Rev. Canon Ogilvie
Rev. Canon Ogilvie
In July, 1885, Archdeacon Badnall placed his resignation in the Bishop’s hands, and after some negotiations with the Metropolitan, the Rev. Canon G. Ogilvie, was appointed rector of St. Paul’s Parish in Rondebosch in August, 1885. The attitude of the parishioners in regard to the Church of the Province at this time was one almost of repudiation. It was, however, solely a question of principle with the parishioners, for it is clear that the Bishop’s assistance was welcomed, and personally he was not only much esteemed, but held in the highest respect. In accepting the Bishop’s guidance in the appointment of a successor to Dr. Badnall, the parish clearly showed by resolution that it did not, in any way, prejudice its rights or privileges as an integral part of the Church of England, in accordance with the provisions of the 1845 Ordinance.Reference, indeed, was made to the resolutions passed on 14th May, 1883, wherein exception was taken to the separatist tendency, as adopted by the Synod of January, 1883; and the meeting expressed its protest against the constitution and action of the Church of the Province so long as the Province “remains in a state of separation from the Church of England.” As will be realised there was in this action a considerable degree of misconception of the true position; but it is not proposed here to enter into that question.
The Rev. Canon Ogilvie, who was a distinguished educationist, became Rector of St. Paul’s after twenty-four years’ service as Principal of the Diocesan College. Prior to that important charge he had, at the request of Bishop Gray, assisted in the founding of St. George’s Grammar School, of which he was the first head; and, in addition he was for some years Precentor of St. George’s Cathedral. For a considerable period, too, he served on the Council of the University of the Cape of Good Hope, and ultimately held office as Vice-Chancellor (1895-97), his work in that sphere being subsequently recognised by the con-ferment in 1906 of the degree of D.Litt. Canon Ogilvie brought to his new duties the wisdom born of a rich experience, for beyond the wide range of work just referred to, we find that, before coming to South Africa, he was headmaster of the Grammar School at Buenos Aires and assistant chaplain there. in his work in the parish he was ably assisted by Mrs. Ogilvie (nee Ellen Anderson), to whom he was married on 21st September, 1885. They lived at The Grange, Sandown Road.
Reference has already been made to the liquidation of the debt on St. Paul’s Church, which by 1896 had been reduced to £1,145, mainly through the efforts of the work party conducted by Mrs. Ogilvie, and was finally disposed of by the munificent bequest of Mr. W. G. Anderson, who in his lifetime resided at Erinville. Fortunately Mr. Anderson’s association with Rondebosch has been permanently commemorated by the beautifully carved pulpit in St. Paul’s Church, which was a gift by his children as a memorial of their father.
The Anderson family is also recalled by the font in St. Paul’s, which was gifted to the church in 1892 by Mr. W. Anderson, of London, in memory of his wife, Maria Deane Anderson, daughter of Mr. W. G. Anderson. Another valuable gift to St. Paul’s about this time as the handsome brass lectern, donated by Mrs. Pigot Moodie, who in those days resided at Westbrooke, now the summer residence of the Governor-General.
It was during this period, too (in 1894), that increased accommodation at the Mission Chapel as provided by the rector, at a personal cost to himself of £150. Active steps were taken in 1899 to collect funds for the further enlargement of the Chapel. By May, 1901, £186 was available for the purpose. The gradual development of the residential area on the Camp Ground had made this work desirable, although it is clear that the existence of two churches within three-quarters of a mile of each other tends to exercise a disintegrating effect on the parish. The further extension of the Mission Chapel was not carried out till 1903.
From the parish records there is evidence to show that during Canon Ogilvie’s rectorship the following acted as assistant clergy; The Rev. R. W. Doyle, 1886-87; the Rev. G. H. R. Fisk, 1886-89; the Rev. C. H. Gill, 1887-90; the Rev. J. F. Stephenson, 1891-94; and the Rev. A. J. Rendle, 1894-1902. Further, at the close of 1895, the Rev. M. H. M. Wood, M.A., who had officiated as curate since 1891, resigned and took up duties as Chaplain to the Metropolitan. He was succeeded in the parish by the Rev. R. D. Machen, who assumed duty as assistant priest in February, 1896, and continued till 1901.
In 1896 an important event – one which occasioned considerable trouble to those immediately concerned – falls to be chronicled. A Bill was laid before Parliament, having for its object the disposal and alienation of certain of the more detached portions of the Glebe land granted in 1854 for the benefit of the Church. It was proposed to reserve the ground surrounding the Mission Chapel; and the remainder of the ground granted in 1854 – by far the greater area as compared with the portions proposed to be sold and reserved -was to be transferred in perpetuity to the Municipality, as a public recreation ground. It was also proposed to dispose of the ground granted in 1863 as a site for a parsonage, and with the proceeds to purchase or build a suitable rectory. A site was also to be granted for the Rondebosch Cottage Hospital. After passing all stages in the Lower House, the Bill was rejected in the Legislative Council; and a renewed effort in the following year met with the same fate. The schemes which were dependent on the passage of the Bill, of course, fell through, and the larger issue was reopened and settled in 1909.
The Rev. R. D. Machen left for England at Easter, in 1901. He had served as curate for five years, and on his departure was presented with a handsome testimonial, His place was filled by the appointment of the Rev. O. J. Hogarth, who, after five years’ strenuous and fruitful work, severed his connection with St. Paul’s at the beginning of 1906, when he was appointed Rector of Salt River. To him we owe the conception and first publication, in December, 1904, of St. Paul’s Record, a magazine which has proved to be of inestimable value to the parish. He was responsible, too, for the gymnasium, which at one time flourished in St. Paul’s schoolroom; and special mention must also be made of the project for the erection of an institute or parish hail, into which he threw his whole heart. Although appointed during Canon Ogilvie’s rectorship, Dr. Hogarth was for a longer period more closely identified with the Rev. A. J. Rendle, the sixth rector in the line.
On 21st January, 1902, after nearly seventeen years’ service, and when he was in his seventy-sixth year, Canon Ogilvie intimated to the Vestry his intention of handing to, the Archbishop his resignation of office, and shortly thereafter he relinquished the rectorship of Rondebosch. His services to the church and to education were held in high regard by the parishioners; and after a long life of nearly 89 years he passed to his rest on 1st May, 1915.
Image Source: National Archives Cape Town
Image Captions: The Very Reverend Canon G. Ogilvie,
M.A. D. Litt. 1885 – 1902
Source: St. Pauls Centenary 1834 – 1934