A CLERICAL’S RECORD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 130, 25 July 1911, Page 6

A CLERICAL’S RECORD.

The oldest officiating clergyman of the Church of England is probably the Bov. W. Wriothesley Wingfield, now in his 97th year. He has been vicar of Gnlval, in Cornwall, since 1839. Mr. Wingfield was presented to the benefice by his father-in-law. Lord Cottenham—then Lord Chancellor in the Melbourne Ministry—who commented on his frail appearance, and cheerfully predicted that he “would not live another twelve months.” Long as it is, Mr. Wingfield’s seven-ty-two years’ tenure of one living has been exceeded, though not hv ranch. The Rev. Potter Cole, Lord of the Manor of Wonlfardimvorthy. in Wilt? shire, who died in 1802 at the age of 97, held the living of Hawkcshnry, Gloucestershire, for '73 years, during the whole of which time ho was rawer out of his parish for a month at a time. The Bey. Henry Bigot, f).IL, who died in 1722, at the age of 94, was rector of Brindle for 71 years, as well as vicar of Rochdale for just over 60.