CLERGYMAN'S CENTENARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19125, 17 September 1925, Page 10

CLERGYMAN'S CENTENARY.

A NOTED AUSTRALIAN.

Born, on August 12, 1825, tW Rev, Septimus Hungerford, now living in retirement at Mosman, Sydney, last month attained to centenary jhonours. He is the oldest, clergyman in Australia. As a child, three years old, Septimus Hungerford was brought by his parents from England to settle in Sydney. The journey was made in a 700-ton sailing vesseL He was ordained deacon in 1853 and priest in 1854, and his life as a pioneer clergyman in a large country parish centring at Armidale but covering an extent of many miles was filled with experiences of rich pioneering interest. Leaving Armidale in 1875, he went to the Sydney diocese and held short locum tenencies at Darling Point, Newtown, Miller's Point and Ashfield, until 1879, when he was appointed to the parish of St. Thomas', Enfield, and remained there 16 years. At Enfield, Mr. Hungerford endeared himself to . his many parishioners and his ministry was marked by a parish hall and the rectory, both of which Were built under his direction.

Enfield was Mr. Hnngerford'a last permanent charge, and on his ; retirement to Sydney he was . afforded tokens of the great esteem in which he was held by the congregation of those , days. Later he went to reside at Mosman, and has been associated with St. Clement's Church there.

In recognition of the unique event of Mr. Hungerford's centenary, a service, was held in St. Thomas' Church, Enfield, when, Archdeacon Boyce, who ministered at Enfield in the 'sixties, unveiled a tablet "to commemorate the centenary of the Rev. Septimus Hungerford, 1825-1925, rector of this church 1879-1895."