Henry Hugh Girvan
Individual, P104
Biography
The Reverend H. Hugh Girvan, Th.L., Dip.C.C.A.CRector of St. John’s, 1970-1974
Revd Henry Hugh Girvan (1919 – 2002) was rector of St. John’s Launceston from 1970 to 1974. Born 6th May 1919 to David Girvan and Florence Olive Edwards, he spent some time after his ordination in Gippsland, then taught at Sydney Grammar School. He later studied at St. Augustine’s College, Cambridge. He was precentor at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne from 1954-1957 and again from 1961-1964. In 1964, he was appointed rector of St. Margaret’s Church, Mildura. He was married with 3 children by that time. His death is commemorated in the yearly prayer calendar of St. Paul’s Church, Geelong West, and appears to have been 13th May 2002, possibly in that area, although his name also comes up in a similar way at St. George’s Anglican Church, East Ivanhoe, for 17th May 2002. The date of the portrait on this page is unknown. Revd. Alfred Reynolds, who made it, was a locum at St. John’s in the 1980s and perhaps served there more than once? Reynolds’ drawing of the church building in the 1980s is also part of this collection.
Our New Rector – St. John’s Parish Messenger, Feb. 1971
The Revd Hugh Girvan was ordained deacon in 1950 and priest in 1951 by the Bishop of Gippsland, the Right Revd. Donald Burns Blackwood. He holds the Licentiate of the Australian College of Theology; the Diploma of The Central College of the Anglican Communion (St Augustine’s Canterbury ) and in 1964 was appointed a Serving Brother of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. Prior to ordination he was a teacher at Sydney Grammar School, and during World War II, served with the army.
After ordination he was successively Deacon in Charge St John’s Neerim South, Assistant Minister St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, Precentor and Minor Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne, Vicar of St. Faith’s Burwood, Rector of St. Margaret’s Mildura, and Archdeacon of Mildura; Canon-Residentiary of Christ Church Cathedral St Arnaud and Archdeacon of St Arnaud.
As well as serving on diocesan committees he has been an army chaplain, provincial representative of the Royal School of Church Music, chairman of the Victorian Anglican Scout and Guide Council: Hon. clerical treasurer of the Victorian Division of Inter-Church Aid: an Anglican Representative on the Victorian Council of Churches; member of the Archbishop’s Ecumenical Council and of the Church Missionary Society. From 1957-64 he appeared regularly on the ABC religious TV programmes.
Mrs Girvan has been Diocesan President (St Arnaud) of the Girls’ Friendly Society. The family consists of Craig, Richard, Helen and Alison.
The following additional information was obtained from internet research:
The Revd. Hugh Girvan was listed in the Victorian Government Gazette as a registered clergyman in 1954, located at Sale in the diocese of Gippsland. While serving at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, he had the honour of carrying the archbishop’s crook as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh left the cathedral. See http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50582447
He was precentor of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, from 1954 to 1957 and again from 1961 to 1964. He served at St. Margaret’s, Mildura, from 1964 to 1967 before moving on to St. Arnaud.
From 1977 to 1983, he served as vicar of Christ Church, Geelong.
In the 8th May 2016 newsletter of St. Paul’s, Geelong, he is mentioned in “Prayers for the Faithful Departed” as having died on 17th May 2002. He is similarly mentioned in the newsletter of St. George’s, East Ivanhoe, 17th May, 2015.