Archbishop Douglas Hambidge

With sadness, the Diocese of New Westminster shares the news that Archbishop Douglas Hambidge died on March 2, 2026, just days before his 99th birthday.

He was born in London on 6 March 1927,and educated at London University. He served in the armed forces during World War II.

Archbishop Hambidge was ordained in London, England, on September 29, 1953. He came to Cassiar, B.C., in 1956 and served as Rector of All Saints Church. He was convinced to stay in B.C. and served parishes in Smithers and Fort St. John. In 1965, he became a Canon of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Prince Rupert. In May 1969, the Reverend Douglas Hambidge was consecrated as the seventh Bishop of Caledonia.

As a married man with three children, he brought a new style of ministry to the episcopate in BC. Archbishop Hambidge's principal innovation in Caledonia was " indigenous ministry" - the licensing of people chosen by their communities to be their priests. This form of ministry was developed specifically for Caledonia under the influence of the religious customs and practices of local indigenous people. In 1980, he was elected Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster. In 1981, he became Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and Yukon and served in the two roles until he retired in 1993.

Upon retirement, he accepted a volunteer position as principal of St. Mark's Theological College in Dar Es Salaam, sponsored through the Anglican Volunteers in Mission program of the Anglican Church of Canada. He returned to B.C. and the Diocese of New Westminster in the early 2000s and served as an interim priest in charge at various parishes. In 2023, Archbishop Hambidge and his wife, Denise, moved to Calgary.

Archbishop Hambidge was predeceased by his wife, Denise. He is survived by his three children.

Details regarding a memorial service will be shared once they are confirmed.