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Augustus Cole, c1851-1940
Background and birth:
He was born in Kingston, 20th December, 1851, and was brought up by his grandparents, Richard Hill and Jane Hill of Happy Hut.. . . . . . . . . .
Education:
Mr Cole had almost no school career, he was practically a self-taught man.When he was 17 years of age he apprenticed himself to Messrs. C P Lazarus & Co, of West End Foundry, Kingston, Jamaica, where he was taught in the various branches of that renowned establishment.
During the time he was engaged in the foundries he was studying Theology under the Venerable Archdeacon D H Campbell, M A, as well as pursuing his English course of learning. In 1886 he entered the Jamaica Church Theological College, and completed his full course.
Diocese of Jamaica - Synod Reports
1887 Appendix D pp 38-9Theological College - Students - includes 'also during past year ... A Cole ... under training at the College for all or part of year.'
p 50 list of students at the Theological College since 1883 includes ... A Cole 1886
1888 p 71 Theological College
'Mr A Cole who having completed his College course has returned to his station.'
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Early employment:
He spent three years between this firm [West End Foundry] and the workshop of Louis McCormack, Esq. He next entered Central Foundry, carried on by W H Lewis, Esq. and six months after he was appointed foreman of the whole foundry, and held this position for a further period of three years, when he was called and appointed Catechist and Teacher of Bella’s Gate School in St Catherine, on the 24th October, 1875. He spent 13 years as a teacher and Catechist of the Church of England in Jamaica, during which period he was master of the following schools, viz: Bella’s Gate, St Catherine, St Mark, St Ann, Aenon Town (which he founded) between Cave Valley and Burro-Bridge, and Bybrook, Portland.
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In the Church of England:
The catechist:
Diocese of Jamaica
- Synod Reports
1876 p lxx Catechists List - 9. Cole, A, Bella's Gate, Old Harbour
1880 Appendix P p cx
The Jamaica Churchman, July7, 1885, page 1 col 2-3
Confirmation at Bybrook.
On Sunday, June 28th, the members of the church worshipping at the above named mission station had the pleasure of welcoming the Bishop, who attended for the purpose of holding a confirmation.The Rev. R. K. Dunbar, superintending clergyman, and Mr. A. Cole, and Mr. Crisp, catechists, were present. Sixty candidates connected with Bybrook, and thirteen from Claverty Cottage, which is in charge of Mr. Crisp, were duly presented. The entire service was of the most impressive nature. Bybrook mission station appears to be flourishing rapidly under the care of Mr. Cole, and we cannot wit[h]old a word of good cheer and encouragement for the energetic manner in which Mr.Cole is labouring.
Life of Archbishop Nuttall,
Frank Cundall, 1922, page 79
1885
I reached Bybrook about 7 o’clock. I investigated various matters connected with the station, the day and Sunday schools, etc. Then had service at eight. There were 73 persons presented for confirmation, all of whom had given evidence to the catechist of a real desire and purpose to dedicate themselves to the service of God. There were about 500 persons present at the service. I had, among other things, to make arrangements for building a new church, the present temporary structure requiring to be superseded by a more substantial and commodious building. The people have already commenced to give labour, material, and money towards this new building. They provide the cost of maintaining their catechist, and help to sustain their day school, which is a large and flourishing one. Now what I want to point out is this. Here in a remote part of Jamaica is a station which, within my recollection, was commenced with only one family to attend service. It has been assisted to a certain extent by our Home Missionary Society; and it has had the monthly visits of a superintending clergyman. All else has been done by a black catechist and the people of his charge. The station is flourishing in every way; and in numbers and spiritual influence is as important as many of our old established churches. Not only so. The catechist goes out into the surrounding regions to hold evangelistic services at various centres two or three times a week. These services are very simple, suited to the present needs of the people. The catechist’s addresses (which are now and then written and sent to me for criticism) are clear, earnest gospel sermons. And people are being led to the love and service of their Saviour. Already in two places a number thus gathered in have formed themselves into branch stations and buildings are being erected for regular services and meetings. This catechist is one to whom our Divinity School has for several years given much help in study, etc. He stands nearly at the top of our list, and I am now contemplating having him up for further training, with a view to ordaining him Deacon for Bybrook, and so hoping to assist him towards greater usefulness.
