Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
VISIT OF MR. P. HOPE

Gloucester Presbyterian Charge has been without a settled minister since Rev. Alexander left some 18 months ago. The Presbytery and office-bearers of the Church have invited Rev. Percival Hope, B.A., organiser for the Sustentation Fund in the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales to visit the Gloucester district with the object of re-organising the charge. Mr. Hope began his ministry in 1906 in the charge of Cooma and West Monaro. In 1908 he was appointed by the General Assembly to raise funds for the endowment of a Professorship in the Theological Hall, Sydney, for the training of students for the ministry. The capital sum required was £18,000. Mr. Hope's canvas for funds was so successful that in 18 months £20,000 was raised, £2,000 of which was used to endow a lectureship in elocution. It was on that tour that . Mr. Hope learned how generous Scotsmen can be in support of their Church. In 1910 Mr. Hope was called to Kirklands-Campbell Town, in Tasmania. In 1912 he was elected Moderator of the Church in Tasmania. In 1916 he joined the A.I.F. was was padre in France to the 5th Brigade, and attached to the 20th Battalion. Some of the 'Diggers' in this district may have visited the coffee staff run by the Padrein Menin Road, not far from Hell Fire Corner. In 1921 Mr. Hope became Minister of the Presbyterian Church, Lithgow. Here during his ministry the Hoskins' Memorial Church was erected. It was the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hoskins in memory of three children who had died, and is a beautiful edifice. Situated in 3 1/2 acres of well-kept grounds with neat lawns and gardens the church has a setting for its fine architecture. It cost £60,000 and the entire cost of building and furnishing was borne by the Hoskins family.The pipe organ cost over £3000, and the rich stained glass windows are beautiful works of art. The church attracts many visitors from different parts of the State. Mr. Hope, after '12 years' ministry in Lithgow, resigned and took a year's holiday. He then accepted his present official position. As organiser he has recently visited Walgett, Mid-Clarence, Moruya, Hornsby, Nambucca River, Coonamble and Stroud, all of which are now in full status as charges with ministers. It is expected that as the result of his visit to Gloucester the Presbyterians of the district will cooperate and take such steps as will result in the settlement of their own minister in the charge.

The Gloucester Advocate Tuesday 17 March 1936 page 3