Biography

William Barrett was born in Sydney, New South Wales in 1893, the son of William Barrett, a carpenter, and Alice Matilda Rothwell. He was able to matriculate and graduated M.A. and Th.L. with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney in 1916. In the same year he was ordained deacon and appointed assistant curate of St. John’s Church, Launceston. In 1917 at St. David’s Cathedral, Hobart, he was ordained priest and on 2^nd January 1918. he married Ada Genders at St. John’s Church.

Ada Barrett was born in Adelaide, South Australia, the daughter of Joseph Charles Genders and Albina Louisa Perry. Her parents moved to Launceston and were active members of St. John’s parish. At the time of her marriage Ada was an actively involved with the Church Missionary Society and a volunteer staff member.

Shortly after their marriage the Barretts moved. The Reverend William being appointed successively to the parishes of Penguin, Queenstown and Cressy. He became warden of St. Wilfrid’s College, Cressy in 1924 and, when it closed in 1929, he became the first warden of the new Christ College, Hobart. In 1931 he became a member of the Diocesan Council, in 1934 a member of the General Synod and in 1935 was appointed Canon Chancellor of St. David’s Cathedral.

In 1942 Canon Barrett was appointed Archdeacon of Hobart, he was already a member of the Board of St. John’s Hospital, a trustee of the Church Missionary Society and, since 1941, warden of the Senate of the University of Tasmania.

The 1950s was a period of growth in the Church, so much so that, in 1955, William Barrett was consecrated bishop and appointed Assistant Bishop of Tasmania, residing in Launceston. Bishop Barrett took up his new task with enthusiasm as did his wife, who was an equal partner in the work. The couple was childless, their only son having died in infancy. They were respected, by all and loved by many.

Ada Lilian Barrett died early in 1966 and Bishop Barrett died three months later, aged 73 years. Their ashes were placed within the wall of the sanctuary of St. John’s Church, with a plaque to mark the place. It is inscribed as follows:
IN MEMORY OF ADA LILIAN BARRETT
d. 10TH FEBRUARY 1966
WILLIAM ROTHWELL BARRETT BISHOP,
d. 3RD MAY 1966
WHOSE ASHES ARE DEPOSITED IN THIS SANCTUARY