Canon Orange To Retire After 40 Years’ Service

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30259, 11 October 1963, Page 3

Canon Orange To Retire After 40 Years’ Service

"I have seen all that has passed through the Cathedral and realised how central to the life of the city it is,” said Canon W. A. Orange, the retiring precentor cd Christchurch Cathedral yesterday. When he takes his last service on October 27. Canon Orange will complete 40 years’ continuous service in the Diocese of Christchurch.

He said they had been very happy years. Ordained in Christchurch Cathedral on December 21, 1919, by Bishop C. Julius, later Archbishop, he served as curate of Sydenham for a year before travelling overseas for two and a quarter years. He became a priest on his return in 1923 and was appointed assistant vicar of Fendalton. From that date he has worked continuously in the

Christchurch Diocese as vicar of Waikari from 1924 to 1930. vicar of Sumner from 1930 to 1945, and attached to the Cathedral from 1946. He has served under

aH but the first Bishop of Christcburoh. Besides his duty as precentor in singing the services, Canon Orange has been chaplain to the Cathedral choir boys, whambehas “looked upon ss a sort of small perish.” He also served fw several years as ohaptesn to the Cathedral School, a position he roluiqukhed last year. Canon Orange says that he plans to take some Bible

studies and preach courses of sermons on toe Bible in his retirement. The Bishop of Christchurch (itoe Rit. Rev. A. K. Warren) recently said: “Canon Orange is a great Bible scholar known throughout New Zealand for his expository teaching.” Always interested in general Bible studies, Canon Orange said he was particularly interested in eschatology.

Speaking of church unity, he said that from its beginning in Christchurch under Bishop West Watson he had “watched with interest toe growth of toe ecumenical movement, and toe increasing interest in toe hope of

toe ultimate reunion of Christendom.” He feels that there has been real progress made toward church unity; but “toe ultimate questions have yet to be settled.” Twice president of toe In-ter-Varsity Fellowship, and for several years its vicepresldent, Canon Orange has spent much time working among students, who, he said, were always critical and asking questions. “At my age I don’t feel I live in their world any longer, but I like speaking to them, to get within range of their 'pick-tip’,” he said.