Welcome to the 24th cache by "Keeper of Time".
March 2013, the cache has been moved a few feet and is best grabbed from outside.
John Christian MacCullagh was an Anglican priest, he was born on 6 June 1832 at Johnstown, County Kildare, Ireland the son of James MacCullagh who was a land agent. John was educated at Clontarf Crescent and Trinity College, Dublin and he entered the Islington Mission College but doctors warned him to give up study because it was affecting his sight.
He arrived at Sydney in January 1863 and entered Moore College in May of the same year. He was made deacon at St James's pro-Cathedral in Melbourne on 18 December 1864 and he was licensed to Lancefield and Romsey in 1865 and ordained priest at St James's on 27 May 1866. The first clergyman in the district, he opened in six years ten places for divine service and ten Sunday schools with a total of over 500 scholars. At Christ Church, Hawthorn, on 26 December 1865 he married Elizabeth Ince who was born in Queen's County, Ireland. Elizabeth went with him on his tours but her health was a constant worry and she died on 22 October 1870 aged just 27.
In November 1870 he was inducted as incumbent of St Paul's Sandhurst where he served for forty-six years. His work resulted in the clearing of a large debt, the erection of a new tower, the installation of a peal of bells, a new gallery, organ and small chancel, the building of a new vicarage, parish hall and three churches. Attendance at his Sunday schools rose to 1100 pupils with nearly 100 teachers preparing classes in a course of lessons which he had drawn up.
He was elected as canon of St James's and became a rural dean and in 1883 archdeacon of Bendigo. When the new diocese of Bendigo was established in 1902 many thought that he would be the first bishop, but advancing years and increasing obstinacy lost him the preference. At the first synod he argued strongly for St Paul's as the new pro-Cathedral but All Saints was chosen instead. He was reluctant to be its dean but was persuaded to accept the position of a cathedral dean while incumbent of another parish. He exercised authority at the cathedral only on diocesan occasions and parochial responsibilities at All Saints were left to him. In 1907 he was vicar-general of the diocese and acted as archdeacon in 1909-14.
John MacCullagh has contributed scientific and religious articles to the Argus and continued them in the Bendigo Church News. He also published Sunday school lesson material and notes for theological students. Active in the Christian Social Union he was chief spokesman in 1909 for a delegation which protested to the minister of mines on labour conditions in the Bendigo mines. At St Paul's he organized classes in English and scripture for members of the Chinese community.
Friends knew him as an entertaining conversationalist, witty, quick at repartee and capable of deep indignation. He won repute throughout the whole district for his liberality and concern for those who suffered. A pronounced Evangelical, he returned each year to the text of his first sermon: 'For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified'.
Ill health marred the last years of John MacCullagh's ministry but he continued to hold the community's affection and respect. When he died at Hawksburn on 24 September 1917 he was almost penniless, for years he had given his income to those who needed it. He is buried in the Lancefield cemetery beside his wife Elizabeth.
At the posted coordinates you will need to answer the following questions.
AB/CD/EFGH = When Henry Holmes MacCullagh died
IJ = The age of Henry Holmes MacCullagh when he died
GZ is at South 37 17.(H-E)(B-I)(G+C) East 144 44.(G-D)(D+B)(F-J)
The cache is a micro inside a cammoed item, please ensure that it is well hidden before you leave and I would ask that you help maintain the standard of the cache by placing quality swaps only. As always, be mindful of the local wildlife both good and bad.