14 Facts About Alfred Averill

Alfred Walter Averill was the second Anglican Archbishop of New Zealand, from 1925 to 1940.

Alfred Averill was the fifth Anglican Bishop of Auckland whose episcopate spanned a 25-year period during the first half of the 20th century.

Alfred Averill rowed for his College and got his colours for playing both rugby and association football.

Alfred Averill graduated in 1887, then he attended the Ely Theological College.

Alfred Averill was made deacon in St Paul's Cathedral by Frederick Temple, Bishop of London, on the Fourth Sunday in Advent 1888; and ordained priest on 22 December 1889 in London; before embarking on an ecclesiastical career with a curacy at St George's, Hanover Square.

Alfred Averill married Mary Weir on 30 November 1893 at Christ Church Lancaster Gate, London.

Alfred Averill supported the creation of the bishopric of Aotearoa in 1928, which resulted in the appointment of Frederick Bennett as the Bishop of Aotearoa and the Spiritual Leader of the Maori people.

Alfred Averill engaged in dialogue with Bishop James Liston of the Roman Catholic Church and the ministers of the Presbyterian and non-episcopal Churches.

Alfred Averill was cremated and then interred at Purewa Cemetery in the Auckland suburb of Meadowbank.

Alfred Averill supported the St John Ambulance Association and Brigade, the New Zealand Red Cross, serving as a vice-president of the Auckland Branch.

Alfred Averill was the first honorary member of the Rotary Club of Auckland.

Alfred Averill supported the Bible in State Schools League of New Zealand, the New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children, the Royal Society of St George and the Royal Empire Society.

Alfred Averill was made an honorary doctor of divinity of Oxford University, a sub-prelate of the Order of St John, and an episcopal canon of St George's Collegiate Church, Jerusalem.

Alfred Averill later became a prominent medical administrator and community leader in Christchurch.