Reverend Richard Roberts Eva
Associate King's College London
The Reverend Canon Richard Eva was educated at King's College, London where he became an A.K.C. (Associate of King's College) in 1871; ordained Deacon of Chester Cathedral, June 4, 1871, by the late Dr. Jacobsen, Bishop of Chester, and a Priest in 1878.
His only Curacy was at Christ Church,
Great Homer Street, Liverpool, under the well known
missioner, Reverend William Hay Macdowall Hunter Aitken,
M.A. The Reverend Canon Honeyburne, M.A. and Doctor
Weitbrecht, Ph.D., were his fellow curates.
Religious Pioneer
Leaving England in 1874 Canon Eva was sent
to Sydney to do pioneer work in North Queensland and became
Rector of Cooktown in 1875, where he built a church and
rectory, and organised the most northerly parish in
Australia.
The Reverend Eva married Eliza Jane Hicks at Sydney in
1876. The marriage produced five children, Bernard Charles
Alfred, born 22 March 1879, Ella Lois Julia born 24 August
1880, Irene Beatrice, born 7 November 1887, Richard Theodore Harold,
16 February 1889 and Oswald Francis St. David, 7 December
1890.
In April 1878 he became Incumbent of Prospect and Seven
Hills, where he was privileged to build a brick Church,
opened by Bishop Frederick Barker in October 1880. He was
also at Blacktown near Parramatta.
Liberal Thinker
Canon Eva was largely respected by all
classes of society, and his kindly ministrations and
liberal views exalted him greatly in the estimation of the
community.
Photo: The History of Maryborough -
George E. Loyau - 1895
Maryborough Appointment
He arrived in Maryborough, Queensland in
1881 as Rector of St. Paul's Church; appointed Rural Dean
in 1886, and Honorary Canon of St. John's Cathedral,
Brisbane, in 1892.
Canon Eva's son Bernard was admitted to the priesthood and
ordained by the newly appointed Bishop of Brisbane, the Reverend St Clair
George Alfred Donaldson at St. Luke's Church, Charlotte
Street, 5 January 1905.
The Rector suffered from recurring ill health and died of
bronchial pneumonia 8 October 1907. His funeral was held at
St. Paul's the following day with the Rectors of Gympie and
Bundaberg officiating at the service.
Large Funeral
The funeral cortege was a very large one
comprising fifty vehicles and hearse preceded by three
clergymen, the late Canon's brother and three sons walking
behind.
Hundreds of citizens lined the street in front of the
church and the railway station verandah packed. Great
sympathy was expressed for Mrs. Eliza Eva from all sections
of the community.
Sources: The Courier Mail - 9 October 1907; The History of Maryborough - George E. Loyau.