Remembering with gratitude Sir Marcus Loane, on the Centenary of his birth

Posted on October 14, 2011 
Filed under History, Sydney Diocese

Marcus Loane was born in Tasmania one hundred years ago – on 14 October 1911.

He grew up in Chatswood in Sydney, becoming a Christian at the age of thirteen. After completing school, he worked as a shipping clerk while studying at Sydney University in the evenings.

In 1932, he entered Moore Theological College, with a view to ordination for parish ministry. He excelled academically in the Th.L and also earned an MA in English from Sydney University. 

In 1935, he was ordained deacon by recently-arrived Archbishop Howard Mowll, and was appointed tutor at Moore College.

At St. Paul’s Chatswood, Marcus had met Patricia Knox, daughter of the Rector, the Rev. Canon D. J. Knox. They were married in 1937 at Christ Church Gladesville.

In 1939 Marcus was appointed Vice Principal of Moore College, and Principal in 1953, on the departure of T.C. Hammond. During the war, he had enlisted as an Army Chaplain, and served with great distinction in Papua New Guinea, as he ministered Christ to soldiers on the Owen Stanley Ranges.

Archbishop Mowll consecrated Marcus Loane as bishop coadjutor on 24 February 1958. The Archbishop died just months later. On the resignation of Mowll’s successor, Archbishop Gough, in 1966, Marcus Loane was elected Archbishop. He became the first Australian-born Archbishop of Sydney. In 1976 he was knighted by the Queen, and in 1978 was elected Primate of Australia. He retired as Archbishop in January 1982 and died in April 2009.

Archbishop Loane was a prolific writer, and wanted Christians to understand their heritage. Books such as Masters of the English Reformation, Oxford and the Evangelical Succession, They were Pilgrims, Hewn From the Rock and Mark These Men deserve to be read by Sydney Anglicans.

(See further below for link to photo gallery.)

We asked three brothers to share a few words about Sir Marcus –

Mark Thompson

“Sir Marcus Loane was an integral part of the evangelical renaissance of the postwar years right around the English speaking world. His leadership at Moore College, then as bishop coadjutor and finally Archbishop of Sydney, left a legacy which it would be all too easy to take for granted.

He once remarked that later generations did not realise at what great cost the diocese had been re-won for the evangelical cause and how easily it could all be lost.

He remains one of the giants in our Sydney ‘family album’ for whom we have great cause to give thanks to our God.”

– Dr Mark Thompson is President of the Anglican Church League.

Bruce Ballantine-Jones

“Marcus Loane was a giant of a man.

The strength of his convictions about the gospel and the Bible was an inspiration and a model to us all. His pastoral heart was a source of comfort to countless souls.

The Diocese of Sydney owes him a debt unequalled by any other. It was such a privilege to have lived and served under his leadership.”

– Canon Bruce Ballantine-Jones was Rector of Jannali 1978–2006, and is a past President of the ACL.

Allan M. Blanch

“Sir Marcus Loane was a man of exemplary personal sanctity, an earnest Protestant evangelical, a powerful preacher and a strong leader.

He was also a deeply compassionate pastor. To the end of his long life he maintained a pattern of visitation and widespread correspondence to great pastoral effect.

Those who saw him only in Synod or on special occasions, and were aware of his impressive personal dignity and statesmanlike gravitas, could not imagine with what sensitive kindness and gentle sympathy he ministered to people in private.”

– Canon Allan M. Blanch has served in several capacities, including Rector of St. Barnabas’ Broadway 1974-82. He is an Emeritus Vice President of the ACL.

Additional note. Allan Blanch is gathering biographical material about Marcus Loane and would be grateful if relevant material could be sent to him at 14 Laws Place, Bathurst, NSW, 2795.

Marcus Loane photo gallery. 

Related posts here.

Top photo with thanks to Ramon Williams, Worldwide Photos.