Rev. Canon Karsten, Jr. Obituary (1924 - 2014)

Readfield, ME-The Rev. Canon Charles E. Karsten, Jr., 89, Pentridge House, Readfield, Maine died on Sunday, February 2, 2014, at Maine Veterans’ Home, Augusta, Maine. He was rector emeritus Christ Church, Gardiner, Maine, and pastor emeritus of the Gardiner Area Ministers Association. Canon Karsten was born in New York City of May 30, 1924 the eldest son of the Rev. Charles E. and Elizabeth Scovil Karsten late of Dobbs Ferry, New York, and Kents Hill, Maine. He graduated from the Sewanee Military Academy, Sewanee, Tennessee; the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee 1945; Ripon Hall Theological College, Oxford; and Oxford University, Oxford, England 1947. He also attended General Theological Seminary in New York City; Yale University; and was a visiting scholar at Cambridge University 1972. He was ordained a deacon at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City, and priest at St. Stephen’s Church, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania where he served as assistant minister 1948 – 1951. He was assistant minister Trinity Church, New Haven, Connecticut 1951-1953. While minister in charge, Olivet Episcopal Church, Franconia, Virginia 1953-1957 a church parish house and rectory were constructed and St. Alban’s Church, Annandale, Virginia founded. While rector of Christ Church, Gardiner 1957-1987 a parish house was built and a building for church offices acquired. In the diocese of Maine he presided over a portion of the convention which in 1986 elected the seventh bishop of Maine; served as president of the Standing Committee of the diocese of Maine; Canon of St. Luke’s Cathedral, Portland; deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church; and vice-president of the Maine Council of Churches. His was predeceased by his wife, Daphne, who died November 11, 2013 and a son, Christopher. Surviving are his daughter, Wendy D. Karsten-Beck, Pentridge House, Readfield, Maine, a daughter-in-law, Laila Faavaag of New York and two grandchildren, Rebecca and Charles Karsten of New York. A funeral service for Canon Karsten will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at Christ Church Episcopal, Gardiner, with internment immediately following for Charles and Daphne in the Christ Church Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, Maine. Condolences may be sent to his daughter Wendy at the following address: Wendy Karsten-Beck 16 Hunts Lane Readfield, ME 04355 Memorials may be sent to the: Christ Episcopal Church Building Fund 2 Dresden Avenue Gardiner, Maine 04345 Charitable donations may be made to: Christ Episcopal Church Building Fund 2 Dresden Avenue Gardiner, Maine 04345 ,