Canon Thomas Jones Sermon

History

 The Canon Jones Memorial Sermon was established and endowed in 1939 as a memorial to The Reverend Canon Thomas Jones by his daughters Mrs Cecilia Bancroft and Miss Eva Mabel Jones. Cecilia later donated occasional funds to help pay the honorarium on an annual basis, and the endowment was augmented in 1962 by funds from Cecilia’s estate.   

The original terms of the endowment stipulated that his memory be honoured by the preaching of a sermon in his name once every two years. Initially, the invitation was made by Cecilia Bancroft, but eventually the invitation was made by the Archbishop.  

It was stipulated that the Sermon be delivered every third year in St John’s Cathedral and in the intervening years in country and suburban parishes, beginning with those parishes to which Bishop Tufnell’s band were sent for service. This was later amended to being an annual event. 

The Canon Jones Memorial Sermon notes the historical details of the life and work of Thomas Jones and, in the spirit of his missionary zeal, seek to highlight and further inspire aspects of the mission of the church in the present day. It reflects something of the history of that part of the church (whether parish or institution) in which it is being preached as part of the fruits of the pioneering spirit of Tufnell’s men. The place where the sermon is delivered provides the context for reflection upon both past traditions and future directions. 

The sermon is preached by a member of the clergy invited by the Archbishop to do so in a place in one of the three regions of the diocese in turn. In the fourth year it should be preached in St John’s Cathedral. 

Canon Thomas Jones 1900

Canon Thomas Jones ca 1910

Sermons

Church Chronicle articles

Rev’d Thomas Jones early photo

Canon Thomas Jones 1917

Biography

JONES, THOMAS: b Preston, England in 1836 and d Brisbane in 1918. He was educated at Preston Grammar School. Two of his older brothers were priests, and Thomas became a master at Marlborough Grammar School. In 1859 he was ordained deacon by Bishop Hamilton of Salisbury at the request of Tumell*, a prebendary of Salisbury Cathedral. On arrival in Brisbane he served under the newly installed Bishop Tufnell at St John's Cathedral* and in 1861 was ordained priest. Posted to Rockhampton, he facilitated the erection of St Paul's Church in 1862 on the site of the present Cathedral. In August 1864 he married Frances Sophia Jones of Brisbane at Holy Trinity Church, Sydney, becoming an in-law to the families of prominent early NSW colonists (Jones, O'Connell, Mackenzie and Uhr) with influence in colonial government. Like Thomas, they had private means and were generous in their support of all church members. Their English, Irish, Scottish and Swedish heritage made for religious and national inclusiveness. In 1865 he became the 'officiating minister' of the Wickham Terrace District Church within St John's parish. That church was rebuilt in 1869 and named All Saints* , with Thomas as rector. He visited England 1877-9, then acted as locum tenens at St John's, Brisbane, St James', Toowoomba*, St David's Cathedral, Hobart. He was rector of Toowoomba 1881-93, during which time the parish church was doubled in size; St Luke's School was again opened for regular church services, preparing the way for the formation of the parish of St Luke* , and Sunday Schools were established in three Brisbane parishes, later to become All Saints, St Alban's, Auchenflower* and St Thomas' Toowong*. He personally guaranteed the stipends of his clergy and lay helpers. Additional churches were built at Laidley, Gatton, Geham, Meringandan, and Crow's Nest. He served as Archdeacon of the Western District 1886-93. After visiting England for ten months, he was Rector of Indooroopilly* parish 1894-1918 as well as an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral from 1908. His name is commemorated in the Canon Jones Memorial Chapel, Anglican Church Grammar School* and in the Tomas Jones Memorial Sermon preached within the Diocese annually.     JGS

from The Brisbane Anglican Companion, page 98 published 2010