MACKENZIE, John, Rev, M.A. D.D., Dr (1869-1955)
Assembly memorial minute 1955
Born at Geraldine, New Zealand, on 1st September, 1869. Graduated Master of Arts, University of New Zealand, from Canterbury College and Otago University.
Ordained at Dunedin, New Zealand, and inducted to the charge of Thames in 1895.
Parishes: Thames, New Zealand, from 1895 to 1900.
St. Andrew's, Christchurch, New Zealand, from 1900 to 1914.
Toorak, Victoria, from 1914 to 1944.
Moderator of State Assembly of Victoria from 1934 to 1935. Moderator-General, General Assembly of Australia, from 1936 to 1939.
Died on Tuesday, 3rd May, 1955.
Dr. Mackenzie’s father, as a pioneer, selected land near Geraldine, New Zealand. John was educated there and entered the High School at Timaru, from which he graduated Dux of the school. His theological training was given at Dunedin, New Zealand. During his first year in theology, he volunteered to open a new home mission station in a part of the North Island, recently cleared from heavy bush. He laboured for six months at Pahaitua, following muddy tracks and fording unbridged rivers to reach the scene of his labour.
For his second year he went to Scotland and studied under great teachers, such as Principal Robert Rainy, Professor A. B. Davidson and Professor Marcus Dods.
Returning to New Zealand, he was inducted to Thames, later to be called to one of the dominion’s leading churches. During his ministry at Christchurch the roll of communicants was doubled. He became the first convener of the Assembly’s new youth department; was president of the Young Men’s Christian Association and of the Students* Christian Movement, and was also the first president of the Social Services Association, and was Chaplain to the Canterbury Regiment from 1902 - 1914. He came to Victoria and commenced a ministry of thirty years at Toorak, and readily assumed a leadership among youth work. During this pastorate the University of Glasgow conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Dr. Mackenzie, a true Scot, had a passionate belief in education. Both in New Zealand and Australia his name holds a prominent place in the story of youth movements which mark the first half of the twentieth century. In latter years his great devotion was in Kindergarten councils. In his whimsical way he would say that he was ending his life where it began - in the kindergarten.
Accompanied by Mrs. Mackenzie, he attended the first Missionary Conference in Edinburgh in 1910, which we now know marked the beginning of the modern ecumenical movement. His name has ever been in the forefront of this movement. Within his own communion, and in dealings with others, Dr. Mackenzie showed a sympathetic understanding, a truly catholic spirit, and an intelligent adherence to fundamental Christian belief. In pursuit of his ideal his advice was sound and his administration wise.
As a Christian pastor he was a shepherd of souls; as a first- class scholar he was furnished with a rich and well-trained mind; as a student of literature he possessed the ability to express himself in appropriate language. "John Mackenzie is a statesman" was so often said of him. He longed to see a generation of men arise of strong mind, heart, and of Christian character, to match the day of opportunity and the hour of destiny, all of which, and more, he brought into the duties of a parish minister. He was entrusted with high offices in church life and work, and he so faithfully and graciously fulfilled these tasks that he won universal respect and love. He fulfilled 60 years of ordained ministry.
To his daughter and two sons the Assembly tender sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male