Edward Feild was born at Worcester, England and became a priest in 1827. When offered the see of Newfoundland in 1844 he was Rector of Bicknor and Inspector of Schools in the Diocese of Salisbury.
He was a High-Church man and by temperament an uncompromising rigorist and extremist, he battled local polititians, Roman Catholics, Methodists, and Evangelicals of his own church. As part of building an independent Anglican Church he had the S.P.G. reduce missionary salaries by one-half seeking instead support from Newfoundlanders.
One of his first actions in Newfoundland was to make improvements to the theological seminary begun by Bishop Spencer. 2 years after Bishop Feild’s arrival much of St John’s including the church was destroyed by fire. The Bishop went to England where he was able to raise funds for a new Cathedral in St John’s and a mission ship The Hawk
The ship arrived in Newfoundland in 1847 with its hold was fitted out as a long room that could be used as a church. Bishop Feild sailed this ship every other year in and out of the harbours and coves of Newfoundland and was in service for 25 years.
In 1867 Archdecon J.B.Kelly was made coadjutor. In the autumn of 1875 Bishop Feild went to Hamilton, Bermuda for his health but there died 8 June 1876. During his episcopate the number of clergy in the diocese had increased from 12 to 50.