Transcript

of

Rev. William Hope [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc. vol. 27, (1895) pp.36-37.

by

Maxwell Adams (Ed.).

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1910 Cullompton meeting. The Rev Hope’s early career was as a missionary in India for the Church Missionary Society. On return to England, in 1882 he was appointed Rector of All Hallows Church in Goldsmith Street, Exeter. Dating from the early 1300’s the tiny church gradually fell into disrepair and disuse, and despite several attempts at restoration, the ancient building was demolished in 1906, The Rev Hope was its last Rector.  Genuk provides a name index to Harbottle Reed’s article on the All Hallows Church history, with mention of Rev William Hope. Margaret Sullivan’s index to David Francis’ interesting book on Lost Churches, in the Discovering Exeter Series, No 7, also mentions Rev Hope and his several attempts at restoring All Hallows. The obituary, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers

The Rev. W. Hope was born at Foot's Cray, Kent. He was educated at the Church Missionary College, Islington, was ordained deacon in 1865 by the then Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Longley), and priest in 1866 by the Bishop of Victoria (for the Bishop of London). His first curacy was at Dunchurch, near Rugby, from 1865-6. In the latter year he went to India as a missionary for the Church Missionary Society, in Travancore and Cochin, until 1873. Mr. Hope was officiating domestic chaplain to the Bishop of Madras, 1873, and acting chaplain of Emmanuel Church, Madras, 1873-4.
On his return to this country he was, in 1874, appointed curate-in-charge of St. Leonard's Church, Exeter, and afterwards became assistant curate of Bradninch, 1876-82. The Dean and Chapter of Exeter, in 1882, presented Mr. Hope with the living of Allhallows, Goldsmith Street, Exeter. This has since absorbed the parishes of St. Pancras (1887) and St. Paul's (1894), the three parishes now being united in one benefice; while Allhallows Church was demolished in 1906.
Mr. Hope became a member of the Association in 1907. He twice filled the office of Sheriff's Chaplain. He was a Governor of the Episcopal Schools, and Hon. Secretary of the Exeter branch of the South American Missionary Society. He was also chaplain to the West of England Eye Infirmary from 1885 to 1892.