VICAR AND FRIEND

PASSING OF CANON PERRY,
GWINEAR

LIFE OF PUBLIC SERVICE

The Established Church in Cornwall
has lost one of its oldest incumbents by
the death of Canon Arthur John Perry,
M.A.,  for the past 38 years vicar of St.
Gwinear, which occurred at St. Gwinear
Vicarage last Wednesday night, in his
84th year.   Canon Perry had been in fail-
ing health for several years, About
Easter, 1924, he had a serious illness, but
on slowly recovering he was’ able partially
to resume his parochial duties, with the
assistance of Rey. J. S. Upton as curate.
From that time up to November of fast
year, although suffering from failing eye-
sight and strength, he persist in
attending as far as he was able to his
ministrations, but towards the end of the
year he had another illness, to which he
finally succumbed.

The third son of the late Rev. John
Perry (a former vicar of Perranzabuloe),
the late Canon Perry was born at St.
Breage on June 30th, 1842, and was
educated at Sherborne School.   He
graduated B.A. at Oriel College, Oxford,
in 1864, and M.A. in 1871.   For two years
he was tutor at a school at Brighton, and
was ordained deacon to the curacy of
Plymstock, 1866-8.   He then removed to
the curacy of St. Mary the Virgin, Pen-
zance, 1868-74.   Subsequently for a short
time he helped his father at Perran-
zabuloe, after which he was presented
with the benefice of St. Feock, which he
retained until 1888. Since that time he
had been vicar of St. Gwinear.   In 1918
the Bishop of Truro presented him with
an Honorary Canon’s Stall (St. Buriena)
in Truro Cathedral.

The late vicar was greatly beloved by
all his parishioners and he took a keen
interest in everything pertaining to their
welfare, A low Churchman of the old
school, he was an ideal parson.   Of a
genial disposition, he maintained friendly
relationships with Nonconformists,
whose sorrow at his passing is as sincere
as that of his own flock.

For many years he was one of the repre-
sentatives of his parish on Redruth Rural
District Council and Board of Guardians,
retiring last year through advancing age
and failing health.   His visits to the
“ big house " were greatly appreciated by
the inmates, and his practical sympathy
for the poor was well known.   For a
number of years he was also a member
of Gwinear Parish Council.   He took a
keen interest in the affairs of Gwinear
Nursing Association, which he started,
and of which he was president.   Deceased
had also on two or three occasions been
president of Gwinear Agricultural
Association, and as long as his health
permitted he was a regular visitor
at the annual shows.   In addition to the
erection Of a mission room at Reawla,
during Canon Perry’s vicariate several
additions and improvements were made to
the beautiful old parish church.   As a
war memorial the handsome lych gate
was built, and quite recently a valuable
new organ was erected in the church.

Canon Perry married in 1880 at Ply-
mouth a daughter of the late Mr. T. L.
Patch, of the Indian Army.   Mrs. Perry
predeceased him by thirteen years.   He
leaves two sons, the Rev. T. F. Perry
(rector of Union Dale, Cape Colony), and
Mr. Arthur C. Perry, of Ipoh, Federated
Malay States, and two daughters Mrs.
Simmons, wife of the Rev. F. L. Simmons
(curate of St. John’s, Penzance), and Miss
S. Alice Perry, who resided with her
father.

The Funeral

The large and representative attend-
ance at the funeral on Saturday bore
striking testimony to the great esteem in
which the late vicar was held, all classes
and denominations being represented.
The interment took place in a quiet and
peaceful corner in the new churchyard
in which lie buried the remains of Mrs.
Perry.    St. Gwinear Church, where the
first part of the funeral service was held,
was crowded.   The coffin, which was
borne. from the house by the church.
wardens and sidesmen, was met at the
lych gate by the surpliced choir and the
following robed clergy: the Rev. J. S.
Upton (curate),   Canon S. Cooper (Chan-
cellor of Truro Cathedral),   Canons T. F.
Maddrell (vicar of Gulval),   and A. Adams
(vicar of Crowan),   the Revs. Dr. Sutton
(chaplain of St. Michael’s Mount),   F. R.
Carr (vicar of St. Mary’s, Penzance),
Vernon Shaw (vicar of St. John’s, Pen-
zance),   J. H. Humphrey   (vicar of St.
Paul’s, Penzance),   John Stona (vicar of
Sancreed),   A. H. Wright  (rector of
Phillack),   P. E. F. Berry (vicar of St
Elwyn, Hayle), H. A. Benaton (vicar of
Godolphin), H. E. Roberts (vicar of
Treslothan). A. Wills (vicar of Gwithian),
F. C. Eddy  (curate. of Treyenson), C.
White  (curate of Gulval), and Mr. F. W.
Trewhella (licensed lay reader, Gwinear).

As the funeral procession entered the
church the organist (Mr. A. J. Rule)
played “‘O Rest in the Lord,” and at the
close the Dead March in “Saul.” The
service Was impressively conducted by
the Revs. J. S. Upton and John Stona.
The hymns “ Nearer, my God to Thee,”
“On the Resurrection Morning,” and
“Abide with me” were sung, and the
proceedings terminated “with the Nunc
Dimittis.

In an address, the Rev. John Stona, who
mentioned that he had known the late
Cannon Perry for at least 53 years,
observed that Gwinear had established an
almost unique record in that it had only
had two vicars in 75 years—the late
Canon Rodd, who held the vicariate for
37 years, and Canon Perry, 38 years. Both
men were noted for their love of the
people. They possessed what was called
the pastoral soul—a great gift, which it
would be well if more of the clergy
possessed in the same degree.