N.Z. VICAR'S BIG POST

Evening Star, Issue 25325, 6 November 1944, Page 4

N.Z. VICAR'S BIG POST

LEADING CHURCH IN AMERICA A SIGHIFICANTAPPOINTMENT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Nov. 6. . An appointment to St. Ann's Church, New York City, one of America's leading Episcopal Churches, has been received by an Auckland clergyman, the Rev. Melville Harcourt, vicar of Birkenhead. The appointment of a New Zealand clergyman to this- important church is regarded as a significant and ifar-sighted attempt on the part of American churchmen to encourage the development of understanding and cordiality between the peoples of the two English-speaking nations._ The occupant of such a pulpit is in a position to wield considerable influonoe with a wide section of the people in America. " The people of the States have a profound respect for the contribution New Zealand has made during the war, and apparently want to know more about your nation, people, and Church," said Chaplain Wesley Wilder, the American naval chaplain in New Zealand, commenting on the appointment. "Mr Harcourt goes to America, not merely as a priest, but also as an ambassador for New Zealand," he added—an '• opinion • endorsed by tho Bishop of Auckland in a letter to Mr Harcourt. .

St. Ann's was established 160 years ago, and is famed for its missionary enterprise. The (Rev. Melville Harcourt was educated in England and Christchurch, and has the reputation of being a brilliant E readier. He is the author <ii several ooks, and was formerly an Auckland journalist.