OBITUARY.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 24, Issue 8, 1 August 1934, Page 4

OBITUARY.

REV. CANON GRANT COWEN. The Church suffered a severe loss by the death of the Rev. Canon Grant Cowen, Vicar of St. Matthew's, Auckland, on July 12. The deceased gentleman was greatly beloved by all sections of the community for his largehearted Christian sympathy, and the poor of the city of Auckland will mourn the loss of a true friend. We republish the following brief sketch and tribute from the New Zealand Herald ,and join m expressing the sympathy of the Church m this Diocese with his widow and daughter. Canon Grant Cowen was well known outside his own communion for his constant and self-sacrificing efforts to relieve distress, particularly m the central city area, where his parish was situated. Born m England, he became a student at the London College of Divinity m 1903, and was ordained deacon on 1905, and priest two years later. Prom 1905 to 1907 he was curate at St. Paul's, Winchmore Hill, London. In the latter year he was appointed curate of St. Paul's, Cambridge, and became a student of Christ's College. Taking his B.A. degree m 1910, he came to New Zealand m 1912, having been appointed vicar of Hunterville. This office he held until 1915, when he became vicar of Hawera. In 1919 he received his M.A. degree from Cambridge University, and m the same year was invited to succeed the late Rev. W. E. Gillam at St. Matthew's, Auckland. He accepted, and took up his duties early m 1920. Besides administering his large parish with conspicuous success, Canon Grant Cowen took an active part m diocesan affairs as a member of the Standing Committee and other bodies, on which he had shown outstanding administrative and organising abilities. He was appointed an honorary canon pf St. Mary's Cathedral m 1924. A man of liberal spirit, he organised some years ago weekly mid-day services m his church and invited ministers of a number of other denominations to take part m them. This arrangement has continued ever

since, and the services reach a very large number of people m town and country through the medium of broadcasting. Early m the depression period he took a leading part m establishing Winter shelters for homeless unemployed until the development of the relief system mad© this form of assistance unnecessary. Later he developed the Dock Street Mission, an existing organisation m his parish, into a fine agency for helping needy people by voluntary effort m a great variety of ways. The mission has grown along lines of its own and has become a social centre of great value, rather akin to the "settlements" carried on m the crowded cities of Britain arid America. He also took a keen interest m the work of the Flying Angel Mission to Seamen, the Girls' Friendly Society, orphanges, and other philanthropic bodies. He was honorary chaplain to several organisations m the city. Canon Grant Cowen underwent a major operation more than a year ago and spent many months m hospital and m convalescence. He recovered sufficiently to take up his parochial duties again, but his health again failed and he was obliged to re-enter hospital. He leaves a widow and one daughter, Miss Doris Grant Cowen.