OBITUARY

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28223, 11 March 1957, Page 8

OBITUARY

DEAN HAGGITT The Very Rev. Percy Bolton Haggitt, formerly Dean of Nelson, and a former Archdeacon of Christchurch, died suddenly in Christchurch last evening, shortly after he had preached the sermon at St. Mary's Church, Merivale, of which he was a former vicar. He was 79. For 16 years Dean of Nelson, Dean Haggitt retired in 1950 after 46 years in the service of the Church of England. During his retirement he had been living in Christchurch. “In the sudden death of Dean Haggitt, the Church has lost one of her outstanding clergy.” said the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) last evening. “His long service to the Church was marked by great attachment to young people, for whom he had a great affection. A group of men. who as boys attended a Bible class together, were holding a reunion this week-end and attended service at St. Mary’s Church last evening; Dean Haggitt met them and remembered them all by name perfectly. He is remembered in Christchurch by many generations of former pupils of St. Margaret's College. Rangiruru School. Selwyn House School. _ and St. Andrew’s College, who attended his church. In Nelson, he is remembered by successive generations of boys who were pupils of Nelson College, for whom he conducted a Bible class. * “Dean Haggitt was vicar of St Mary’s Church when the present beautiful church was built. It derived much of its character from his love of having things done decently and in order,” said Bishop Warren. Dean Haggitt’s Career Dean Haggitt was born in Dunedin and educated at the Otago Boys’ High School and’the University of Otago, from which he graduated M.A. in 1902. He took his theological training at Selwyn College. He was ordained deacon in the Church of England in 1903 and priest in 1904 at Christchurch. He was curate of St. Michael and All Angels from 1903 to 1906, and curate of Chiswick, London, from 1906 to 1907. On his return to Christchurch he became a minor canon of Christqhurch Cathedral from 1907 to 1909, when he became vicar of the parish of St. Albans. In 1915 he became ’ vicar of Merivale, where he remained until 1934. He was Archdeacon of Christchurch from 1918 to 1934. From 1934 until his retirement in January, 1950, he was Dean of Nelson and vicar of the Cathedral parish. At his last service in Christ Church Cathedral. Nelson, the Bishop of Nelson announced that the Diocese of Nelson had conferred on him the title of Dean Emeritus in recognition of his good work. Dean Haggit is survived by his wife and two daughters.