He then retired in part because he opposed revising the Book of Common Prayer and ordaining women as priests, which would be expressly authorized by the General Convention in 1976.
[2] He married the former Frances Hewette Davis, and they raised two daughters (Sally and Fran) before her death in 1976.
In 1962, Chambers was selected as bishop of Springfield, Illinois, and served a decade (1962-1972) until retiring, moving to Dennis, Massachusetts.
Chambers strongly objected to the ordination of women, which the Episcopal Church approved at its General Convention in 1976.
Disregarding this new policy, the retired bishop secretly entered dioceses to perform confirmations at parishes that likewise opposed the ordination of women, without the consent of the current diocesan bishop (who would normally perform such confirmations despite the congregation's protests of other matters).
He died in a hospital in Sun City Center, Florida, survived by his daughters and grandchildren.