CANON HENRY WILLIAMS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29505, 5 May 1961, Page 10

CANON HENRY WILLIAMS

90th Birthday Of Former Chaplain

Canon Henry Williams. 0.8. E., a former chaplain of the Christchurch. St. George’s, and Sunnyside Hospitals, and a former vicar of the Woolston. Opawa, and Halswell Anglican churches, will next Tuesday celebrate his ninetieth birthday. Born in Suffolk. Canon Williams came to New Zealand with his parents m 1879. His father was for some years minister of the Trinity Congregational Church in Christchurch. Later, however, he changed to the Church of England ministry, and was curate at Woolston and vicar at Oxford and at St. Albans. After leaving school in 1890 Canon Williams took an M.A. degree at Canterbury

University College, at the same time beginning his theological training. His first post was as curate at Riccarton for a short period. During his early days in the Halswell-Greenpark district the parish had been so scattered that he had “kept a couple of horses” to cover operations, but later on “I got a bicycle.” Canon Williams told “The Press” this week. In 1930 he was made a canon, and held that post until his retirement at the age of 83. In 1956 Canon Williams was awarded the 0.8. E. for his services in church and hospital work. Since his retirement tn 1954 he has continued to keep up his chief interests in English literature and his hobby of woodwork and carving. He also attends frequently church services at ’be Christchurch Cathedral and at St. Michael’s Church. “Apart from that I have nothing much to do; and I must say that I do this very well.” he said with a chuckle, and settled back into his comfortable chair to continue his well-earned reqt at the Church of England "Averill House” in Merivale.