, rather than before the entire Conference. He then returned home, having suffered much pain and extreme exhaustion.

Bishop Baker's health then became sufficiently restored to enable him to preside at a few other Annual Conferences, and to attend the annual and semi-annual meetings of the Board of Bishops of the M.E. Church for two more years, when his strength again declined and his voice was greatly affected.