Reverend Michael Henry Becher

Rev Michael Henry Becher was the son of Rev. Michael Henry Becher and his wife Susanna Vowell. His birth was announced in the paper; 1819 Southern Reporter 2 March 1819 “yesterday evening in Patrick St the lady of the Rev M Becher of a son.”

Admitted Pensioner St Johns, Cambridge 6 July 1837, son of Michael Henry Becher. Matriculated Mich. 1839. Migrated to Jesus College 10 April 1840. BA 1843

In 1841 the census shows that he is staying with his well known Uncle, John Thomas Becher at Hill House, Southwell.  He was ordained a priest in 1844, and by 1846 was rector at Barnoldby-Le-Beck. The 1851 census shows him living there at the Rectory with a housekeeper and a housemaid. At the end of 1854 he goes on a long trip to Australia with the British and Foreign Bible Society, returning in August 1856 with a new wife, Philippa Jennings. They return to Australia for good in 1861.

1856 The Argus 14 April 14 1856 MARRIED. On the 9th inst, at St. Kilda by the Rev. D. Seddon, the Rev. M. H. Becher, rector of Barnoldby-Le-Beck Lincolnshire, England, to Philippa Catherine, second surviving daughter of Henry Jennings, Esq Melbourne.

1883 The Argus Saturday 6 Jan 1883 “ The funeral of the Rev. M. H. Becher B.A. of Cambridge University, whose death was announced in our issue of yesterday, will take place this afternoon from St James’s Church in Collins-street west. Mr. Becher arrived here in 1861 as a permanent resident of the colony: but he visited it first in 1855, as the agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He laboured here in that capacity for about two years, and during that time was married to Miss Jennings, daughter of Mr. Jennings of Melbourne, Solicitor. In 1857 he returned to England to Barnoldby-Le-Beck in Lincolnshire, of which parish he was the rector, and remained there until 1861, when he was offered the incumbency of St James’s, then the Cathedral Church of Victoria. He accepted the offer, came out to the colony, and retained the incumbency until the date of his death. He was a very zealous minister, and until about 15 months ago when seized with the illness which eventually terminated in his death, was a most active and earnest supporter of all movements tending to the promotion of religion, morality and temperance. For several years also he was the editor of the Church of England Messenger. Although his death was not an altogether unexpected event, it will be regretted by the extensive circle of friends he had formed in this colony. The deceased had a large family, and has left a wife and nine children. Funeral services will be held tomorrow, in the morning by the Dean of Melbourne, in the evening by the Rev. Canon Chase.” 1883 The Argus Monday 8 January 1883 “ THE LATE CANON BECHER The funeral of the late Rev. Michael Henry Becher B.A. took place on Saturday & was numerously attended. The remains were carried from the parsonage in Little Collins-street to St James’s Cathedral, and the procession was led by Dean McCartney, Archdeacon Stretch, and the Rev. Mr. Goodman from the Cathedral gate into the church, from where a large congregation had assembled. The first part of the funeral services was read by the Dean, after which Archdeacon Stretch gave a short address, in which he referred in feeling terms to his late brother, and bore testimony to the humble and true Christian character of the deceased. The coffin, which was covered with beautiful wreaths of flowers, was then carried to the hearse, and born to the Melbourne General Cemetery. There were five mourning coaches, occupied by the relatives of the deceased, the officiating clergymen, and the churchwardens, and these were followed by many private vehicles. At the cemetery, the Dean, assisted by Messers Goodman and Goodwin, concluded the funeral service. The pallbearers were three churchwardens, two representatives of St James’s Bible Class, the deputy registrar of the diocese (Mr. W. E. Morris) and Mr. B. Whyte. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. A. A. Sleight of Collins-street. The Very Re. Dean McCartney preached a funeral sermon in connection with the death of the reverend Gentleman at St. James’s Pro-Cathedral yesterday forenoon. The interior of the church was draped in mourning, and at the conclusion of the service “The Dead March in Saul” was played as a voluntary by the organist. The Dean chose as his text the 54th and 55th verses of St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians. “When the corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality, then shall be bought to pass the saying that is written-‘Death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death where is thy sting; Oh! Grave where is thy victory.” It was a solemn thing, he said, when a congregation assembled together for the first time in the new year, and if anything could add to that solemnity it was the recent removal from this life of one who was well known, and whose death brought immediately before them the realities of the eternal world, as well as the realities of this present world. He who had been taken from them stood remarkable for his firm adherence to the truths which he had received, and to which by the grace of God he had held fast. His first text on entering the pulpit of that church was this: “I have determined to know nothing amongst you save Jesus Christ and him crucified” and that single knowledge guided him through life, blessed him on his dying bed, and blessed him on entering the realities of eternity. He had many children, but each was taken from him, until at last one was born who grew up to be an intelligent companion. And his father’s heart was drawn out to him. They went into the country together, and while there the reverend gentleman was seized with fever. His life was long in jeopardy, but at last, contrary to expectations he was restored to health to learn that while he lay upon the bed of sickness his child, which had been the light of his eyes, had been taken from him. He knew that it was the hand of God: but his frame was shaken, and from that time he steadily and gradually declined. Those who could remember him well knew that he was a remarkable man, and he (the dean) never knew any one who combined all the powers which should grace a minister of Christ in such a degree as they were combined in him. Death had its sting, and the grave attained its victory, but only for those who remained in life. While we sorrowed for ourselves, but rejoiced for those who had gone before, and the message of death was not to tell us to prepare to die, but to tell us to learn to live, so that death may be an entrance to a better life. ”

1883 The Argus 31 May 1883 “On Saturday last the very Rev. Dean Macartney presented to the two Misses Becher some very pretty testimonials from the teachers and scholars of St. James’s Sunday School and the members of the church choir, on their retirement from the Sunday School with which they have been connected from their earliest childhood. In the course of his address the dean paid a high tribute to the memory of the late Canon Becher. He spoke of his piety and devotions as a minister, as well as his worth as a gentleman and said he had always rejoiced in having so devoted a co worker and such a valuable personal friend. Mr Leonard, the superintendent, in a few well-chosen words, replied on behalf of the recipients, thanking the teachers and scholars for the presents and the dean for his kind allusions to their late father.”