Harrington Clare LEES

LEES, HARRINGTON CLARE (b. Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancs, England, 17 Mar 1870, d. Melbourne, Vic, 10 Jan 1929). Anglican abp of Melbourne.

Lees was educated at Leys School Cambridge (under Dr W P Moulton), St John's College Cambridge (BA 1892, MA 1896, DD jure dig 1921) and Ridley Hall (under Handley Moule). The influence of Moulton and Moule was later seen in his familiarity with the Greek NT and his warm evangelical piety.

He was ordained deacon in 1893 and priest in 1894 by the bp of Oxford. Following curacies at Reading (1893-95) and Childwell, Lancs (1897-1900), and a chaplaincy at Turin (1895-97), he was successively vicar of Kenilworth (1900-07), Beckenham (1907-19) and Swansea (1919-21). In addition to his parochial duties he wrote a number of theological books and pamphlets and contributed to Hasting's Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels. Lees was also a Keswick speaker, and in 1921 Lecturer in Pastoral Theology at Durham University.

His ability brought him to the notice of churchmen in Victoria and in 1919 he was invited to succeed J D Langley (q.v.) as bp of Bendigo. He declined as he had just moved to Swansea, but he accepted the offer of Melbourne in 1920 and was consecrated in St Paul's Cathedral, London on 15 Feb 1921.

Lees was a popular abp and something of a contrast to his dour, abrasive predecessor H Lowther Clarke. Lees was an evangelical, but with broad sympathies. On the day of his arrival in Melbourne he said, 'I am neither High nor Low, but a friend to all churches and churchmen'. In such a pluralist diocese as Melbourne he had little choice. He did however encourage evangelicals when he could. He was a staunch supporter of CMS, and president of the Victorian branch; he gave recognition to Ridley College after the bitter opposition it had experienced from Lowther Clarke; and in 1926 he supported the campaign of the English evangelist Gipsy Smith and invited him to preach in the cathedral.

Lees was an excellent preacher. He kept up with his reading, used his Greek text, and prepared his sermons carefully. He had an excellent memory and spoke only from a brief outline. The cathedral was packed when he preached at evensong. His easy style, clear diction and free and confident delivery made him an ideal broadcaster and from 1925 onwards he regularly spoke on the radio. Lees was a very good administrator. The completion of the spires of St Paul's was a symbol of his dislike of incompleteness. He was a sensitive chairman of synod and successfully presided over the 1925 Melbourne Church Congress. During his time the Mission of St James and St John, and the Church of England kindergarten system were expanded.

Lees was a warm outgoing pastor. His attractive personality, sincerity, energy and enthusiasm were appreciated by clergy and laity alike. He developed excellent relations with other churches, government and business. A very sociable man, he was a foundation member of the Old Melburnians Masonic Lodge. He was held in high esteem in the community and in a real sense was abp of Melbourne, not just of the Church of England.

He m. Winifred May Cranswick on 9 Dec 1895 (d. Jan 1927), and Joanna Mary Linnell in April 1928. He had no children. His early death from coronary vascular failure was brought on by overwork. After an impressive service at St Paul's, London, he was cremated and his ashes interred in the Lady Chapel of Rochester Cathedral.

Church of England Messenger 25 Jan 1929; J D McKie, Four Archbishops of Melbourne, Second Sydney Smith Memorial Lecture (Anglican Historical Society, Diocese of Melbourne 1983)

DARRELL PAPROTH