Father Francis Bernard Hutchison died on January 31st this year. His death was one of those that are said to be more frequently the lot of priests, and to be indeed in regard to them a tender mercy of God's Providence. His end was quite tragic in its suddenness, and was entirely unexpected by any, except perhaps himself. He had been as usual to Midhurst, whither he went every Monday to act as Confessor to a community of nuns. According to his practice he had himself also been to confession to the resident priest. As he was walking back to the station death struck him. He fell by the road side and within a few minutes died of syncope.
He was born February 20th, 1850. His father, William J.M. Hutchison was a clergyman of the Church of England, and was for a time curate of St Endellion in Cornwall. He became a Catholic when Francis was still an infant. Subsequently to his conversion he spent a good deal of time in Rome and was most devoted in his affectionate loyalty to Pope Pius IX and his successor, Leo XIII. To both of them he held the position of private chamberlain. Thus it came about that Francis in his early youth saw a good deal of Rome and of the Pope. I have little doubt that it was here under his father's influence, that there was implanted in him and developed that strong sense of loyal obedience to superiors which was so marked and edifying a characteristic of his whole life. He always openly professed it, and his conduct was always faithfully in keeping, with it. I have frequently heard him say that all he wanted was to be told plainly and precisely what the rule was or what the Superior wanted, and he was quite ready to obey. He seemed aggrieved by any vagueness in such matters, and did not appear to appreciate much a liberty that brought with it the burden of personal responsibility.
His father was, I believe, for a time, English tutor to the Prince Imperial of France, and it was during the consequent frequent sojourns in Paris and elsewhere abroad, that Fr Bernard acquired a facility in speaking French which he preserved to the end. A considerable number of Belgian refugees were settled in Petersfield and the neighbourhood and attended the church there, and Fr Bernard used to address his mixed congregation in French as well as English.
He went to Ampleforth College in 1863, where he proved a plodding, painstaking and industrious scholar rather than a brilliant. His efforts, however, secured him a good place in his class, nearly always first or second. A result of his early Roman associations was his earnest desire to join the Papal Zouaves at the time when Victor Emmanuel was threatening the Papal States. He did not eventually enlist because it would have seriously interfered with the course of his entrance into the Order.
His simple profession took place in September, 1870, and thence he pursued the beaten track till he was ordained priest on February 24th, 1877, by Bishop Cornthwaite. In October of the same year he left Ampleforth for the Mission, beginning his work at Ormskirk, whence after a few months he was transferred to Seel Street, Liverpool. There under Fr Anderson he laboured for three years. During this time his zeal and his pleasant courteous manner, reinforced no doubt by his fine handsome appearance, attracted many and stimulated their religious devotion. He also made at this time many friends whose esteem and affection he held to the end.
The next three years were divided between Cleator and Workington, where he served as assistant priest. Then in September, 1884, he became incumbent of Harrington. Here he enlarged the schools and built the Presbytery. The parish itself was quite plainly unable to provide the funds for these undertakings. Fr Hutchison therefore set to work with infinite pains and perseverance to raise the money from elsewhere. One of his means for doing this was 'Drawings'; another was begging letters, if I may use so coarse a term, for so refined a product. The letters were most characteristic of the man, studied in their kind courtesy and persuasiveness. He would never dream of suggesting a contribution until he had displayed the most touching solicitude for the welfare of the person to whom he was writing, his health, his family, and al his affairs. Though he was often joked about these literary efforts, they were, as he used to retort, very effective, and enabled him to pay off the greater part of the debt incurred. Unfortunately his long and close application to this work, carried on mostly after nightfall, permanently injured his sight.
