Candlyn was born 17 December 1892, in Davenham, Cheshire, England, the son of Thomas John Candlin, an organist.
[citation needed] In 1915 he was offered the position of organist and choirmaster at St. Paul's Church, Albany, New York, by its rector Dr. Roelif H. Brooks and he emigrated to the United States.
He was to remain at St. Paul’s for twenty-eight years, with the exception of the period between 21 September 1917, and 25 April 1919, when he served with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I and became a corporal.
In 1943, Dr. Brooks (who had left Albany in 1926) offered Candlyn the position of organist and choirmaster at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, New York.
After his retirement from St. Thomas, Candlyn was the organist and choirmaster at Trinity Church, Roslyn, (Long Island) New York.