Bishop Isaac Barrow

Isaac Barrow Uncle to the eponymous and more famous theologian and mathematician Isaac Barrow.

Both Bishop and Governor - a brief description of his works was given by Bishop Wilson in his History:

" That (through the poverty of the place) the Church may never want fit persons to perform Divine offices, and to instruct the people in necessary truths and duties, the pious and worthy Dr. Isaac Barrow, soon after the restoration, being then Bishop of Mann, did so effectually make use of his interest with his Majesty, King Charles the Second, and other noble benefactors, that he obtained a grant of one hundred pounds a year, payable out of the Excise for ever, for the better maintenance of the poor Vicars and Schoolmasters of his diocese. And the Right Hon. Charles Earl of Derby, being pleased to make a long lease of the Impropriations of the Isle in his hands, which, either as Lord or Abbot, were one third of the whole tithes, the good Bishop found means to pay for the said lease; which besides an old rent and fine, still payable to the Lord of the Isle, may be worth to the Clergy and Schools about one hundred pounds more. Besides this, he collected amongst the English nobility and gentry (whose names and benefactions are registered and preserved in public tables in every parish,) six hundred pounds, the interest of which maintains an academic master. And by his own private charity he purchased two estates in land, worth twenty pounds a year, for the support of such young persons as should be designed for the ministry. So that the name and good deeds of that excellent prelate will be remembered with gratitude, so long as any sense of piety remains among them." His arms may still be seen as part of the badge of King William's College which was funded out of the proceeds of his fund.

Translated to St. Asaph where he did equally good work in consolidating the finances of the Diocese even at the expense of his own profit. He also recovered the north and south aisles of the Cathedral with lead; erected and endowed an almshouse for eight poor widows and bequested £200 towards an intended free school. One can only regret that he spent so little time in Man.

Died at Shrewsbury, 1680, buried near west door of the Cathedral, on his tombstone is his own epitaph

"O vos transeuntes in Domum Domini, domum oratonis, orate pro conservo vestro ut ineveniat misericordiam in Die Domini" [O ye that pass by into the House of the Lord, the House of Prayer, pray for your fellow servant that he may find mercy in the day of the Lord]

Interestingly his altar tomb lies just outside the west door, across from another translatee from Sodor and Man - Bishop Vowler Short.

Source: http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/people/bishops/barrow.htm

Isaac Barrow was an English clergyman and Bishop, first of Sodor and Man, and then later of St. Asaph. He also served as Governor of the Isle of Man. He is sometimes confused with his more famous namesake and nephew, Isaac Barrow, the mathematician and theologian. Barrow was the son of Isaac Barrow of Spiney Abbey, Cambridgeshire. His father was a landowner and a justice of the peace for more than forty years. In July 1629 the young Barrow was admitted to Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he became a fellow in 1635. In 1641 he was appointed rector of Hinton, but was expelled by the Presbyterians in 1643. Afterwards, he served as a chaplain at New College, Oxford, until the surrender of Oxford to the Parliamentary army in 1646. Barrow bided his time during the interregnum, becoming a Doctor of Divinity. Following the Restoration he received back his fellowship and was appointed a Fellow of Eton College in 1660.

In 1663, however, he resigned his fellowship and was consecrated bishop of Sodor and Man. His nephew preached the consecration sermon. The following year he was appointed Governor of the Isle of Man. During his brief time there he became known as a reformer, establishing schools and improving the living conditions of the impoverished clergy. He established the Bishop Barrow Trust in 1668, and is thus regarded as the founder of what would become King William's College. His arms may still be seen as part of the badge of the college. He was well regarded by his contemporaries for having a generous and kind heart, determined to help the suffering and the poor. He often took money from his private funds to assist those in need. The most notable of such occasions was his purchase of two estates of land, where he provided for the support of young people who wished to pursue careers in ministry. The very next year he returned to England. His health was failing. Still, he was translated to the bishopric of St. Asaph. His health rallied for a time, and his energy returned. During this period he carried out major repairs to the cathedral at St. Asaph's, as well as the episcopal palace and the building of an alms-house for eight poor widows. When he died in 1680 he had plans in the works for a free school at St. Asaph.

Barrow never married. He is buried in the churchyard at St. Asaph. His tombstone created a controversy, since it encouraged worshipers at the church to pray for his soul, which is a Catholic practice not observed by the Church of England.