Around the Province:
Alfred Stevens Clark

Around the Province: Alfred Stevens Clark

Alfred Stevens Clark was born on 30 June 1834 in Farnham Surrey England.

At age 15 he was apprenticed apothecary to his father Dr Robert Clark. After five years he completed his apprenticeship satisfactorily. Soon after this he developed lung problems and was advised to go to a warmer climate and take up smoking to exercise the lungs. So, in about 1854 he immigrated to South Australia.

In 1867 when he was 34, he married Caroline Law in Robe South Australia at St Peter’s Church. In 1869 the young couple and their baby girl left Adelaide and came to Western Australia.

They settled on a farm 'Wannering' in Beverley and in 1873 when he was 39 Alfred was elected as Synodsman for the Beverley district of the Diocese of Perth.

In 1888 Alfred, Caroline and their three children moved to Mourambine, near Pingelly to a farm called 'Cowering'.

In 1901, he received recognition for his 30 years of service to the Anglican Church as a Lay Reader. He was the first Lay Reader to receive the Bishop’s licence in Western Australia.

On 3 June 1910 at age 75 Alfred retired permanently from his role as Churchwarden after 36 years of service to the church. He was one of two surviving members of the first Anglican Synod established by Bishop Hale in WA.

On 10 September 1918 when he was 84 he retired as Synodsman in Bunbury. He represented Pingelly in the Bunbury Synod from its formation.

In a time where we think we’re busy, as well as his church commitments, Alfred was also a farmer, member of the Agricultural Society, member of the school board, secretary of the Board of Education, member of the Roads Board, Justice of the Peace and Commissioner for Declarations.

He fitted a lot into his long life by serving his community well, until he died in 1924 aged 90 in Bassendean.

Alfred is buried in the Guildford cemetery.

RIP Grandfather Clark

Published in November 2019 edition of the Messenger.