50 YEARS A MINISTER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 207, 14 June 1933, Page 6

50 YEARS A MINISTER

ARCHDEACON F. C. EVANS.

LONG PERIOD IN TARANAKI

(Special to the “ Guardian.”) NEAV PLYMOUTH, June 13

Archdeacon F. G. Evans on Sunday completed 50 years’ service as a priest of the Anglican Church and lie celebrated the occasion by taking no fewer than three services in different parts of North Taranaki, Raliotu, Pu.niho and Fitzroy. Of the 50 years Archdeacon Evans has spent 37 in New Plymouth.

Born in Chester, England, in 1857, Mr Evans is the son of the- late Rev. William Evans, minister of City Street Church, Chester. He received his education in Chester and came to New Zealand by invitation in 1879. The following year he entered St. John’s College, Auckland. He was ordained deacon in 1881 and received appointment as curate to Canon Bates at Devonport,

Two years later came his ordination to the priesthood, and this was followed in the same year by appointment as vicar of Northcote-cum-Taka-puna parish. In 1884 he moved to the Thames parish, and in 1889 was appointed to Te Aroha. Seven years later lie left Te Aroha for New Plymouth. On the death of Archdeacon Govett in 1898 he was appointed vicar of St. Mary’s and occupied that position until he resigned in 1911. This was followed by his appointment as archdeacon of Taranaki in January, 1912. For no fewer than 28 years he was archdeacon of the province and upon his resignation in 1930 he was appointed archdeacon emeritus. While vicar of St. Mary’s, Archdeacon Evans took his TILL. degree at the Australian College of Theology in 1903.

Archdeacon Ewans has been very interested in the Army. From 1885 to 1889 he was chaplain to the Thames Navals and Rifles from 1892 to 189(5 was chaplain to the Te Aroha Rifles. In his first year at New Plymouth ho was appointed chaplain to the Taranaki Rifles, and when the new system of military organisation was adopted ho became chaplain to the 11th Taranaki Regiment, a position which lie held up to 1917. From January, 1916, to February, 1917, he served at chaplain on the hospital ship Maheno.

Archdeacon Evans was married in 1898 to Miss M. Govett, daughter of Archdeacon Govett, of New Plymouth. Mrs Evans has always been a splendid helper to her husband, travelling with him on'many occasions on his long journeys through the backbloeks of Taranaki.