McKENZIE, William Henry Purvis, Rev, M.C. B.A. (1888-1958)
Assembly memorial minute, 1958
Born - New Zealand, 19th December, 1888.
Educated - Princeton University, Otago University (Bachelor of Arts) Military Service - 1st World War, with Scottish Light Horse, light car patrols in Sinai and Palestine as a lieutenant; awarded Military Cross and Bar.
Ordained - 10th October, 1923 at Leeston, N.Z.
Parishes - Leeston - 1923-1925.
Principal of Hamilton College - 1932-1936.
Wadestown, N.Z. - 1936-1945.
Assistant Minister at Toorak, Victoria - 1946-1949.
Alexandra, Victoria - 1949-1952.
Home Missionary, Highett - 1954-1956.
Acting Editor of "Messenger” - 1954-1956.
Conducted devotional column of "Presbyterian Life" - 1954-1956.
Died - 29th August, 1958.
Mr. McKenzie’s was a full and purposeful life, and the many facits include student, schoolmaster, Travelling Secretary of S.C.M., soldier, writer and parish minister.
From a University career he volunteered for active service in the First World War. The company to which he was attached in Sinai and Palestine executed extremely dangerous scouting duties. He served in student days as the Organising Secretary of the S.C.M. and never lost his approach to students and young people generally. His contribution to Youth Conferences could not be assessed.
He was a stimulating, thought-provoking preacher, always leading the thinking of his people out to Him Who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life”. His warm heart and ready sympathy made him pastor whose presence always carried a benediction. His ministry, that touched the smaller groups in his parishes, reached out to a large company through his editorial work, and his devotional column in ’’Presbyterian Life”.
There is a large body of both young and old which would bear a living testimony to the grace, friendship and helpfulness of this ministry.
To Mrs. McKenzie and her two sons, the Assembly tender sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male