The Very Rev E J Pyke

 (Third Rector - At "The Martyrs" 1902 - )


(From 1921 Consecration Souvenir)


FATHER PYKE, the present Rector, (This was written during the life and ministry at the Martyrs of Fr Pyke) succeeded his uncle, the Very Rev. Canon Pyke, in 1902, and to-day has the happiness of seeing fulfilled the work commenced by his great predecessors. One sometimes hears it said that the priest cannot be a business man. They are those who have not met such priests as Father Pyke. He set himself to perform a great task, to clear the debt in order to pave the way for the church's consecration. When he took up the reins of office the debt amounted to over £7,000, while he was faced with the necessity of building the present Central School, the cost of which (£4,000) has also been defrayed. Early each January he has announced to the congregation the amount of debt removed and the amount still outstanding. It was after one of these occasions that a certain individual on hearing the result remarked, with his own peculiar embellishment, that Father Pyke was a financier. Unconsciously this individual summed up well Father Pyke's business capacity. On the occasions just referred to, the general question among the congregation was, " How has he done it ? " And many are, to-day, asking the same question. It has not been done by any particularly great effort, such as a bazaar, 'but by quiet, steady, indefatigable labour, joined with a zeal for the beauty of God's House, a zeal which has found realisation in the recent glorious re-decoration of the church, something akin to that love of the sanctuary which filled the soul of Solomon and produced the glories of the Temple.

The congregation will rejoice with Father Pyke and his clergy in this great consummation of their united efforts, while the events of this wonderful week will still further increase the love, homage, and esteem in which they hold their pastor. May he live long to continue his good work, and by his presence amongst us help and encourage the large number who look up to him for help and guidance.

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