15 Facts About Christopher Chavasse

Christopher Chavasse competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, served in the First World War, and was later the Bishop of Rochester.

Christopher Chavasse was the elder of the two by 20 minutes.

Christopher and Noel Chavasse both attended Magdalen College School in Oxford followed by Liverpool College before progressing to Trinity College, Oxford, competing in rugby, lacrosse, and athletics.

Christopher Chavasse was ordained a priest on Trinity Sunday 1911, by his father the Bishop of Liverpool, at Liverpool Cathedral.

Christopher Chavasse served as rector of St Aldate's, Oxford from 1922 to 1928 and as rector of St Peter-le-Bailey, Oxford from 1927 to 1940.

Christopher Chavasse became the first master of St Peter's Hall, Oxford upon its founding in 1929, continuing the work of his father, who had died in 1928.

Christopher Chavasse was nominated Bishop of Rochester on 19 March 1940, consecrated on 25 April the same year, and served in that position until his resignation on 30 September 1960.

In 1943, Christopher Chavasse was chairman of the Archbishops' Commission on Evangelism which published the controversial report Towards the Conversion of England.

Christopher Chavasse gave his views on homosexuality informally to the Wolfenden Committee, disagreeing with the eventual proposal of the committee to allow same-sex relationships to be legal in private and arguing that "homosexual practice is alarmingly catching".

In 1951, Christopher Chavasse founded Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells with the school's main benefactress, Lady Elena Bennett.

Bennett Memorial is a Church of England school based within the Diocese of Rochester, having been founded while Christopher Chavasse served as the Bishop of Rochester.

Christopher Chavasse founded Rochester Theological College in 1959, which was intended for mature students.

Christopher Chavasse served briefly as an original trustee of St Peter's College upon its incorporation in 1961.

Christopher Chavasse married Beatrice Willink in July 1919, shortly after the First World War.

Christopher Chavasse was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the Republic of France "for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign".