HENRY KING

Father Henry King died in the St John of God Hospital at Scorton on 27 April, 1989, at the age of 84. His health had been failing for the previous four years and his death was very peaceful.

Philip King was born in Edgbaston in November 1904, the second eldest child of George and Agnes King in a family of seven. Their house was only a few hundred yards from the Oratory and he was christened Philip after St Philip Neri, founder of the Congregation of the Oratorians to whom he had a great devotion all his life. During his early years he was much influenced by the saintly Oratorian Fr Francis Morgan and the seeds of his eventual vocation to the monastic life were sown during these years. Of his brothers and sisters he was closest to Edmund the next younger brother, and the two of them developed a love of cricket which they never lost. By frequent visits to their county ground and by seizing every opportunity to play, both boys developed considerable skills at the game. Edmund later played for Warwickshire, became Chairman of the County Club and an influential member of the T.C.C.B. Philip was to use his gifts at Gilling when coaching the boys there.

On leaving school in 1924 he was clothed as a novice, taking the name Henry in memory of Cardinal Newman and he was simply professed the following year. He went up to St Benet's Hall Oxford to read English, he was ordained priest in 1933 and a year later he was posted to Gilling Castle. The Headmaster was Father Maurus Powell and the school was flourishing. Father Henry soon showed the qualities which were to be so prominent throughout his long life, his kindness and sensitivity, his courtesy and courage, and his lively, debonair character which made him the friend of so many boys. As well as with the cricketers he was equally popular when taking the boys 'cubbing' at the lakes and in the woods, organising picnics, bird nesting or just playing 'Pooh sticks' in the brook. He had a ready, quick imagination and a delightful sense of humour so that he had a great ability to tell good stories. He always talked with the boys and never at them, and his gentle, humerous character made him approachable and helpful in every difficulty. His love of music, and of singing especially, ensured hours of fun and laughter; many of his ditties had been composed by himself and he always seemed to know the latest songs and hits, to the delight of the boys. He left his mark on Gilling and the many generations of boys who passed through the school during his eighteen years there.

In 1952 Abbot Byrne sent him to St Austin's Grassendale as assistant priest to Father Richard Wright who had just himself been appointed parish priest. He was to remain in that parish for thirty four years, eleven of them as parish priest. The change from guardian and mentor of small boys to the adult world of parish life and all its demands could not have been easy but the many parishioners today who remember him in that year bear witness to the impact he made right from the beginning, and of the support which he gave to Father Richard with whom he made the ideal team. It was the grace of God which inspired his pastoral zeal, shining through his work and relationships with all who came to him for help. The same qualities that had endeared him to the boys at Gilling were to be employed for the men and women and especially the children in the parish. The parish registers testify to his total commitment which he had for bringing the sacraments to all who needed them and when he officiated at baptisms, weddings or funerals he almost always followed up with a visit, formal or informal, to the party, family gathering or reception afterwards. Invariably he brought to these gatherings a message of joy, celebration, comfort and hope, and usually, for good measure, a few bars of Gilbert and Sullivan or an 'alleluia'. He never missed an opportunity to visit a sick person, or a bereaved family, at whatever hour of day or night he might be called. His familiar figure passing along one of the roads, often late at night, could be seen either on his ancient push-bike or more often on his beloved moped, or just on foot. On one such occasion, he called late at night on a young couple who had recently been married just to share his happiness with them. They had retired to bed but on being admitted to the front door he went upstairs, sat on their bed and just sung to them.

On the death of Father Richard in February, 1969, he was appointed parish priest, an appointment which he would have preferred not to have but which he accepted willingly, and his contribution to the parish was immense. Under his quiet care, the school continued to expand, the parish centre at Chaloner Hall was established and the work of the parochial societies fostered and encouraged. But perhaps his greatest achievement lay in the patient, careful, sympathetic and optimistic way in which he introduced the parish to the changes brought about in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. For week after week, with patience and understanding, calming the fears of some, measuring the doubts of others, raising the hopes of all, he taught the parish to accept and then to welcome them. He had a special love for the children in St Austin's Primary school. Just as he urged his adult congregations to meditate on Jesus, the Eucharist and Our Lady, so the abiding theme at the daily school Masses was 'Be kind'. He had a wonderful knack of gripping their attention when he told them about the saint of the day or when highlighting the message of the day's gospel. He delighted in the concerts, plays, musical evenings and children's parties, always ready to take his part and to sing a few songs. He wrote numerous poems and spiritual thoughts, many of them still the treasured possessions of those families for whom he wrote them.

By 1980 age had taken its toll of his energy and he begged Abbot Ambrose to allow him to step down from his responsibilities as parish priest but to carry on helping in the parish. During those next six years, he continued to serve the parish in every possible way, always willing to do whatever was asked of him. In 1983 he celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Priesthood at an outdoor Mass presided over by Archbishop Worlock. In 1985 his health was deteriorating and he had to give up the use of scooter, a step which was a bitter disappointment to him. The following year he returned to Ampleforth Abbey where he was looked after by his brethren and where his courtesy was always in evidence. After his death, he was buried in the monastic vault in the Monks' Wood and his funeral was attended by two coachloads of parishioners. Appropriately it was a glorious Spring day. The sadness of his passing was mingled with joy as they sung the Lourdes hymn, his favourite, around his grave. May he rest in peace.

Details from the Abbey Necrology

DOM PHILIP HENRY KING            27 Apr 1989
               
1904    7 Nov       born Birmingham
               ed  Ampleforth
1923   30 Oct       Habit          Abbot Smith
1925    1 Jan       Simple Vows    Abbot Matthews
1928    1 Jan       Renewed Simple Vows      Abbot Matthews
1928   23 Sept      Solemn Vows    Abbot Matthews
1931   19 Jul       Sub-deacon     Bishop Vaughan of Menevia
1932   24 Jul       Deacon         Bishop Shine
1933   23 Jul       Priest         Bishop Shine
1926-30             St.Benet's Hall  Classical Mods & Groups
1930-33             Oxford  Theology
1934      Sept      Gilling Castle - Assistant Master
1952      Sept      Grassendale - Assistant
1969      Aug       Grassendale - PP
1980   21 Mar       Grassendale - Assistant
1986      Jul       Returned to Abbey
1989   27 Apr       died at St. John of God Hospital  Scorton
               Buried at Ampleforth