A familiar figure has lately passed away from us. Familiar because of the long years he has been with us, but familiar too because though he did not catch the attention of the public, he had a way of mingling with his brethren, whispering a kind word here and a kind word there, which brought him into friendly relationship with many, and with many successive generations. His life's sketch is short and simple; shall I say as a monk's ought to be? He was born in 1842, a native of Somerset, educated at Ampleforth just as it was growing to its larger life with the building of the 'New College.' From Ampleforth he joined the novitiate at Belmont, near Hereford, in the year 1863. After his year's novitiate he made his profession as a monk of St Lawrence's. Passing through his ecclesiastical studies, and the lower steps of Holy Orders, he was ordained priest by Bishop Cornthwaite in 1872. He remained at Ampleforth for some years longer, useful in many ways, especially because of his artistic talent, and a peculiar neatness with pen and brush, but also because of those gifts which belong to a young priest and which are most valuable and necessary in the daily service of monastic and collegiate life.
In 1880, Father Pippet was sent to work on the mission at Dowlais in South Wales, a desolate spot enough in those days! In 1881 he was appointed Rector, and there he remained till 1896. I think the chief work of his life was here - and a great work it was. The schools built by him in 1887 were at the time reckoned to be, I believe, the best schools in this part of the country. The addition to the very small church of a handsome sanctuary, excellently built under his personal supervision, was also an accomplished task of no small magnitude. All this was done, not without much anxiety, much self-sacrifice, and persistent appeal to the generosity of his flock, who were working people in those days very poorly paid. Father Pippet's work has stood the test of years, and the Catholics of Dowlais owe him a deep debt of gratitude.
The latter part of his life was passed in less arduous circumstances. After his long term of active service at Dowlais, he was sent to Blackwood in Scotland for about nine years; then to Lee House in Lancashire, a quiet place of rest where he remained for fourteen years. He had by this time reached a great age, and retired to Ampleforth June 6th, 1919. The following year the Nursing Sisters took care of him in their Nursing home at Bristol. With them he died in May, 1923. He was buried at Ampleforth. R.I.P.
From first to last there was one characteristic in Fr. Pippet which everybody noticed, and that was his love for children, and his quiet, gentle ways. At College, when he was a priest and I was a boy, I remember that of him; and now I hear from those at Dowlais who knew him, the same appreciation. Wherever he was, whether at Lee House, or Blackwood, or Dowlais, he won in response respect and affection. His, great work at Dowlais was not forgotten by his superiors and in 1917 they conferred upon him the honorary title of Cathedral Prior of Durham. Always unobtrusive, Father Pippet was not prominent in the Council and government of his monastery, but in the simplicity and humility of a hidden life there is a gift valued by Almighty God more than honours which win the praise of men. As he lived a secluded life so he died, gradually fading in his extreme old age. Vitality decreased, his limbs lost their strength, his memory was clouded. Simply and slowly the autumn of life brought that natural decay which according to God's law ends in death. A good and faithful servant Father John Cuthbert Pippet yielded his body to the dust, and his soul into the hands of his Creator. Remember him in your prayers!
JOHN CUTHBERT PIPPET 14 May 1923
1842 30 Mar Born Glenview Somerset
1854-63 Educ Ampleforth
1863 29 Sep Received the Habit at Belmont from Prior RB Vaughan
1864 22 Nov Simple Profession Belmont
1868 11 Jan$$ Solemn Profession Ampleforth
27 Dec Ordained Subdiaconate
1871 26 Feb Diaconate
1872 28 Feb Priesthood Bishop Robt Cornthwaite
1880 Served on the mission at Dowlais
1881 Head priest Dowlais
Built schools & the sanctuary of the church
1896 Appointed Blackwood NB
1905 May Lee House
1917 11 Sep Cath Prior of Durham
1919 6 Jun Retired to Ampleforth
1920 7 Aug Nursing Home at Clifton, Bristol
1923 14 May Died at Clifton
18 May Buried at Ampleforth