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Alfred Walter Averill |
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Throughout his 46 year career in New Zealand Bishop "Wally" Averill had enormous
impact on the Church in New Zealand, and on the social development of the
country. He worked tirelessly through World War I (1914-1918), the Depression of
the 1930s, and part of World War II (1939-40) to promote peace, social justice
and responsible citizenship. This warm, friendly, genial practical man ranks as
one of the most important figures in New Zealand Anglican Church history, and
undoubtedly deserves more prominence for his role in the history of the country
than is presently recognised.
Born in Staffordshire, England, on 7 October 1865, he was educated at St.
John's College, Oxford, graduating with an honours degree in theology, and at
Ely Theological College, where he prepared for the priesthood. He was granted an
Honorary Doctorate of Divinity by Oxford University in 1912.
Admitted Deacon in St Paul's Cathedral, London in 1888, ordained priest in
1889, he served as a Curate at St. George's Church, Hanover Square, and Holy
Trinity Church, Dalston, before migrating to New Zealand to become Vicar of the
Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Christchurch, in 1894. He instituted a
strong parochial ministry and actively encouraged social services.
Succesively he was appointed Canon of Christchurch Cathedral, Archdeacon of
Akaroa (1903) and Archdeacon of Christchurch (1909), before being consecrated
Bishop of Waiapu in 1910. During an incredibly busy three years the Diocese
developed a comprehensive network of churches, parishes and support
organizations, and he assured the Waiapu Church Gazette of continuance
with personal financial support.
Bishop Averill accepted translation and was enthroned as Bishop of Auckland
on 14th February 1914. He participated in the Lambeth Conference of 1920, and
was elected Archbishop and Primate of New Zealand in 1925.
In 1926 he oversaw the establishment of the Diocese of Waikato, which took
over the southern area of Auckland Diocese, and in 1928 promoted the formation
of the Maori Bishopric of Aotearoa. He also supported amendments to the
Constitution of the Church in N.Z. to enable it to achieve full autonomy from
the Church of England.
During his term Bishop Averill founded the Auckland City Mission, and
extended and consolidated many of the major Anglican institutions which abound
today. He instigated the restoration of St
Stephen's Chapel and the Melanesian Mission buildings at Mission Bay, and
actively supported a large number of social and welfare organizations. He was
the first honorary member of the Auckland Rotary Club.
Honours included the Doctorate from Oxford, installation as a sub-prelate of
the Order of St John of England in 1924, and as an Episcopal Canon of St
George's Collegiate Church, Jerusalem, and investiture as a Companion of the
Order of St Michael and St George (CMG).
The Bishop retired to Christchurch in 1940. His wife Mary died in 1951, and
Bishop Averill died on 6th July 1957 in his 91st year. At the Memorial
Service held at St Mary's Cathedral Church to celebrate his life, his successor,
The Rt Revd John Simkin spoke of his "continuing sense of vocation, the
forcefulness of his preaching, his geniality and his friendship."
Bishop Rae Monteith (1904-2003), ordained by Archbishop Averill in
1928, recalled in 2001:
"My first memory of Averill was his visit to St John's College, I think
in 1925 or 1926, to meet the students, some of whom with High Church leanings
had formed the St John's College Anglo-Catholic Society. The Archbishop stated
that such divisions within the college were no part of our theological training,
and officially declared the Anglo-Catholic Society dead!"
"I had several times heard Averill described as a layman's bishop, and
he certainly got on very well with the laity. However, I found him also a most
helpful Bishop to the clergy."
"His churchmanship? Moderate, I would say. I don't believe he ever wore
a cope or mitre, nor did many other New Zealand bishops of the time."
"Near the end of his episcopate he and Mrs Averill moved from [Neligan
House] Parnell to Howick. I believe that Standing Committee and other
Board meetings were got through quickly because the Howick Bishopscourt had a
fine billiard table!"
Archbishop Averill's elder son Walter Wootton Averill followed his father into the
priesthood, attending St John's College in 1915, returning after service in
World War I to be priested in 1923. He was Archdeacon of Christchurch when
he died in 1955.
The Archbishop's younger son, Leslie Cecil Lloyd Averill, CMG, MC, Légion d'honneur, Citoyen d'honneur (Le Quesnoy), MB, CM, MD, (1897 - 1981) had an illustrious life and career as soldier, doctor, medical administrator and community leader. He had the rare distinction for a New Zealander of having a street and a school in Le Quesnoy named for his heroism during World War I. Data was extracted from Geoffrey W. Rice's detailed biography found in Volume 5 of the Biographical Dictionary of N.Z. Read the full article in the Biographical Dictionary OnLine:
click here to open the biography in a new window.