OBIT: Fr Darwin Kirby

FEARRINGTON, N.C. The Rev. Canon Darwin Kirby Jr., DD., LHD, died February 28, 2006. Born August 6, 1918 in Chicago, Ill., Father Kirby graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1938 from the University of Illinois. He completed the M.A. degree in English literature at Yale in 1940 and graduated from Seabury-Western Seminary in 1944. Ordained to the priesthood in 1944, he served three years as curate at St. Luke’s Church, Evanston, Ill., before being elected rector of St. George’s Church, Schenectady in 1947, a parish he served 40 years until his retirement in 1987. He moved to Fearrington, N.C., residing there until his death. During his rectorship, St. George’s Church became the largest parish in the diocese. A major restoration of the historic church was completed in 1953 by the distinguished architectural firm of Colonial Williamsburg. Fr. Kirby brought over 25 men to the priesthood and, by 1964, the number of communicants had increased 300%. Among the church’s many missionary projects were significant outpourings to both Okinawa and Haiti. In the early 1970s, St. George’s Episcopal and St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic churches entered into an ecumenical covenant relationship – one of the first in the nation. This historic event was celebrated at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Albany in the presence of both the Roman Catholic and Episcopal bishops of Albany and Michael Ramsey, the 100th archbishop of Canterbury. During the parish’s 250th anniversary celebration in 1985, visits were made by the lord bishop of London, the presiding bishop of ECUSA and the bishop of Aberdeen. An updated History of St. George’s: Spanning Three Centuries was penned by former Union College President Dr. Harold C. Martin. This great celebration raised more than $500,000 for such projects as a new organ, slate roof, heating plant, major structural and grounds improvements and establishment of ongoing endowment funds for education and missions. A renowned preacher, Fr. Kirby was sought throughout the Anglican Communion. He twice conducted clergy conferences in Australia and represented the presiding bishop at the 75th anniversary of the founding of the church in Papua New Guinea. He also brought numerous leading preachers and laymen to speak at St. George’s throughout his tenure. In 1994, a large gathering from here and abroad attended a Solemn Mass in New York City, celebrating his 50th anniversary as a priest. On that occasion, a Mission Foundation was established in his name that supports traditional Catholic causes. An honorary canon of the Albany Diocese, he served a long tenure as president of the Standing Committee and was five times a deputy to the church’s General Convention. He received honorary doctorates from Seabury-Western Seminary (DD) and Union College, Schenectady (LHD). He served on such varied boards as the Living Church Foundation, the MRI Commission and a trustee of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, the Prayer Book Society and Hoosac School. Father Kirby is survived by a son, Craig Stewart of Schenectady; a daughter, Kristin of San Francisco; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Mary Monroe and Shayne Kirby; and one great-granddaughter, Gabriella Monroe. He was predeceased by his wife, Constance in 1997. A Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. George’s Church, Schenectady on Saturday, March 11 at 10:00 a.m. The Bishop of Northern Malawi, retired, will celebrate, assisted by former curates of Father Kirby. Clergy attending and processing should vest in cassock, surplice, black stole and biretta. A reception will follow the service. Memorial gifts may be made to The Father Kirby Mission Foundation, c/o St. Mary’s Church, 175 Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701. Arrangements are with the Baxter-Andrew Funeral Home, Schenectady and Hall-Wynne & Co. Durham, N.C. For online memorials, click H E R E (under obituaries).

To glimpse the wit of Fr Kirby, go H E R E.