(The above extract from a letter from Archbishop Nuttall, which Cundall quotes, shows the esteem and concern that the Archbishop felt for Augustus Cole, who was the Black catechist referred to.)
The deacon:
Diocese of Jamaica
- Synod Reports
1889 p 43 Ordinations10 May 1888 '...Augustus Cole... deacon'
The priest:
1890 Feb 26 p5 col 1 Ordinations [to priesthood]
Kingston Parish Church- 19th January 7.30am
The Rev. Augustus Cole was appointed to the Cure [St. David's, Yallahs] in July 1897 by the late Archbishop Nuttall. Two years later he resigned from the Diocese and proceeded on a tour of the United States during which time he preached in many of the biggest Churches there, and filled temporary appointments in several States. He was called to the Port Limon Episcopal Church in succession to the Rev. Mr. Ansell, but declined the position so as to be in his native land. He was again offered the Yallahs Cure, which he accepted, and how well he laboured and raised up the Church from its ruins and promoted its life will be best seen from a look into its history. In the words of our late beloved Archbishop: “There was hardly another man besides Mr. Cole that I could send there to build up the Church, and how well he materialised my hope.”
The Jamaica Churchman, June, 1913 page 4
St. David’s Church, YallahsHis Grace the Archbishop, accompanied by his Chaplains and Secretary,
visited Yallahs on St. Mark’s Day for the purpose of holding a confirmation and to consecrate the restored Church.
The Confirmation Service commenced at 8.3O a.m. and His Grace admitted,
by the laying on of hands, 13 men and 20 women into the full communion of the Church.
The Consecration Service followed almost immediately. In the statement read
by the rector (Rev. A. Cole) the history of St. David’s Church was reviewed.
It is reported to be the oldest or one of the oldest Churches in the Island.
Its date of establishment cannot be exactly determined, though bricks found
in the old building, from their peculiar form and size, point to a period anterior to the 18th Century.
The genesis of the building which the Archbishop consecrated dated back to
1890, when the late Rev. J. D. McPherson commenced a new building on the
same site on which the old one stood. He however erected only the Eastern
section, and fitted up that portion for use. The greater part of the work
has been done by the present Rector, who has steadily persisted in the work until the Church has at last been completely restored.
The Church is capable of accommodating 450 worshippers and has cost
considerably over £500 exclusive of much free labour. The Rector’s interesting
statement went on to show that “Two small portions of the walls of the old building have been preserved in the structure of the restored one.”
The Archbishop addressed the congregation and spoke in high terms of the
Rector’s steady work.
The Rev. Augustus Cole, rector of St. David’s Church Yallahs has obtainedleave of absence from the Bishop of Jamaica, and will shortly be off to enjoya well earned rest and cessation from his strenuous duties which he has beenfaithfully performing here close on twenty years. The present condition of hishealth may perhaps force him to resign altogether from the Cure at theexpiration of his leave, but it is sincerely hoped that his health will have beencompletely repaired to enable him to lengthen his services here.
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Augustus Cole on his life:
from the Daily Gleaner, January 21, 1926
The public man:
Memorial Service:
Daily Gleaner, August 27, 1940
Mr Cole, the Archdeacon [Ramson] said, was born in St Andrew 89 years ago and was the eldest of eight children. He attended an elementary school until he was 15 years of age and then came on to Kingston and was apprenticed to the well-known engineering firm of Messrs Charles P Lazarus and Son. He served this firm for several years and left as general foreman.
During this period he took up classical studies under the late Venerable Archdeacon Campbell. His ambition was to become a teacher which he eventually attained, and taught in several schools in the island with success.
Mr. Cole next felt a call to the Anglican Ministry and then entered the Church's Theological College where he had a brilliant career and was ordained in 1889 as Deacon at Half Way Tree Parish Church, and made a priest a year later.
He
was appointed to the Birnamwood Cure in Portland where he worked for several years, his next appointment being to the St. David's Cure, Yallahs in 1897, where he served for two years. He then left for the United States of America and did missionary work in many states. Mr. Cole next travelled through Central America where he continued missionary work especially in Costa Rica and Panama. On his return to Jamaica, he went back to St. Thomas where he resumed as rector, until weight of advancing years compelled him to resign after over 30 years of devoted service.
