Derek Ingram Hill
Encyclopedia
Canon Derek Ingram Hill was an Anglican priest
, notable as a pastor
, administrator and historian, active mainly in the south-east of England and particularly in the city of Canterbury
and its cathedral
.
but moved to Margate in 1916 for health reasons. At the age of 11, he was sent to The King's School, Canterbury
, where he first formed a strong attachment to the cathedral and its pattern of worship and wrote a short guide to it. He then went to Trinity College, Oxford
, to study modern history. At Trinity he developed a wider interest in the medieval churches of England. He visited every cathedral
in the country by bicycle and wrote a study of the stained glass
of Oxford
. Moving to Wells Theological College
to study for ordination
, he again wrote a study of stained glass in local churches.
. This facilitated his developing interest in the cathedrals and abbey
s of northern France, which he explored each summer, as usual by bicycle. However, he also built a growing reputation for his parish work, moving to a further curacy at St Andrew’s, Croydon
, in 1939, and later taking over as priest-in-charge and then vicar at Holy Innocents, South Norwood
. This was at a time of constant danger during the London Blitz, but he made a great success of Holy Innocents, where he ministered for 14 years.
Ingram Hill was invited to return to Canterbury by Archbishop Geoffrey Fisher
in 1957, to take up the post of Vicar of St Gregory's. From there he moved a short distance in 1965 to become Rector of St Peter and St Alphege and Master of the Hospital of St. Thomas the Martyr, Eastbridge
. In 1972 his work was extended to St Mildred with St Mary de Castro, the oldest church within the city walls, which had to be restored after a fire. In common with most English cities, Canterbury was undergoing a process of suburban growth
, greatly intensified by the rapid development of the centre as a tourist attraction
and the growth of the University and teacher training college (now Canterbury Christ Church University
). Ingram Hill initiated a series of changes in use of church buildings, with St Alphege's itself ultimately becoming the Canterbury Environment Centre.
This work led him into membership of the Redundant Churches (now the Churches Conservation Trust
), a charity which takes responsibility for Anglican churches no longer required for worship. He pursued his historical and conservation interests further through the Kent Archaeological Society
and the Friends of Kent Churches. He was also a member of the General Synod
of the Church of England
for nearly a decade, from 1965 until 1974 and, for a time, the archbishop's adviser to diocesan schools.
– originally a body charged by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer
with preaching against Roman Catholicism, but by this time an honorific appointment, allowing the holder to sit with the Dean and Canons
in cathedral services. He was made an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral in 1970.
In 1976 Archbishop Donald Coggan
appointed Ingram Hill a Canon Residentiary, a full-time member of the Cathedral Chapter
. He held this position until his retirement in 1983. He was noted for his enthusiasm in promoting community interest in the cathedral itself and the churches of the surrounding city and countryside, as well as his punctilious observance of all aspects of cathedral worship. He produced a number of studies and guidebooks in this period, including Christ’s Glorious Church (1976), a popular guide to the cathedral, the New Bell’s Guide to Canterbury Cathedral (1986), a more substantial work, and The Six Preachers of Canterbury Cathedral (1982), a history of the college. His work extended to radio broadcasts and interviews. However, he was perhaps best-known for his constant work in welcoming visiting parties, initiating them into the mysteries of the cathedral, often by torch-light. His knowledge and commitment were recognised on retirement by the award of an honorary doctorate of Divinity
by the University of Kent and the granting of the freedom of the city of Canterbury.
. The King's School commissioned a portrait of him in 1998: painted by John Ward, it won the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery (London).
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, notable as a pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
, administrator and historian, active mainly in the south-east of England and particularly in the city of Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
and its cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
.
Early life and education
Derek Ingram Hill was born in Wimbledon, LondonWimbledon, London
Wimbledon is a district in the south west area of London, England, located south of Wandsworth, and east of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated within Greater London. It is home to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and New Wimbledon Theatre, and contains Wimbledon Common, one of the largest areas...
but moved to Margate in 1916 for health reasons. At the age of 11, he was sent to The King's School, Canterbury
The King's School, Canterbury
The King's School is a British co-educational independent school for both day and boarding pupils in the historic English cathedral city of Canterbury in Kent. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and the Eton Group....
, where he first formed a strong attachment to the cathedral and its pattern of worship and wrote a short guide to it. He then went to Trinity College, Oxford
Trinity College, Oxford
The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the University of Oxford, of the foundation of Sir Thomas Pope , or Trinity College for short, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It stands on Broad Street, next door to Balliol College and Blackwells bookshop,...
, to study modern history. At Trinity he developed a wider interest in the medieval churches of England. He visited every cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
in the country by bicycle and wrote a study of the stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
of Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. Moving to Wells Theological College
Wells Theological College
Wells Theological College began operation in 1840 within the Cathedral Close of Wells Cathedral. In 1971 it merged with Salisbury Theological College, the students moved to Salisbury, and the new institution became known as the Salisbury & Wells Theological College, now Sarum College.The official...
to study for ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
, he again wrote a study of stained glass in local churches.
Parish ministry
Ingram Hill was ordained in 1935 and became curate at Buckland-in-DoverBuckland, Kent
Buckland is a village near Dover, England. It is noted for its Saxon cemetery whose finds now belong to the British Museum but are on display at Dover Museum.English railway contractor, Edward Betts, was born in Buckland....
