The Church of England, celebrated for its broad Christian tradition, encompasses Anglo-Catholics, low-church evangelicals, theological liberals, and charismatics. As 1 Peter 2:9 suggests, it also boasts its fair share of “peculiar people.” Fergus Butler-Gallie’s A Field Guide to the English Clergy introduces readers to a gallery of such colorful clerical figures, offering a humorous and insightful look into the lives of often eccentric, sometimes scandalous, but always captivating members of the English clergy.
The book, structured into sections like “Rogues,” “Prodigal Sons,” and “Bon Viveurs,” dedicates roughly 3-4 pages to each profile. Butler-Gallie provides a concise biographical sketch, followed by an account of the subject’s mishaps and misadventures. Notably, the book focuses solely on male clerics, a decision Butler-Gallie addresses with humor, citing the potential for legal action should he venture into profiling their female counterparts, who were ordained much later.
Every reader will undoubtedly find profiles that particularly resonate with them. George Harvest (1728-89), the absent-minded Rector of Thames Ditton, stands out. Harvest, engaged to be married twice, managed to forget his nuptials on both occasions. He chose fishing on his first wedding day and a leisurely country stroll on the second. Butler-Gallie recounts one of Harvest’s most memorable pastoral moments:
“Perhaps his finest pastoral moment came when he was asked to explain the constellations of the night sky to Lady Onslow (the wife of the friend who had got him his job). Midway through Harvest’s explanation, the noble lady suddenly felt a warm and damp sensation at her feet; Harvest, pressed by a call of nature, had taken advantage of the cover afforded by the darkness of the night and begun to relieve himself while continuing his astronomical lecture. Unfortunately for Lady Onslow, Harvest had mixed up his left and right and, while he thought he was surreptitiously urinating away from her (itself a less than ideal situation) he was, in fact, detailing the wonders of the Plough while passing water down her leg” (p. 9).
Another compelling, yet tragic, story is that of Harold Davidson, the Rector of Stiffkey. Davidson, before entering the priesthood, had a background as an entertainer. During his ministry, he gained notoriety as the “Prostitute’s Padre” due to his mission to rescue young women he believed were on the verge of falling into prostitution. He is estimated to have approached hundreds, possibly even a thousand, of these girls. While his efforts to protect their dignity sparked various sordid rumors, there is no evidence to suggest he acted inappropriately or exploited any of these women.
Sadly, charges were still brought against him by those who suspected impropriety. During his court case, a photograph surfaced showing him with a nearly naked girl, leading to his defrocking. The saga of Harold Davidson had, by this point, become a global sensation. After his removal from the priesthood, Davidson returned to show business, delivering sermons from inside a barrel. As interest in these performances declined, he attempted a more perilous act: “A modern Daniel in a lion’s den.” Tragically, during one of these performances, a lion attacked Davidson, inflicting such severe injuries that he later died.
Reading G.K. Chesterton often evokes a palpable sense of joy, a rare sensation. Similarly, A Field Guide to the English Clergy elicits a comparable feeling as one reads about Edwin Boston’s passion for trains, Claude Jenkins’ extensive library, and various clerics’ fondness for alcohol and tobacco. While studying theology, one might harbor doubts about certain students in the MDiv program; these brief biographies demonstrate that the ministry has always had its share of scoundrels and scallywags. Yet, Butler-Gallie portrays these clergy with affection and sympathy. Despite their quirks and failings, many were beloved by their parishioners.
A Field Guide to the English Clergy is a delightful and whimsical book suitable for a wide audience, but especially for Anglicans and those engaged in ministry. It offers a glimpse into the human side of the clergy, reminding us that even those in positions of authority and spiritual guidance are not immune to the foibles and eccentricities that make us all unique. It’s a celebration of the “peculiar people” who have shaped the Church of England, for better or for worse.