After about seven years' work at Harrington he went to Maryport for a few months, and then at the end of 1891 to Workington. Here, he considered, and quite justly, his chief work was accomplished. In succeeding Abbot Clifton he came to a task of very considerable difficulty. The Abbot had been there forty years and from a young man had become an old one, at the same time that the parish from a very small, almost family affair, had become large. Neither seemed to have consciously realised the changes that had taken place. The people were good and willing enough, but required to be imbued with the importance of regular and organised activity and of parochial economics. Father Hutchison's best characteristics here came into full operation. These were an admirable manliness and freedom from human respect, and a deep-rooted devotion to duty, and love of order. These showed themselves in many ways. If anything had to be said or done by which odium might be incurred, he would always undertake it himself rather than leave it, as sometimes he might have done, to his assistants. Whatever was a rule or regulation had to be enforced and observed, no matter who it might be that was inclined to be recalcitrant. He could not understand and certainly did not appreciate that human weakness that makes some dearly love a little irregularity and regard a certain lack of precision as a luxury so great as to be a necessary of life. The same firmness, always courteous, pervaded all his dealings with his parishioners. This was an excellent thing for Workington in those days, and just what was wanted. The good results were soon visible in the development and progress of the parish affairs both spiritual and temporal. Fr Hutchison had very soon to undertake the enlargement of the existing school. Later on he built fine large schools in another part of the town. These served also as a chapel of ease. He completed the sanctuary of the church by putting up a very beautiful reredos.
Eleven years of strenuous work began to tell upon his strength, and he went back to Ampleforth, where he acted as Guest-Master for about a year. Then after a short period at Leyland, near Preston, he went finally to Petersfield in Hampshire, at the end of 1904. During his eleven years here he endeared himself to many and was esteemed by all who knew him.
He was throughout his life placid in temper and orderly in all his ways. His duties were his first thought. I never knew him to allow the call of recreation or pleasure to supersede them or divert them from their appointed course. His manner, somewhat elaborate for these days, was always courteous and kind. Developed by careful early training it was quite sincere and had its root in consideration for others, and in a desire to give pleasure and diffuse happiness where he could. He had a happy gift of interesting himself in the joys and sorrows and, pursuits of others which was very engaging and won for him many attached and admiring friends. His physical advantages, for he was a fine handsome man, no doubt added to his attractiveness. Withal he was genuinely simple and frankly conscious of his own limitations. In his way he was very manly and singularly free from self-indulgence.
From what I have heard I should think that he had some premonition that his death would be sudden, and this is confirmed by his constant practice, so characteristic of him, when I was with him at Workington. Before starting for his holidays or any considerable journey, he would hand me the more important keys, tell me where this, that and the other were to be found, and assure me that his books were all in order and up to date. 'So that,' he would say, 'if I am smashed up or anything happens to me all is in order and there will be no trouble.' I have no doubt his own house, the sanctuary of his own soul, was just as well ordered. In his religious practices and his simple piety he seemed just as regular and painstaking and methodical as in other things. If order is, as it is said to be, Heavens first law, assuredly he will be very much at home there. R.I.P.
FRANCIS BERNARD HUTCHISON 31 January 1916
1850 20 Feb Born Plymouth Son of William JM Hutchison, sometime Curate of St Endellion Cornwall, Private Chamberlain to Pius IX & Leo XIII, converted 1851
Educ Ampleforth
1869 28 Sep Took habit Belmont
1870 30 Sep Simply professed
1872 29 Jun Minor Orders Belmont
1873 9 Dec Solemn Vows Ampleforth
1874 8 Mar Subdeacon Ampleforth Bishop Cornthwaite 1875
18 Sep Deacon " " "
1877 24 Feb Priest " " "
Oct Assistant Ormskirk
1878 Jun Seel St
1881 Jun Cleator
1882 Mar Workington
1884 Sep Incumbent Harrington
1891 Apr " Maryport
Dec " Workington
1903 14 Feb Ampleforth
1904 19 Jan Incumbent Leyland
5 Nov Petersfield
1916 31 Jan (Monday) died suddenly at Midhurst
Had been to the convent there & on duty & was
walking to the station to return to Petersfield,
when he fell dead, about 2.30 p.m.
3 Feb Funeral & buried at Petersfield
Built the presbytery & enlarged the school chapel at
Harrington. Enlarged St Michael's & built St Patrick's
schools Workington