Requiem Mass for Bishop Lawrence Luscombe - September 2022

On 17th September we held a Sung Requiem Mass for Bishop Luscombe, who died on 3rd May 2022 at the age of 97.

He was an altar server here at St. Martin's as a boy and was present in 1939 when our Foundation Stone was laid, and in 1940, when the newly-built Church was consecrated. He rose to become the head of the Scottish Episcopal Church, but he continued to visit us throughout his life and support the clergy and the work of St. Martin's.

We were delighted to welcome his daughter, Jean Sutherland, and other members of his family, and also Father Gorran who returned to preach. At the end of the Service, Jean returned her father’s mitre, which had been presented to him in 1975 by St. Martin’s when he became a Bishop, and this has now been re-united with his crozier, which he had left with us a number of years ago. It was a moving and memorable occasion.

The following photos include one of the original presentation of the mitre, and our re-creation of the photo as Jean returned it to St. Martin’s.

Jean Sutherland returning the mitre.
From Left: Churchwarden Kim Hewings, Jean Sutherland, Father Nick Debney,
Churchwarden Rose Porter, and Father Gorran Chapman

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The presentation in 1975.
From Left: Churchwarden Fred Bickle, Father Ashley Manhire, Bishop Lawrence Luscombe,
Churchwarden Eric Sharam, and Father Geoffrey Watts(curate).

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The Requiem Mass

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Jean Sutherland with her father's Mitre and Crozier

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Bishop Lawrence wearing the Mitre at St. Martin's Diamond Jubilee in 2000 AD

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