Biography

The Reverend F. E. Cassian Crotty, Th.L B.D, rector of St. John's Church, 1919 – 1921

Born in 1879 at Tananarive, Antananarivo, Madagascar, where his father, late Rev. E. C. Crotty, was a missionary, Francis Edward Cassian Crotty came as a child with his parents to Melbourne, where he was educated at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, followed by studies at Trinity College, Melbourne University. Upon graduation, he entered secular life, and served nine years as an officer of the Bank of New South Wales. During this time he was greatly drawn to church work, and was a Sunday school teacher. at Holy Trinity, Balaclava, under Canon Button, where he was trained as an honorary lay reader.
In 1903, when quite young, he took first class Th. A. in connection with the Australian College of Theology. In 1905 he took his Th.L. at the same college. Eight years later he entered for the intermediate divinity course of  Trinity College, Toronto, America, where he won a first class, and three years later, from the same University, he received his B.D. degree. Meanwhile he took a first class final at the Melbourne University, which won him his M.A. degree. He was ordained deacon in 1903, and his first curacy was under Canon Godby, at St, George's, Malvern, followed by a curacy of Holy Trinity, Kew. He was priested in 1906 by the Archbishop of Melbourne. He became lecturer in social science at St. John's College, Melbourne, in 1915; was made examining chaplain to the Bishop of Gippsland, 1917; and became co-editor of the 'Church of England Messenger' in 1913. He was also one of the examiners in connection with the Australian College of Theology, and a. member of the general and provincial synod. In the meantime, he served as rector of Newport, and afterwards of Broadmeadows. He then passed on to Cheltenham, which he changed for Moreland, before being called to St. John’s Launceston.
At the time of his calling to St. John’s, he was described in a newspaper article as “…a good, solid, thoughtful preacher, his addresses being exceptionally helpful, instructive, and inspiring. He has had great experience as a teacher, and is an expert in Sunday school work. He has already published some controversial pamphlets in reference to social questions. On the whole, he may be described as a brainy man, who has made rapid strides in every department of church life. Mrs. Crotty is a daughter of Mr. W. E. Morres, formerly registrar of the Diocese of Melbourne, and a granddaughter of Major French, an early colonist of Tasmania. The rector designate is a brother of the new Dean of Newcastle, who conducted a mission at St. John's a couple of years ago.”
He married Katie Cowper, fifth daughter of W E Morris of Melbourne, on 4^th June 1910 at Christ Church, South Yarra. At the time of his death (aged 61, 25^th May 1940), he was vicar of Christ Church, St Kilda. A death notice reported that he was the loving husband of Katie Cowper, and loved father of John (Western Australia), Clara (London), Kathleen (Mrs. J. Colbourn), Bernard (of A.I.F., Palestine), and Mary.
An article published in  The Argus,  Mon. 27^th May 1940, p2, gives some further detail of his life:
Canon Francis Edward Cassian Crotty, one of the canons of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and vicar of Christ Church, St. Kilda, died suddenly on Saturday night (25^th May 1940).
Born in 1879 at Madagascar, where his father, late Rev. E. C. Crotty, was a missionary, Canon Crotty came as a child with his parents to Melbourne, where he was educated at Trinity College, Melbourne University. Before his ordination he was employed by the Bank of New South Wales for nine years. Some of his earlier charges in the ministry were at St. George’s Malvern, Holy Trinity, Kew, Newport, Broadmeadows, Cheltenham, Moreland, St. John’s, Launceston, St. Luke’s, South Melbourne and Holy Trinity, East Melbourne. He became a canon of St. Paul’s in 1928. For a time, he was assistant editor of the Church of England “Messenger,” was Rural Dean of Melbourne East and Examining Chaplain to the Archbishop. He was also a lecturer to theological students at Ridley and Trinity colleges. His brother, Rt. Rev. Horace Crotty, formerly Bishop of Bathurst, was assistant Bishop to the Bishop of London.
Canon Crotty underwent an operation several weeks ago. Reference to Canon Crotty’s death was made by Archbishop Head at St. Paul’s Cathedral yesterday. The Church had lost one who was remembered for his service, his companionship, his friendliness and his learning, he said.
Canon Crotty’s death was noted in The Advocate Mon. 27^th May 1940, p2 as well:  At one time he was rector of St. John’s, Launceston, Tasmania. His brother, the Right Rev. Horace Crotty, formerly Bishop of Bathurst, is vicar of St. Anne’s, London. Dr. Crotty was the son of a minister, and his two sons are clergymen.

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