Says Clergyman: ‘The attitude of Church is cowardly’ – 62 Courtlands Avenue

Kentish Independent – Friday 22 September 1961

Says Clergyman: ‘The attitude of Church is cowardly’

The attitude of the Church towards H-bombs and the international situation generally is cowardly and tragic. And instead of remaining silent and playing down to political diplomacy it should call everyone to a day or week of prayers.

This was a view expressed by the Rev. A. Miller Hagerty, preaching at Holy Trinity Church, Eltham, recently.

Speaking about nuclear bombs and the dangers facing mankind, Mr. Hagerty who lives at 62 Courtlands Avenue, Lee, said that anti-bomb marching would have no effect on the international situation. What was needed was a “return to God’s standard of moral values” and a complete “change of mind,” which were the spiritual battle-cries at opening of the Christian era.

Rev Hagerty – a “finished elocutionist” in Australia in 1913

Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 – 1940) View title info Tue 19 Aug 1913 Page 2 SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

‘Everything is suffering from change…’

[AWH – Possible start to booklet? Out the window modern, cube-shaped flats and maisonettes were springing up. In just xx months, his house would be demolished.

Maybe try to find the Catford letter.]

The Rev A. Miller Hagerty, sat in his soon-to-be demolished vicarage near its soon-to-be-demolished church, hammering out a letter that railed against change. “”Everything in this age and generation is suffering from change,” he wrote, as modern flats and maisonettes sprung up around him.

That change “inflicts itself on the community life socially, economically and even religiously,” he added in his letter to the Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette’s “You Tell Us” page. “Road traffic bewilders us, housing is an ever growing problem, the equitable adjustment of wages and prices, the turmoil of strikes, with thier dislocations, are a nightmare.” Beyond Courtlands Avenue, things were even worse. “The international strife of the powers breed the fear of the possible disintegration of civilisation.”

He kicked off a tradition of Courtlands Avenue letter writers. Though they were less angst-ridden as time went along.]

Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette – Friday 16 September 1960