VICAR OF DEVONPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 259, 2 November 1931, Page 5

VICAR OF DEVONPORT.

REV. H. B. WINGFIELD RETIRES

ARCHITECT OF MANY CHURCHES

The last service of the ministry of the Rev. H. B. Wingfield at Holy Trinity Church, Deyonport, was conducted last evening by Archdeacon MacMiirray, and the church was crowded.

After the service some 300 parishioners gathered in the parish- hall, where the Archdeacon delivered a complimentary address, referring to the vicar'e many activities in the service of God. It having been decided by tue vestry to present Mr. Wingfiekl with the offertories for the evening service, two- well-filled wallets were handed to him,

In reply, Mr. Wingfield expressed his pleasure at the honourable sentiments which actuated the gift, but it had always been an ambition of hie to leave the church free of debt, so it afforded him equal pleasure to give' his gift to that object, which would ciear the debt on the church. He felt that his service at Holy Trinity had not been-without avail. He thanked the vestry, choir, parishioners and other friends for their loyal supp'ort. The Eev. W. E. Lush, vicar of Stanley Bay, and Mr. T. N. Smallwood also spoke in complimentary Terms. Mr. Wingfield came to New Zealand as a boy, landing at Duncdin with his parents. Following his father's wishes, Mr. Wingfield, with his brother, now tiie vicar of St. Kilda, Dunedin, were taught a profession, Mr. H. B. Wingfield following a natural bent in architecture. His studies stood him in good stead, for part of his time for very many years has been devoted to ecclesiastical architecture, and St. Mary's Chinch, Pokeno, St. Albans, Waingaro, St. Bride's, Otorohanga, St. Peter's, Te Kopuru, a Maori church at Te Kapa, and St. Albans, Auckland, were all designed by him. He was ordained by Bishop Anderson, of Eiverina, Australia, in 1897, and eventu«ally raised to the priesthood by the late ! Bishop Cowie. After a term as assistant curate of St. Matthew's, Mr. Wingfield was for a brief time at Te Aroha. He was the first vicar of Polcent\ remaining there for five years. For 22 years he was in charge of St. Albans, Dominion Eoad, being the first vicar of the parish. Mr. Wingfield was appointed vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Devonport, in September, 1926. It was not long before he instituted improvements to the church property, for electritAty replaced gas for lighting and water for blowing the church organ. A Avindow was inserted to the memory of Mrs. Annie Bates, wife of the first vicar of Devonport, and beautiful chalices, and patsn were procured for the parish.