. This facilitated his developing interest in the cathedrals and abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
s of northern France, which he explored each summer, as usual by bicycle. However, he also built a growing reputation for his parish work, moving to a further curacy at St Andrew’s, Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, in 1939, and later taking over as priest-in-charge and then vicar at Holy Innocents, South Norwood
South Norwood
South Norwood is an urban town and in south London, England, in the London Borough of Croydon. It is a suburban development 7.8 miles south-east of Charing Cross. South Norwood is an electoral with a resident population in 2001 of just over 14,000...
. This was at a time of constant danger during the London Blitz, but he made a great success of Holy Innocents, where he ministered for 14 years.
Ingram Hill was invited to return to Canterbury by Archbishop Geoffrey Fisher
Geoffrey Fisher
Geoffrey Francis Fisher, Baron Fisher of Lambeth, GCVO, PC was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1945 to 1961.-Background:...
in 1957, to take up the post of Vicar of St Gregory's. From there he moved a short distance in 1965 to become Rector of St Peter and St Alphege and Master of the Hospital of St. Thomas the Martyr, Eastbridge
The Hospital of St Thomas, Canterbury
The Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr of Eastbridge was founded in the 12th century in Canterbury, England, to provide overnight accommodation for poor pilgrims to the shrine of St Thomas Beckett....
. In 1972 his work was extended to St Mildred with St Mary de Castro, the oldest church within the city walls, which had to be restored after a fire. In common with most English cities, Canterbury was undergoing a process of suburban growth
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
, greatly intensified by the rapid development of the centre as a tourist attraction
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
and the growth of the University and teacher training college (now Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University is a university in Canterbury, Kent, England. Founded as a Church of England college for teaching training it has grown to full university status and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2012. The focus of its work is in the education of people going into...
). Ingram Hill initiated a series of changes in use of church buildings, with St Alphege's itself ultimately becoming the Canterbury Environment Centre.
This work led him into membership of the Redundant Churches (now the Churches Conservation Trust
Churches Conservation Trust
The Churches Conservation Trust, which was initially known as the Redundant Churches Fund, is a charity whose purpose is to protect historic churches at risk, those that have been made redundant by the Church of England. The Trust was established by the Pastoral Measure of 1968...
), a charity which takes responsibility for Anglican churches no longer required for worship. He pursued his historical and conservation interests further through the Kent Archaeological Society
Kent Archaeological Society
The Kent Archaeological Society was founded in 1857 to promote the study and publication of archaeology and history, especially that pertaining to the ancient county of Kent in England...
and the Friends of Kent Churches. He was also a member of the General Synod
General Synod
-Church of England:In the Church of England, the General Synod, which was established in 1970 , is the legislative body of the Church.-Episcopal Church of the United States:...
of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
for nearly a decade, from 1965 until 1974 and, for a time, the archbishop's adviser to diocesan schools.
Involvement with the Cathedral
In 1964, while still at St Gregory's, Ingram Hill was appointed a member of the college of Six PreachersSix Preachers
The college of Six Preachers of Canterbury Cathedral was created by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer as part of the reorganisation of the monastic Christ Church Priory into the new secular Cathedral....
– originally a body charged by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer was a leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. He helped build a favourable case for Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon which resulted in the separation of the English Church from...
with preaching against Roman Catholicism, but by this time an honorific appointment, allowing the holder to sit with the Dean and Canons
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
in cathedral services. He was made an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral in 1970.
In 1976 Archbishop Donald Coggan
Donald Coggan
Frederick Donald Coggan, Baron Coggan, PC was the 101st Archbishop of Canterbury from 1974 to 1980, during which time he visited Rome and met the Pontiff, in company with Bishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, future Cardinal of England and Wales.-Background:Coggan was born in Highgate, London, England...
appointed Ingram Hill a Canon Residentiary, a full-time member of the Cathedral Chapter
Chapter (religion)
Chapter designates certain corporate ecclesiastical bodies in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Nordic Lutheran churches....
. He held this position until his retirement in 1983. He was noted for his enthusiasm in promoting community interest in the cathedral itself and the churches of the surrounding city and countryside, as well as his punctilious observance of all aspects of cathedral worship. He produced a number of studies and guidebooks in this period, including Christ’s Glorious Church (1976), a popular guide to the cathedral, the New Bell’s Guide to Canterbury Cathedral (1986), a more substantial work, and The Six Preachers of Canterbury Cathedral (1982), a history of the college. His work extended to radio broadcasts and interviews. However, he was perhaps best-known for his constant work in welcoming visiting parties, initiating them into the mysteries of the cathedral, often by torch-light. His knowledge and commitment were recognised on retirement by the award of an honorary doctorate of Divinity
Divinity
Divinity and divine are broadly applied but loosely defined terms, used variously within different faiths and belief systems — and even by different individuals within a given faith — to refer to some transcendent or transcendental power or deity, or its attributes or manifestations in...
by the University of Kent and the granting of the freedom of the city of Canterbury.
Later years
Ingram Hill's scholarly work and enthusiasms persisted after retirement, and he continued to worship regularly at the cathedral until near his death. He was able to expand his interest in music, in particular the cantatas of Johann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
. The King's School commissioned a portrait of him in 1998: painted by John Ward, it won the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery (London).