"From the moment William Fancourt arrived in the Parish one felt
that he had been there all his life; that he not only knew everyone in the
Parish, but he also knew all their joys and sorrows."
This comment by T.G. Kissling in his book on St Mary's well describes Dean
Fancourt, who has been described as a wonderful pastor. Gentle, quiet,
contemplative, he took the parish through the turbulent years of the Depression,
and the Second World War (1939 - 1945).
William Fancourt was the first Vicar of Parnell to be born in New Zealand,
and became the first Dean of Auckland. His father, The Revd Thomas Fancourt, had
been present when the foundation stone of St Mary's was laid in 1886.
Born in Wellington, he was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School before
proceeding to Cambridge University where he graduated M.A. He was ordained by
the Bishop of Liverpool 1905 while serving as a Curate in the Liverpool Parish.
He returned to New Zealand as Vicar of Island Bay in 1910, moved to St Thomas'
Church, Wellington in 1912, then became Vicar of All Saints Church, Palmerston
North until invited to St Mary's Cathedral Church in 1929. The Revd Fancourt was
made a Canon in 1931.
In 1937, when the office was created in the Diocese, William Fancourt became
the first Dean of Auckland. He held this post until his retirement on 21st
January 1946, when he moved to Taupo, where he died on 18th September
1951.