Henry Archdall LANGLEY

LANGLEY, HENRY ARCHDALL (b. Ballyduff, Ireland, 15 Oct 1840; d. Bendigo, Vic, 5 Aug 1906). Anglican clergyman and first bp of Bendigo.

Henry Archdall was the second son of Henry Langley of Ballyduff, Waterford. His parents emigrated to Sydney in 1853, where Henry worked in a merchant's office for six years. The experience he gained there later assisted him in church administration. During these years he was an active member of St Barnabas' church, was in charge of the Sunday school, and preached in the open air.

In 1860 he was accepted as a candidate for the ministry by Bp Barker (q.v.), who appointed him as a lay reader in charge of the Kurrajong district. After training at Moore College, he was ordained deacon 11 June 1865 and priest 27 May 1866. He was curate at All Saints', Bathurst 1865-7, incumbent of Holy Trinity, Orange 1867-9 and curate of St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney 1870. He had an outstanding ministry at St Mary's, Balmain from 1870-5, and, at the express wish of Dean Cowper, became locum tenens of the cathedral during the Dean's absence on leave in England in 1876. His ministry during that year was marked by a large increase in the attendance of men. A number of active laymen in Sydney in later years dated the commencement of their spiritual lives from that time of his ministry among them. His last appointment in NSW was as the incumbent of St Matthew's, Windsor 1877-8. Throughout his ministry he was a noted leader of parish missions, which became popular among Anglican clergy because of his success with them.

Langley served as vicar of St Matthew's Prahran, in Melbourne, 1878-90, where he worked with great acceptance. The Saturday night prayer meetings which he started, he said were the most important parish meetings outside the worship services on Sundays. Church attendances greatly improved, the large debt on the newly-built church was liquidated, and a further sum was raised to build a much needed chancel. New work was commenced at the eastern end of the parish, which later became the separate district of St Alban's, Armadale. Young men were allowed to take part in the church services. Langley encouraged those he thought to be suitable to offer themselves for the ministry. He conducted open-air services and conventions for the deepening of spiritual life. The whole parish came alive.

Langley was appointed archdeacon of Gippsland, 1890-95. He constantly visited the scattered bush churches in communities and towns in eastern Victoria, encouraging struggling congregations and helping the clergy and lay readers in need. Despite the many demands made on him, he was still asked to be an evangelistic speaker in many places throughout the colony. Bp F F Goe (q.v.) then appointed him to the important position of archdeacon of Melbourne and Geelong, 1894 until 1902. He was the senior archdeacon responsible for the administration of the extensive diocese of Melbourne, a member of the Council of the Diocese, the Cathedral Chapter, and the councils of a number of diocesan and educational institutions. He was still known not only as a capable and hardworking administrator but also as a deeply spiritual person and a keen evangelist.

Chosen to be the first bishop of the newly-formed diocese of Bendigo, Langley was consecrated in St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, on 24 Feb 1902 and enthroned at All Saints' Pro-Cathedral on 5 March 1902. He laid firm foundations for the diocese, putting the kingdom of God first at all times, and endeavouring by every means possible to encourage all church people to full commitment to the claims of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. He emphasised personal evangelism, stressed the importance of Sunday school teaching, confirmation preparation and teaching of the Bible in state schools. He made Girton College into a church school and encouraged the formation of deaconess' high schools. He gave much thought and time to the training of men for the sacred ministry and for the supply of clergy and lay readers to provide adequate care for every district in his diocese. He was a keen supporter of missionary work, especially CMS and BFBS. He was well versed in Anglican church policy and procedure, being well suited to starting a new diocese.

The solid foundations which Bp Langley was laying were brought to a sudden end when he died of a stroke. At the impressive funeral which took place on Tuesday 7 Aug at All Saints' Pro-Cathedral in the presence of a large concourse of people, Abp Lowther Clarke spoke of his life: 'in what simple, unfaltering faith it was lived! The theme of his preaching was ever the same, viz. the story of Jesus and his love'. He was buried in the Bendigo General Cemetery where a large obelisk now marks his grave. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Mary, a constant companion and help throughout the whole of his ministry and their family. He was succeeded by his elder brother, John Douse Langley (q.v.), who became the second bishop of Bendigo.

Bendigo Diocesan Records; K Cole, A History of the Diocese of Bendigo, 1902-1976 (Bendigo, 1991)

KEITH COLE