Clergy who died in Office

Three of our clergy died in office whilst living at
Amblecote and are fittingly buried in our Churchyard.

John William Grier
Was the first incumbent of Holy Trinity and served for a period
of 24 years from 1842 until 1866. He died suddenly, after
 preaching at divine service on 28th of January, 1866 aged 56 years. 
His grave, which may be found on the right of the path from the
Lychgate to what is now the main entrance to the Church, is a
rather impressive memorial described as
"Horizontal rectangular stone base surmounted by a coffin shaped
monument with a lid in cruciform shape. Old English lettering."

The following inscriptions are to found around the grave.
The Revd. JOHN WILLIAM GRIER,
first incumbent of Amblecote who died
(to die is gain, Philli. 6 21v)
suddenly on Sunday Jany. 28th 1866
in the 56th year of his age.
Remember them who have spoken unto you the word of
God, whose faith follow. Heb 13th 7v.

In memory of
JANE, widow of the Revd. J. W. GRIER
Born 28th March 1806 died 31st Decr. 1894
Love is of God and everyone that loveth 
is begotten of God and knoweth God.

John Simon Boldero
By a really amazing coincidence the very next incumbent of Holy
Trinity also died whilst here. This was the Reverend John Simon
Boldero who served for an incredible 34 years from 1866-1900.
We have no idea of his age at the time of his death although his
wife when she died 22 years later was then aged 85 years.

The Boldero family grave consisting of three stone crosses can be
found almost in line with the vestry door on the south side of the
Church. The inscriptions read
MABEL AGNES BOLDERO
daughter
died January 21st 1890 aged 18
JOHN SIMON BOLDERO
Priest
Vicar of this parish
1863-1900
died January 4 1900
EMMA BOLDERO
wife
died January 25 1922
Aged 85

(Observant readers will notice that there is a  discrepancy between
the dates of Reverend Boldero's service on the monument and the
 dates in the Church records).

Bernard Thomas White-Jones
Was the fifth incumbent of Holy Trinity and served for a period
of just four years between 1908 and 1912  before his death at
the age of 35 years. His grave is directly outside the vestry door
next to the water tap.

The memorial takes the form of a Celtic cross on a plinth
and the inscription reads as follows
Of your charity
pray for the soul of
BERNARD THOMAS WHITE-JONES
Priest
entered into rest Dec. 12 1912
Aged 35 years
Jesu Mercy

© mjf 2009

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