HAGENAUER, Frederick August, Rev, M.A. (1875-1957)
Assembly memorial minute 1957
Born - Stratford, Victoria in 1875.
Educated - Geelong College,
Melbourne University - Master of Arts, Ormond College, Theological Hall.
Ordained - Yarram - 1900.
Parishes - Yarram - 1900-1907.
Castlemaine - 1907 resigned 1921.
Cairns Memorial, East Melbourne - 1928 resigned 1950.
Padre to "Old Contemptibles" and Scottish Exservicemen’s Association Died - 14th July, 1957.
Mr. Hagenauer was the son of the Rev. F. A. Hagenauer, a Moravian missionary, who had charge of a Government aboriginal station in Gippsland. The combined ministry of father and son spans one hundred years of Christian witness. During his pastorate at Castlemaine, Mr. Hagenauer sustained a serious accident, that had bearing on his health in future years. For almost twelve months he lost his power of speech. The day following the accident, he was to have left for active service as a padre with the First A.I.F. Failing eye-sight, thought to be a result of the accident, compelled his resignation of the Castlemaine pastorate in 1921. He retired to an orchard in Box Hill, where he remained for seven years. In 1928, he agreed to a brief tenure as minister at Cairns Memorial, and remained 22 years.
Words spoken of John Knox were used of Mr. Hagenauer at his farewell in 1950 - ”He neither feared nor flattered any flesh.” This was ever true, for he was a fighter for Christian principles and a leader against social evils. Though almost blind for 14 years - unable to read or write - he tended his orchard, as well as conducting services. Even after retirement from Cairns Memorial, he was constantly active as a supply minister, even though this meant his committing the entire service to memory. God had blessed this servant with a magnificent memory. He believed that mental and spiritual tiredness were off-set by manual work. He believed in fun, and suspected the sincerity of a believer’s gloom and pessimism..
He was a faithful Presbyter and figured largely in many Assembly debates upon the Church’s attitude to war and public questions.
To his two daughters, Mrs. Dugan and Miss R.L. Hagenauer, the Assembly tender sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male