Frederick Augustus HAGENAUER

HAGENAUER, FREDERICK AUGUSTUS (b. East Gippsland, Vic, 1875; d. Bairnsdale, Vic, 14 July 1957). Presbyterian minister.

Hagenauer, educated at Geelong College, the University of Melbourne (MA) and Ormond College, was ordained to the Yarram charge 19 Apr 1900, and transferred to Castelmaine 23 Oct 1907. In 1916 his throat was pierced by a metal spike as he was changing the gas lamps in his church. This prevented him acting as a chaplain in the forces and contributed to his resignation of the charge 30 June 1921. He established an orchard in Elgar Road, Box Hill (now a reserve). He had been an amateur heavyweight champion in his youth and was not infrequently thanked by magistrates for his help in quelling street brawls. Regaining fitness for ministry in 1927, he was inducted to Cairns Memorial Church, East Melbourne 3 May 1928 and retired 30 Apr 1950. Although blind the last 14 years of his life he continued to preach aided by an excellent memory. He was survived by two daughters.

Hagenauer was a colourful personality and magnificent orator. A rough-hewn Calvinist, he was prominent in Assembly debates, a leader in opposition to the theology of Samuel Angus, and a fervent patriot.

F M Bradshaw, Rural Village to Urban Surge (Hawthorn, 1964) 97; Obituary in Presbyterian Life2 Aug 1957

ROWLAND S WARD