Page 8 - L&T Rev Fessey

Redditch Heritage Rev. G. F. Fessey

Retirement of Rev. G. F. Fessey

As can be seen from the previous reports, one man played an important role in the growth
and activities of the church. However, 1884 saw the retirement of Mr Fessey, at the age
of seventy-eight, after serving the church as perpetual curate and first vicar for more
than forty-two years. He preached his last sermon in July, 1884, taking as his text I
Corinthians, Chap. 2, v. 2, "I determined not to know anything among you, save Christ
and Him crucified". There were 1,500 people, of all denominations, in the church to hear
him. Among the many presents he received was a silver salver, with a purse containing
140 new sovereigns and an illuminated address, from his parishioners. The address
praised Mr Fessey's part in the building of two churches and a school, and mentioned
also the clothing club he had founded. It laid stress on the Christian unity of the
congregation during his incumbency, and there is certainly no record in Redditch at that
time of any of the controversies which disturbed the church after the Oxford Movement
of the 'fifties. There can be no doubt of the very great importance of Fessey's contribution
to the growth of the church in Redditch. And not only to the growth of the church; the
Parish magazine of his last year shows the breadth of his interests. It draws the attention
of his parishioners to the Literary and Scientific Institute, the library, the horticultural
society and many other useful societies whose work he encouraged. The address ends
"We also recall with pleasure that your ready sympathy has been extended to every
institution and project conceived in the interest of the town with which your name has
been so long associated, and we venture to assure you that it is impossible that anyone
could relinquish a life's work carrying with him deeper affection and more hearty good
wishes than those that will accompany you in your well earned retirement, and which
proceed alike from all classes, young and old, rich and poor, among your parishioners
and neighbours."

Berrow’s Worcester Journal – Saturday 19th January 1884

Page: 7