CANON W. A. ORANGE WAS BIBLE SCHOLAR

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31098, 29 June 1966, Page 16

CANON W. A. ORANGE WAS BIBLE SCHOLAR

Canon W. A. Orange, one of Christchurch’s best-known Anglican Bible scholars and Precentor of the Cathedral for 13 years, died yesterday. He was 76.

Born in Woolston, Canon Orange received his primary and secondary education in Kaikoura. He worked for a short time with the D.I.C. in Christchurch before he began studies for the ministry at College House in 1914. Head of College House from 1918 to 1919, he was secretary of the Canterbury University College Students’ Association in 1919, the year he graduated B.A. and was ordained deacon.

Canon Orange served as curate at St. Saviour’s, Sydenham, until 1921, when he left on a two-year world trip with a friend. On his return in 1923, he was ordained priest, and was acting vicar of Fendalton from 1923 to 1924. He served as vicar of Waikari from 1924 to 1930, and vicar of Sumner from 1930 to 1945. It was at Sumner that he gained his reputation as a Bible teacher. His young men’s Bible class attracted members from as far as Upper Riccarton.

Canon Orange was acting Precentor of Christchurch Cathedral from 1947 to 1949, served as Precentor from 1949 to 1962, as honorary Pre-

centor from 1962 to 1963 and as honorary canon to the Cathedral from 1951 to 1962. He was also chaplain of Cathedral Grammar School from 1954 to 1960.

An avid reader, Canon Orange had one of the biggest

libraries of New Zealand clergymen. A fellow student at College House, Archdeacon L. G. Whitehead, said that he knew of no other clergyman in New Zealand in whose fellowship he “found such intellectual stimulus.”

In his earlier years, Canon Orange had an active interest in walking and mountaineering. He often walked from Christchurch to Lyttelton by way of Governor’s Bay. Canon Orange was not married.

' In a tribute, Mr C. Foster I Browne, Cathedral organist ’ and master of the choristers, said that, as Cathedral Precentor, Canon Orange showed outstanding ability as a preacher and he attracted large congregations through his scholarly exposition of Holy Scripture. His style was marked by an exact use of language and by logical argument based upon a masterly knowledge of his subject. “He had a love of the liturgy and for having everything done decently and in order. He made many friend-! ships with people associated! with him at the Cathedral—from choir boys to clergy—and these have endured.”

The former Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) will give the address at the funeral service to be held at the Cathedral tomorrow.