MEMORIAL WINDOW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23352, 18 November 1937, Page 8

MEMORIAL WINDOW

LATE BISHOP RICHARDS UNVEILED AT ST. HILDA’S SCHOOL The memory of Bishop Richards, who for 38 years was chaplain of St. Hilda’s Collegiate School, and whose continued and faithful assistance during that period was invaluable, was perpetuated yesterday morning, when a memorial window, erected by the old girls of the school, was unveiled in the college’s private chapel. The central panel contains the image of the Good Shepherd, while on the two side panels are the Old Girls’ badge and the diocesan emblem. The window was designed and executed by Mr R. H. Fraser. The short service of dedication, which was attended by the pupils of the school, old girls and friends, was conducted by Bishop Fitchett, who was assisted by Dean Cruickshank and Archdeacon Whitehead, as bishop’s chaplain. The window was unveiled by Miss Ann Richards, Bishop Richards’s daughter, who was the first pupil enrolled at the college. In an address before the unveiling ceremony, Bishop Fitchett took as his text portion of the thirteenth chapter of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans —“Render all their dues.” Certain names, he said, would stand out for all time in the history of the school—Bishop Nevill, Sister Geraldine, Sister Ethelene and Bishop Richards. When the two sisters came out from England, as a result of the work of Bishop Nevill, the Rev. Isaac Richards, as he then was, was warden of Selwyn College, and he was very active and most concerned in assisting in the preliminary work. He became chaplain of St. Hilda’s and remained so until he retired and left the diocese. Those four names stood out equally, but Bishop Richards deserved more consideration because of certain facts. He was chaplain of the school for 38 years, and from the very beginning of the institution had charge of the spiritual welfare of the pupils. Later he became Canon Richards, leaving Dunedin for Lawrence, and still later was made archdeacon of Queenstown and then of Southland. Even when he became bishop of the diocese, with all its extra duties—and he was a man who took his duties seriously—he still remained chaplain. In spite of the strain of the office of bishop he retained all his old interest in the school and his advice was constantly sought and willingly given.

“ When the sisters returned to England,” Bishop Fitchett continued, “ there Was a likelihood that the school would have to close down, but through the interest of Bishop Richards, who was generous with his gifts and loans, it was able to carry on, and eventually he became the first chairman of the Board of Governors. To-day we meet here in the presence of God to do honour to the memory and the name of Isaac Richards. Not only do we desire to honour his memory,' but we wish to place before the present and future pupils his life as an inspiration of what their attitude should be towards the school. The window has been erected by the old girls, and we hope that future pupils will also have that inspiration to follow in the steps of the old girls who attended the college during the time Bishop Richards was chaplain and to have for the institution the love and devotion he had for it.” The window, which bore the following inscription, was then unveiled by Miss Richards:— In Memoriam Isaac Richards Bishop of Dunedin, 1920-34 Chaplain of the school 1896-1934 Qbiit 1936 This window was erected by the old girls, November 17, 1937.